A Non-Footy Fan’s Guide to Wearing Soccer Jerseys (2024)

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By Mia Mercado, a Cut contributor covering internet culture

A Non-Footy Fan’s Guide to Wearing Soccer Jerseys (1)

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

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At the overlapping center of sporty dads, a 10-year-old’s wish list, and recent fashion trends lives one anomalous item of clothing: the soccer jersey. (Football jersey for those who aren’t American and/or speak fluent Love Island U.K.)

Stylistically speaking, everyone’s a footy fan. No longer limited to FIFA fandom, and thanks to the overall growing popularity of soccer in the U.S., soccer jerseys have found their way into our wardrobes far beyond the locker room. (It’s also no coincidence that the jersey trend is happening in tandem with the convergence of a few major soccer events: the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the U.S.’s successful bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, and international soccer star Lionel Messi’s recent move to Miami.) They’re being worn by celebrities like Bella Hadid, Julia Fox, and Rihanna. They’ve been on the runway — Balenciaga’s 2023 Resort collection and the 3.Paradis 2024 spring/summer collection both featured models in soccer jerseys. Soccer jerseys have received Kim Kardashian’s stamp of approval and have been in at least one K-pop music video, BLACKPINK’s “Pink Venom.” There are even collaborations between soccer teams and high-end design houses, like Dior and Paris Saint-Germain and Stella McCartney’s Adidas collection for Arsenal Women’s Football Club. Not only are these brands designing the team’s jerseys, they’re putting out clothing collections inspired by soccer uniforms, swapping out models for footballers.

It’s all part of an aesthetic the U.K. calls “blokecore.” Soccer jerseys are the cornerstone of this style, which lives at the natural intersection of streetwear and sportswear. Think of it as a more athletic approach to the recently popular dad fashion or the Gen-Z nephew of Adam Sandlercore. Simply pair a (preferably retro) football-club jersey with Adidas Sambas and oversize jeans, et voilà! You, too, can be a British sports bro. For those whose fashion leans more femme, there is blokette, a combination of blokecore and the dainty, naïve coquette aesthetic. Soccer jerseys can work with bitchy little sunglasses and low-rise pants. They are complimented by giant pit vipers and jorts. You can even style them with tear-away pants and no team affiliation or a belted waist and minimal knowledge of the sport. Such is the unexpected versatility of a soccer jersey.

This all begs the obvious question: Must you be a soccer fan to sport a soccer jersey? Or can you just do it for the fit? Football purists would, of course, subscribe to the former. You certainly risk inviting a conversation about allegiances if you wear a jersey emblazoned with Liverpool one day and rival team Manchester United the next. But as we’ve established, soccer jerseys can be styled in myriad ways. So, accessorize yours with a yellow card and give it out to anyone who questions your outfit choices.

Not sure which team to wear on your top half? Here’s a little guide.

For the New Fan

For the True Fan

Megan Rapinoe has been one of the voices at the forefront of demanding equal pay for the U.S. Women’s National Team and was among the 500 athletes who spoke out against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. That’s as good a reason as any to wear her jersey, fair-weather fans be damned.

For the Fan Who Isn’t Afraid to Pick Sides

So long as you’re fine with people, say, calling you a gooner, there is no shame in picking an Arsenal jersey in the name of aesthetics.

For the Fan Who Is Afraid to Pick Sides

If choosing sides stresses you out, you can’t go wrong with Mia Hamm, one of the most iconic women’s soccer players in the sport’s history.

For the Blokecore-curious

If you don’t want to commit to a jersey, you can ease yourself into the aesthetic with a soccer anthem jacket, like this one for Paris Saint-Germain.

For the Posh Fan

If it’s good enough for Victoria Beckham, it’s good enough for any of us.

For the Retro Fan

Go the route of Kim Kardashian and sport something vintage, like Ronaldo’s 1998 World Cup jersey. Poshmark, Depop, and eBay are a solid place to hunt for retro jerseys. (And “retro Ronaldo jersey” is a solid search term.)

