A new Premier League season means new kits for England’s top clubs. Only transfer speculation rivals the amount of press that kit launches receive during the pre-season. Now that the 2016-17 campaign is upon us here are my grades for best dressed in Europe’s most scrutinized domestic league.
Manchester City – Nike – (A+)
A new uniform for a fresh start with a new manager. The two tones of blue in Manchester City’s uniform make it simple but fashion forward. The bold numbers on the back are also top class. The away kit incorporates black and yellow for the worker bee mentality for which the city of Manchester is known. The maroon on the shoulders provides great contrast.
Manchester United – adidas – (A+)
Although it seems plain at first glance, Manchester United have taken a chance with two different shades of red on their jersey. One half is crimson and the other half is scarlet; the two sides are connected in the middle of the jersey like a Lego piece. Adidas has once again decided to move their branded three stripes from the shoulders to the side of the jersey. The stripes are back on the shoulders for the team’s away blue uniforms. The alternate jersey is no longer black, but a clean choice of white with black trim. The design on the shoulders separates this uniform from a run of the mill alternate. United’s third uniform is for me the best one in the Premier League.
Tottenham – Under Armour – (A+)
So many uniforms, so many colours, so many choices for Tottenham supporters. The great thing about what Under Armour has done is use a depth of great, unique looks. I love the gold theme running through all of the uniforms, which is a tip of the hat to the signature cockerels in the stands at White Hart Lane.
Swansea City – Joma – (A)
No team has had a bigger uniform transformation than the Swans. New ownership, new managers and new shirt sponsor means new uniforms. Joma takes over for previous outfitter adidas and BetEast becomes the sponsor. Unlike most, the sponsor logo actually compliments the jersey rather than take away from it. The round-buttoned collar is also a good look whether the jersey is being worn professionally or casually. The away kit incorporates the teal blue from the BetEast sponsorship signage and has it blending into a darker shade of navy as you move down the uniform.
Arsenal – Puma – (B+)
Puma has done a good job recreating the Gunners’ recent uniforms, keeping the values of the shirts worn by the club’s memorable teams in the 1990s. The red stripe down the front of the home kit is a nice touch. The away kit returns to the familiar yellow after being gold last season. The third kit is a nice addition as the black and neon yellow will make Arsenal stand out in cup competitions.
The Gunners even had Jamie Foxx at their kit launch to serenade the new look in style.
Southampton – Under Armour – (B+)
Lots of changes for Southampton. The Saints have a new manager, many new players, and a new kit provided by a new supplier in Under Armour. The traditional red and white stripes remain, but the overall look is bolder and more modern with designs on the breastplate of the home jersey. The same upper body design is on the black away kit that looks really sharp with grey accents. The candy cane socks are also a great touch.
Middlesbrough – adidas – (B)
Back in the Premier league and back with some blue in their uniform for the first time since 2000 is Middlesbrough. I like that adidas has done something different with the all too traditional soccer sash and this time utilized it solely at the bottom of the jersey. I also like the bright blue socks and three-tone chevron of the away kit.
Chelsea – adidas – (B-)
Like many adidas uniforms the stripes have moved to down the side of the rib cage rather than the sleeves. The lion logo is woven across the shirt. The away kit for the West London club is much better, boasting neon yellow trim with short adidas stripes on the shoulders playing well off of the black top with grey horizontal detailing. The white third kit goes from one of their best ever to one of their most boring.
The worst part about the blues kit launch is the promotional photos.
Liverpool – New Balance – (B-)
Liverpool’s new uniforms are a tribute to the 1977 team that brought home the club’s first European Cup. The change of the accent colour being gold, rather than white, is a nice choice as it makes the home kit more dynamic. The away kit is their best: black with silver lettering and red trim. The Liver bird crest is also made to signify the first European trophy being brought back to Anfield. I applaud them for taking a chance with their third kit that has a lime green body and grey shoulders. They definitely will stand out away from home this season.
Watford – Dryworld – (B-)
If you like supporting Canadian businesses this is the jersey for you. Just six years old, Canadian company Dryworld is the supplier of Watford’s uniform. The move from Puma and the bumblebee jerseys paid off as the retro look worked in this instance. There’s not much difference from the home and away kits outside of the primary colours. Both jerseys have old school collars with buttoned necks. The red stripe on the colour and down the side of the away kit works well. The yellow tone of the away uniform is quite harsh.
West Bromwich Albion – adidas – (B-)
The navy and white with vertical stripes remains, which means these jerseys are largely unchanged. However, adidas added a splash of light blue to help the collar and the sleeves stand out. The black away kits with cyan blue pinstripes are the best of the two looks. Pinstripes can be controversial among soccer fans but this is the best look adidas has given West Brom since they took over the account from Umbro in 2011.
Sunderland – adidas – (C+)
This kit isn’t that different to many others in the Premier league and it isn’t that different to what Sunderland wore last year. The stripes are now gold instead of black, which is a nice touch. Their third kit is very different than anything we’ve ever seen with a pink and purple design. The horizontal lines with contrasting diagonal lines give the kit even more punch. They look more like a uniform for an all-star game, but kudos to them for trying to mix it up. Their away kit also has purple but this time as the complimentary colour with white top and shorts being the dominant colours.
