HISTORY UNFOLDED
1920s
Resembled rugby uniforms. Knit beanies. Lace-up collars. Dick Kerr Ladies, a famous factory team from Preston, attracted a crowd of over 53,000, with 10-15,000 more reportedly turned away due to full capacity. The women's game in the UK was rapidly growing, before December 5th 1921 when a 50-year ban ensued with the excuse that football was "quite unsuitable" for females.
1930s
Football kits started to feature more lightweight, linen-based fabrics, but the hats, and unconventional fabric remained. Although women were banned professionally, that didn't stop sisters Irene and Clive from organising their own games against each other.
1940s
Football kits followed the fashion trends of the time, replacing functionally for aesthetics. South London Ladies FC played in a heavy knit top, a suede skirt and very questionable footwear...
1950s
Football kits leant into the infamous rise of the skort and more suitable leather footwear. Polo shirts with dramatic collars became a staple, seen on many retro kits to date.
1960s
Football kits got smaller with high-rise mini shorts and tight-fitting tops. With big global fashion changes, including the rise of mini skirts and more freeing silhouettes, kits became more breathable and functional. And we spy a certain OG football boot...
1970s
Football kits became more exercise-friendly with the introduction of more sweat friendly materials. In 1971, the ban on women's football was finally lifted 50 years after it's instigation. As competitive professional women's leagues started to develop, so too did their kits.
1980/90s
Football kits featured synthetic fibres and performance-focused details. However, women's teams were forced to wear leftover men's kits in ridiculous sizes, seen on Silvia Neid playing in a Euro Qualifier for Germany.
2000/2010s
Football kits continued to advance with technological discoveries regarding sweat-wicking fabrics and optimal silhouettes for comfort. Women's teams started to get sizes that fit them, but a lot of kits were still men's sizing.
2019
Nike created the first ever women's-only jersey for the Lionesses heading to the 2019 World Cup, both home and away. They were made with a women's body in mind to support female athletic performance. The collection also included an anthem jacket, training apparel, and an off-pitch collection.
2023
The iconic Arsenal x Stella McCartney collab was the first ever women's-only kit in the Women's Super League, and it was a fan favourite.
2024/25
Nike launched an entire third kit collection to be worn by both the women's and men's teams, inspired by the rise of the women's game. These unique kits featured a stacked, vertical Nike Swoosh to celebrate the rapid positive growth of the women's game.
