Football fashion through the decades: 1980s-2020s - sportsnewsfoot

Football fashion continues to grow and evolve as the beautiful game expands, transforming a once utilitarian aesthetic into a hobby of complete self-expression.

The wider world of fashion has undoubtedly changed over the decades, affecting the styles we see on some of our favourite athletes and stars. Whether it be the rise of streetwear in the 1990s, the influence of hip-hop in the early 2000s or the modern day players posing in front of flashing cameras, fashion has been an ever-changing landscape.

But which decade had the biggest impact in the game? 90min takes a trip through time to uncover football fashion through the years.

Hooliganism and the rise of football casuals dominated the 1980s. A decade remembered for bold and extravagant choices became a pivotal moment in football fashion, embracing the move from relaxed match wear attire to recognised brands and trends.

The football casuals were the pioneers of adapting premium stylish pieces into everyday outfits. This was the first time footballers and fans alike had really started to experiment with self-expression, taking inspiration from the likes of Italy and Germany and bringing their newfound style to the terraces of British clubs.

On the pitch, the decade was all about Diego Maradona – a character whose talent was recognised beyond just football fans. The Argentinian was an icon, so if he wore a patterned polo shirt, it would soon fly off the shelves.

Maradona embodied a lot of what the 1980s stood for, donning bright, colourful and athletic outfits in his downtime.

The 80s offered the perfect opportunity for fans to step into fashion choices that would hang around for decades later. In fact, adidas Gazelles remain a sought after shoe, just like they were then.

David Beckham was the symbol of the 1990s – both on the pitch and off it. The former Manchester United star is recognised as one of the first footballers to reach the heights of celebrity level and his relationship with Spice Girls’ Victoria Beckham transcended his fame to new levels.

The 90s truly were the golden age of football fashion, with the rise of models taking sportswear off the pitch and onto red carpets.

Beckham in particular had an immeasurable influence on fashion. He was the catalyst that softened the backlash forward-thinking athletes had previously received, becoming a brand as well as a talented sportsman.

This decade gave players a platform to express their hobbies and interests away from the pitch, utilising their celebrity status to sell products and influence trends. For fans, this was a time of change, welcoming the arrival of large logos and bold designs.

In the 90s, football shirts became more than just athleisure. Suddenly, supporters were pairing iconic shirts with a pair of jeans, stepping onto the street in outfits that would’ve previously never left the pitch.

This era made way for so many cultural moments – Liverpool became the Spice Boys, Euro ’96 brought around the Three Lions anthem and the sport underwent a huge period of transformation, allowing fans to rediscover their love of the game.

The late 1990s bled into the early 2000s, continuing the rise of celebrity culture and streetwear trends. Films such as Step Up and Honey demonstrated the impact of hip-hop culture on fashion, with low-rise jeans and trainers key components of early 00s style.

The stars that had made an impact in the 90s also did so in the following decade, while new talents joined them at the top. Cristiano Ronaldo stood out in this decade, and after the success of Beckham, began to partner with brands such as Dolce and Gabbana and Calvin Klein.

Soon, footballers were the faces of billboard campaigns and fashion magazines, using their influence in sport to welcome a whole host of new fans to the style landscape. While players such as Beckham, Ronaldo and Neymar began to influence hairstyles, trends and football kits, the 2000s welcomed new fashion statements and saw non-football fans embrace the sport’s apparel.

But, the 2000s also came with a newfound trend. Fans began to long for the nostalgia of the 1980s and 1990s – spawning the creation of throwback designs.

adidas, Nike and Umbro dug through their archives to reimagine some of their most iconic designs while sports brands dominated high streets.

Luxury labels continued to propel to the top, while players also took further steps to show their personality off the pitch.

Attitudes towards football fashion changed, for the better, in the 2010s. Players were finally able to break away from a stigma that had overshadowed their influence in the fashion world, showing up on red carpets and using social media to share their views with a wider audience.

The introduction of an online audience catapulted players to places they’d never been before, allowing them to connect with brands and write their own narratives. Former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin made consistent appearances at fashion weeks, witnessing greatness from the seats before stepping up to model himself.

Brands also began to introduce football inspired collections, picking up on the growing legacy of sportswear fashion and bringing the designs to a mainstream audience.

Nike and adidas in particular started to work with athletes and celebrities to create bespoke apparel. Footballers names were plastered all over clothing and shoes, selling dreams and products faster than ever before.

Technology also began to change, and therefore so did football kits. New materials, innovations and technology made kits lighter than ever before, slipping away from the heavy shirts and huge collars of the past.

By the time the 2010s arrived, footballers had become a huge part of celebrity culture. Their platforms and influence were suddenly bigger than ever before.

Fast forward to the 2020s and the margin between football and fashion is increasingly blurred. Modern day players are now in a space where they are able to grab opportunities with both hands, whether that be modelling the latest Louis Vuitton collection at London Fashion Week or featuring in bold campaigns that remain in the public eye forever.

Footballers are now celebrated for their influence on the fashion world, with Declan Rice striding down the red carpet at the Emirates in September and Jules Kounde rocking up to Paris Fashion Week in full glam.

Teams now compete to be the best dressed footballers in the game, experimenting with luxury garments and perfected outfits to shine off the pitch as well as on it.

Brands continue to realise the potential of football collaborations, while players grasp the potential to propel their reputation.

The decade is still in its early stages and, with the ever-changing landscape of football fashion, anything is possible.

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