Vintage retro soccer jerseys are a bit puzzling to understand. Initially, a soccer jersey was just a shirt. It was made to be functional and serve its purpose, whether for a player to compete in or for fans supporting a team. There are now lots of soccer jerseys to choose from, and they are just as affordable as they are plentiful. Soccer jerseys have now turned into collectibles. Vintage retro soccer jerseys are a perfect example of the intersection of various forms of niche culture: the collision of the crossroads of sports, the history of textiles, and the intersection of culture.
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Hence, for the collector of classic football shirts to be a reputable collector, they need to consider the fusion of 3 main elements: the creation of the shirt, the era of diffusion, the design, and the culture, the period in history that the shirt was created in. There is a vintage market for these shirts, and in this technical overview, I will describe the vintage market, the unique characteristics of vintage football shirts, the classic kits, and the original versus reissue football shirts.
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Defining Retro Soccer Jerseys
When defining retro soccer jerseys, it is important to note that retro/j vintage jerseys are from a minimum of 15 – 20 years ago, and that they are originally from a single team. If you happen to stumble across a single jersey that is not a modern jersey, you can rest assured it is not a sports jersey.
For historians and collectors alike, these jerseys are physical pieces of the history of sports. A given jersey may symbolize the revolutionary tactics of a given manager or the record-breaking feats of a certain player. The reminiscing and nostalgia associated with these outfits increase the demand for collectors to spend to acquire a piece of history.
Collecting Soccer Jerseys
Collecting jerseys has become a popular hobby and certain jerseys even become timeless pieces.
Legend of Maradona and the Retro 90s Jerseys
Possibly, the most well-known and treasured history piece jersey is the 1994 Tournament Argentina jersey, worn by the legendary Diego Maradona. The jersey was designed with deep blue colors and diamond-pattern side panels and is often remembered for its bold geometric design of the 90s.
The 90s is considered to be the golden age of football shirt design. Companies like Adidas and Umbro started experimenting with sublimation printing, resulting in more detailed and intricate designs. One of the most recognized jerseys of the era is the West Germany 1990 home jersey, which was designed with graphic representations of the flag across the chest. The bruised banana jersey, designed for the Arsenal football team, is also another popular example.
World Cup Relics
Shirts from World Cup events are among the most valuable pieces in the football memorabilia market. Due to the exposure the tournaments bring, jerseys from the World Cups from 1970 and 1994 of Brazil, or the 1966 red England away shirt have become staples in the vintage market. These jerseys evoke nostalgia and represent the time and identity of the respective country.
Vintage Football Shirt Collecting
Whether it is for great investment or historical collection purposes, building a collection of vintage football shirts requires a lot of thought and strategy.
Narrowing Down a Collection
There are a number of avenues to explore to become a collector.
Club or Nation: The history of a nation or a club, for example, a Manchester United collection, is a great piece of history to have.
Player: The collection of jerseys linked to a particular player.
Era: This collection’s focus is narrowed down to a particular decade, for example, the 80s or 90s.
Manufacturer: This collection focus is narrowed down to a particular brand or a couple of brands, for example, Kappa or Hummel.
There is a huge market for collectors of popular vintage football shirts as teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool have a long and extensive history of football shirt designs. There is also a growing market for more selective collections from obscure teams or defunct leagues.
Market Trends
Over the past few years, vintage soccer jerseys have gained in popularity. Exciting record prices have been achieved at auction for match-worn jerseys in the thousands. This trend is not exclusive to jersey collectors. A growing number of people are embracing the vintage sportswear style and spending money on affordable replicas, which has increased the prices of vintage sportswear.
Where to Buy Vintage Soccer Jerseys
Buying vintage soccer jerseys (or any item for that matter) online always comes with the risk of receiving a counterfeit product. In order to avoid this, it is important to have knowledge of the market and to identify the real item.
Shops and Online Marketplaces
Shops, such as Classic Football Shirts, are reputable and carry authentic vintage soccer jerseys. On online marketplaces such as eBay and Depop, it is possible for buyers to buy and sell directly to one another, with the risk of counterfeit products. This method of obtaining vintage soccer jerseys is not as common as it is with dedicated shops, and it is important that buyers have experience and knowledge on how to identify counterfeit products so that they are able to recognize authentic vintage soccer jerseys.
Tips for Buying Vintage Soccer Jerseys
When purchasing a vintage soccer jersey, examine the following areas to be sure it is authentic:
Look for product codes: All major companies, such as Nike and Adidas, have internal tags on the jerseys. Season these tags are replicated, and the products tend not to be very reliable.
Research the details: Some vintage soccer jerseys tend to use pressed vinyl (or not use it), old jerseys are pressed with vinyl, which creates a cheap and fake look.
Look at the fabric: Original 90s jerseys are often different and tricky to create. In modern counterfeit jerseys, the fabric is often smooth to the touch, which contrasts with the textured fabric found in the original 90s jerseys.
Reissue Retro Jerseys and Custom Jerseys
As the number of original vintage shirts shrinks due to demand, the production of reissued and custom jerseys emerges.
The Expansion of Custom and Reissued Jerseys
Well-known manufacturers prioritize the design and release of custom retro jerseys. Fans of vintage jerseys and jerseys of iconic teams can now enjoy the value of a reissued collectible. Fans can now enjoy reproductions of vintage jerseys that do not have the fragility of a 30-year-old original.
Modern reproductions of retro jerseys may feature contemporary fabrics and fits. Collectors may find it useful to learn the difference between a “score draw” retro remake and a genuine vintage period jersey.
A Valid Passion for Collecting Vintage Soccer Jerseys
A true passion for collecting vintage soccer jerseys is evident when it can be seen as a historical archiving of the sport. As the market continues to grow, new collectors may find the line bordering between an investment-caliber vintage jersey and a casual piece of clothing to be fine. As a collector, part of the value of the jersey lies in the authenticity of the piece , the historical importance of the textile, and the overall quality of the preserved jersey.