For the Muse

This 2023 Italia jersey is perfect for the fan who wants to pay homage to Uncut Gems muse Julia Fox’s look from Milan Fashion Week.

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A Non-Footy Fan’s Guide to Wearing Soccer Jerseys
A Non-Footy Fan’s Guide to Wearing Soccer Jerseys (2024)

FAQs

How do you style a soccer jersey? ›

But going for a sporty vibe when styling a soccer jersey doesn't have to look like you've just rolled off the pitch. The idea here is to pull from other sports gear you've got in your closet—think running shorts, leggings, or bike shorts.

How do you wear a football jersey casually? ›

This combination can instantly elevate your look,” Singla tells InStyle. “You can try this style by tucking in your jersey with a pair of leather pants, adding white sneakers, and a puffer coat. This is a sporty and chic outfit that works well when going out with friends for co*cktails (or mocktails) to watch the game.”

What is soccer jersey fashion called? ›

The kit is the whole uniform a soccer team wears from the jersey to the shorts down to the socks. But, ironically, the term “kit” is technically misused in most soccer circles. Really, the common usage of the word is the equivalent of the word “jersey” in American sports.

What is the difference between player and fan version jerseys? ›

Fit: Fan jerseys often have a looser fit compared to player jerseys. This design choice allows for a broader range of body types, accommodating fans of all shapes and sizes. Price: Fan jerseys are generally more affordable than player jerseys, making them accessible to a broader audience.

Can you wear a soccer jersey with jeans? ›

Match your soccer jersey with dark sweatpants or jeans and a sneaker that complements it without taking too much attention away from your soccer jersey. You can also pair by Brand, if they are sponsored by adidas, rock your adi's!

How to dress for soccer? ›

If it is warm outside, you should probably choose shorts and a t-shirt or soccer jersey. If it is colder, you can choose sweatpants and a long-sleeve shirt. You may or may not need to wear shin-guards. If you do, wear short socks underneath the shin-guards and long socks over them to keep them in place.

What are fake jerseys called? ›

Replica jerseys use lighter materials like polyester and cotton. They also feature authentic team logos and names but typically don't have authentic stitching. Most of the badges, numbers, and letters on replica jerseys are iron-on rather than stitched.

What do soccer players wear under their jersey? ›

These harnesses—officially, they're called “GPS tracker vests,” though there is nothing vest-like about them—contain, in a small pouch on the back, a small GPS tracking device. Team managers and trainers collect that data to learn precisely how far and how fast players have run in practice and during matches.

Are replica jerseys OK? ›

Authentic jerseys are designed with the best possible technology and fabrics for the highest level of play. They are an exact match to the jerseys you see players wearing on the field. Replica jerseys are made for a fan in the stands - with excellent materials for highest levels of comfort and wear.

How do I style my jersey? ›

You can also pair it with any of your favorite leggings, jeans and sneakers. A jersey is also a great choice for an outfit to wear on game days. Pair a jersey shirt with straight silk pants, pleated, midi skirts, or denim shorts paired with either heels or shoes for a semi-formal look that you can wear to work.

Can you customize a soccer jersey? ›

Of course! You can make soccer jerseys of your own – add your team badge and a logo or message to the front and arms. On the back, you can add a name and number. All customization to the soccer jersey design and shorts is included in the price.

How should a soccer jersey fit? ›

Common soccer jersey fits
  1. Slim fits - Soccer jerseys that fit snugly on the body and may even feel somewhat tight.
  2. Athletic fits - Soccer jerseys that are neither snug nor baggy.
  3. Loose fits - Soccer jerseys may feel somewhat baggy and have wider sleeves or lower necklines.
Sep 16, 2022

How do you make a football jersey look good? ›

Combining your football jersey with leather pieces, such as a leather jacket or pants, can create a bold, edgy look. This is a sporty and chic combination that works well when going out with friends for co*cktails to watch the game.

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