Soccer fashion continues to grow and evolve as the beautiful game expands, transforming a once used aesthetic into a hobby of complete self-expression.
The wider world of fashion has certainly changed over the decades, affecting the styles we see on some of our favorite athletes and stars. Whether it’s the rise of streetwear in the 90s, the influence of hip-hop in the early 2000s, or modern players posing for flashing cameras, fashion has been an ever-changing landscape.
But which decade had the biggest impact on the game? 90 minutes takes a trip back in time to discover football fashion over the years.
Hooliganism and the rise of football casuals dominated the 1980s. A decade remembered for daring and extravagant choices became a pivotal moment in football fashion, which embraced the transition from relaxed match wear to recognized brands and trends.
Football casuals were the pioneers in adapting premium style pieces to everyday wear. This was the first time that footballers and fans really began to experiment with self-expression, taking inspiration from the likes of Italy and Germany and bringing their new style to the terraces of British clubs.
On the pitch, the decade was all about Diego Maradona, a figure whose talent was recognized beyond football fans. The Argentine was an icon, so if he wore a printed polo shirt, it would soon be flying off the shelves.
Maradona embodied much of what the 1980s stood for, dressing in bright, colorful and sporty outfits during his downtime.
The 80s provided the perfect opportunity for fans to get into fashion choices that would stick around for decades later. In fact, adidas Gazelles are still a sought-after shoe, just as they were back then.
David Beckham was the symbol of the 1990s, both on and off the pitch. the first Manchester United The star is recognized as one of the first footballers to reach celebrity status and her relationship with Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls took her fame to new heights.
The 90s were truly the golden age of football fashion, with the rise of models taking the sportswear off the pitch and onto the red carpets.
Beckham, in particular, had an immeasurable influence on fashion. He was the catalyst that softened the backlash that avant-garde athletes had previously received, becoming a brand and a talented athlete.
This decade gave players a platform to express their hobbies and interests off the pitch, using their celebrity status to sell products and influence trends. For fans, this was a time of change, welcoming the arrival of big logos and bold designs.
In the 1990s, soccer jerseys became more than just a sport. Suddenly fans were pairing iconic shirts with jeans and taking to the streets in outfits that would never have left the pitch before.
This era gave way to so many cultural moments: Liverpool became the Spice Boys, Euro’96 brought the anthem of the Three Lions and the sport underwent a period of great transformation, allowing fans to rediscover their love for the game.
The late 1990s came into the early 2000s, continuing the rise of celebrity culture and streetwear trends. Movies like Step Up and Honey demonstrated the impact of hip-hop culture on fashion, with jeans and low-top sneakers key components of early 2000s style.
The stars who had made an impact in the 90s also did so in the following decade, while new talent joined them at the top. Cristiano Ronaldo stood out in this decade, and after Beckham’s success, he began to associate with brands such as Dolce and Gabbana and Calvin Klein.
Soon, footballers were the faces of billboard campaigns and fashion magazines, using their sporting influence to welcome a whole host of new fans to the style scene. While players such as Beckham, Ronaldo and Neymar began influencing hairstyles, trends and football gear, the 2000s welcomed new fashion statements and saw non-football fans embrace the clothes of this sport.
But, the 2000s also brought a new trend. Fans began to crave the nostalgia of the 80s and 90s, leading to the creation of throwback designs.
Adidas, Nike and Umbro delved into their archives to reimagine some of their most iconic designs as sports brands dominated the high street.
Luxury labels continued to push themselves to the top, while players also took more steps to show their personalities off the pitch.
#tbt pic.twitter.com/M1LXyye6lT
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) October 11, 2018
Attitudes towards football fashion changed for the better in the 2010s. Players were finally able to break with a stigma that had overshadowed their influence in the fashion world, appearing on red carpets and wearing social networks to share their views with a wider audience.
The introduction of an online audience catapulted players to places they had never been before, allowing them to connect with brands and write their own narratives. Former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin made regular appearances at fashion weeks, witnessing the greatness from the seats before modeling.
Brands also began introducing football-inspired collections, picking up on the growing legacy of sportswear fashion and bringing the designs to a mainstream audience.
Nike and adidas in particular began working with athletes and celebrities to create custom apparel. Football players’ names were plastered all over the clothes and shoes, selling dreams and products faster than ever.
Technology also began to change and so did football equipment. New materials, innovations and technology made kits lighter than ever, escaping the heavy shirts and bulky collars of the past.
By the time the 2010s rolled around, footballers had become a major part of celebrity culture. Their platforms and influence were suddenly greater than ever.
Fast forward to the 2020s and the line between football and fashion is becoming increasingly blurred. Today’s players are now in a space where they can grab opportunities with both hands, whether modeling the latest Louis Vuitton collection at London Fashion Week or bold campaigns that will stay in the public eye forever
Footballers are now known for their influence on the fashion world, with Declan Rice walking the red carpet in the Emirates in September i Jules Kounde is approaching Paris Fashion Week in full glam
Now the teams compete to be the best dressed footballers in the game, experimenting with luxury pieces and perfected outfits to shine both off the field and on it.
Brands continue to realize the potential of football collaborations, while players take advantage of the potential to boost their reputations.
The decade is still in its early stages and with the ever-changing landscape of football fashion, anything is possible.
