With the growing trend of incorporating sportswear into everyday outfits, styling your favourite football shirt is more of an art than a simple wardrobe choice. After all, everyone knows there's a fine line between looking like a dedicated supporter, and an over-enthusiastic mascot!
Of course, owning a high-quality retro football shirt from TOFFS does a lot of the work for you. The timeless appeal of vintage football shirts means they are a lot easier to incorporate into a stylish ensemble than a modern kit from the club shop - but it's still worth considering a few basic fashion principles to make sure you look your best.
In this blog post, we'll explore the various ways to style football shirts to create a fashionable, yet authentic fan look. Whether you're dressing for a match or just sporting your team's colours with pride, there's no reason you can't look stylish while doing so.
How to Colour-Coordinate with Your Football Shirt:
The first step to styling your football shirt is ensuring it coordinates well with the rest of your outfit. This is not a one-size-fits-all consideration - an outfit that matches well with the bright yellows of a Brazil 1970 World Cup shirt isn't necessarily going to pair quite as well with the deep blues of a France 1966 shirt, or the pure white of a classic England strip!
This means you'll need to consider your team's primary kit colour, and aim to match or complement this with your other clothing items. Pairing your shirt with items in the same colour family creates a cohesive and polished look; for example, if you're wearing a predominantly red Arsenal shirt, you can incorporate this colour into your outfit through accessories like scarves, socks or shoes.
Many teams also use a secondary colour in the design of their jerseys, and you can play with this to add further visual interest to your outfit. For example, if you favour a blue-and-white-striped classic Brighton & Hove Albion shirt, perhaps try layering it with a jacket that also features these colours.
It's also important to balance out the look with some neutral colours, to avoid an overly chaotic or overwhelming appearance. Temper bold colours with neutral shades such as black, grey or beige - if you're wearing a sky-blue Manchester City shirt, you might want opt for black trousers and a grey jacket to keep your outfit grounded.
What to Wear Over the Top of a Football Jersey
Layering is an essential aspect of styling football kits, allowing you to adapt to different weather conditions and occasions while still showcasing your team’s colours. Here are some popular layering options to consider:
- Bomber jackets - a classic bomber jacket adds a touch of terrace aesthetic to your outfit while keeping you warm. Wear one in a complementary colour or a neutral shade to ensure your football shirt remains the outfit’s focus.
- Denim jackets - for a more casual look, a denim jacket is the perfect choice. Pair a light wash denim jacket with a darker shirt, or vice versa, to create contrast and make a stylish statement.
- Blazers - to elevate your football shirt for a smarter occasion, try pairing it with a well-tailored blazer. A dark navy or charcoal grey blazer works well with most football shirt colours, creating a sophisticated yet sporty ensemble.
- Harrington jackets - a Harrington jacket is a 20th century classic in football which still stands the test of time. . At TOFFS, we have a wide range of Harrington jackets to complete any ensemble, including stylish unbranded options as well as club-specific items.
How to Choose Matching Trousers and Shoes:
The key to nailing the perfect football shirt outfit lies in selecting the right trousers and shoes. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
- For the trousers, dress in slim-but-not-skinny-fit chinos, jeans or tailored trousers to create a sleek silhouette. Colour-coordinate with your shirt by either matching the primary colour or choosing a neutral hue that complements the shirt's palette.
- For the shoes, trainers are the most popular choice for styling football shirts, adding a laid-back vibe to your outfit that channels the essence of the sport. Opt for classic white trainers or a pair in your team's colours for a coordinated look. Alternatively, if you're going for a smarter appearance, a pair of loafers or brogues worn in a neutral shade can look fantastic.
How to Accessorise
Accessories are the finishing touches that can make or break your football shirt ensemble. Here are some suggestions for helping your outfit really stand out:
- Scarves - a scarf in your team's colours is an easy way to inject personality and additional style into your look. Drape it loosely around your neck or loop it in a European knot for a refined appearance.
- Hats - from beanies to snapbacks, hats are a great accessory for showcasing your team spirit. Choose a hat in a colour that complements your shirt or features your team's logo for a cohesive look.
- Socks - make a subtle statement with socks in your team's colours or featuring their crest. This can be a fun, yet understated way to incorporate your football pride into your outfit.
Watches and bracelets - to add a touch of sophistication to your football shirt ensemble, consider wearing a stylish watch or bracelet. Opt for pieces in metallic tones like silver, gold, or rose gold that complement your outfit's colour scheme. - Bags - whether it's a backpack, messenger bag, or tote, choose a bag that complements your football shirt and ties your outfit together. Opt for a bag in a neutral shade, or go bold with one in your team's colours or featuring their logo.
Styling football shirts doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right colour coordination, layering options and carefully chosen accessories, you can create a fashionable outfit that showcases your team's pride in a sophisticated manner.
Don't forget to browse TOFFS' range of replica retro football shirts to find the perfect centrepiece for your winning ensemble. All of our old-school football kits are manufactured by hand using 100% cotton, so whether you're attending a match, heading to an event or simply hanging out with friends, there's no better way to ensure you look like a truly fashion-forward fan!
