Why Were 2010s Football Kits So…UGLY.

Summary

The video explores the often-overlooked decline in football shirt designs throughout the 2010s. Despite the presence of top players, the decade saw kits experimenting with uncomfortable fits, questionable materials, and unoriginal designs. The video critiques various teams, including Liverpool, Spurs, and Barcelona, for poor kit choices, while highlighting standout moments like Nigeria's 2018 kit and Juventus’ 2019-2020 design. It also reflects on how football shirts began transitioning into streetwear culture and the rising influence of unethical sponsors. Overall, the 2010s marked a low point in football kit history, with high prices and disappointing designs tarnishing the experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2010s saw football shirts experiment with designs, materials, and fits, often resulting in unpopular and uncomfortable kits.
• 😀 Retro football kits became fashionable during the 2010s due to their looser, baggier fit, making them popular for streetwear.
• 😀 Arsenal and Spurs’ kits in the early 2010s were criticized for poor fit, especially their skin-tight designs that were seen as uncomfortable and unflattering.
• 😀 Liverpool's kits in the 2010s were negatively impacted by the Warrior brand, which struggled to create successful designs despite the club’s historic appeal.
• 😀 The 2010s saw an increase in unethical sponsors on football kits, particularly gambling companies, with a significant rise in gambling sponsors by the end of the decade.
• 😀 Football shirts in the 2010s were increasingly embraced by pop culture, with celebrities like Drake and Snoop Dogg wearing kits that had no connection to the sport.
• 😀 Kit manufacturers like PUMA and Under Armour made bold design decisions that often didn't resonate with fans, with notable failures at clubs like AC Milan and Liverpool.
• 😀 In Spain, Real Madrid’s kits were seen as having a royal, clean aesthetic, while Barcelona's designs fluctuated, with some shirts, like the 2012-2013 away kit, criticized for being poorly designed.
• 😀 Many 2010s kits had repetitive designs, especially with big brands like Nike and Adidas, leading to a lack of creativity in shirt designs across European football.
• 😀 The rise of brand collaborations in the 2010s, like PSG's partnership with Jordan, marked the shift of football shirts into mainstream fashion, prioritizing style over function.

Q & A

What was the general fashion trend for football shirts in the early 2010s?

The early 2010s were marked by awkward fashion choices in football shirts, particularly in the UK. Football shirt designs were often criticized for their poor fit, with some shirts appearing uncomfortably tight or unflattering.

Why was the 2018 Nigeria football shirt considered an iconic piece?

The 2018 Nigeria football shirt became an iconic piece due to its bold and unique design, coupled with its cultural significance. It gained massive popularity, with many UK fans searching for Nigerian heritage just to wear the shirt.

What was the issue with the fit of football shirts in the 2010s?

In the 2010s, football shirt manufacturers experimented with tighter, more skin-tight fits, which were uncomfortable for many players and fans. This shift from baggier, retro styles led to complaints about the lack of comfort and practicality.

What was the problem with Arsenal and Spurs football kits in the mid-2010s?

Arsenal and Spurs kits in the mid-2010s were criticized for their poor fit, which seemed to both alienate fans and make the shirts uncomfortable. The designs were seen as attempts to modernize, but they failed in terms of both comfort and aesthetics.

How did Liverpool's football kits change during the 2010s?

Liverpool's football kits in the 2010s were largely impacted by the arrival of Warrior as the kit manufacturer, which failed to create popular or well-received designs. The kits, such as the 2013-2014 away kit, were particularly criticized for their poor quality.

What role did kit manufacturers like Warrior and Under Armour play in the decline of football shirt designs in the 2010s?

Kit manufacturers like Warrior and Under Armour struggled to create memorable or quality designs for top clubs, which contributed to a general decline in creativity and quality in football shirts during the 2010s.

What was the impact of unethical sponsors on football shirts in the 2010s?

In the 2010s, there was a significant rise in unethical sponsors, especially gambling companies, appearing on football shirts. This shift led to a distasteful association between clubs and sponsors like gambling companies, which was viewed as a negative trend in football shirt culture.

How did the popularity of football shirts in pop culture evolve in the 2010s?

The 2010s saw football shirts become a part of streetwear and pop culture, with celebrities like Drake and Snoop Dogg wearing football kits regardless of their connection to the sport. This shift marked football shirts as fashionable items outside the stadium.

What were some of the standout international football shirts from the 2010s?

Notable international football shirts from the 2010s included Japan’s 2018 kit, which was highly regarded as one of the best international football shirts ever, and Mexico’s 2014 shirt, which stood out for its cultural design.

Why were the football kits of Spanish clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid criticized during the 2010s?

Barcelona’s kits in the 2010s were seen as lacking creativity, especially with designs like the 2012-2013 away kit. Real Madrid, however, was praised for having clean, royal-looking kits, but their designs were sometimes criticized for being too simple or repetitive.