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Football apparel has evolved over the decades from long pants and heavy shirts to the micro-fiber technological wonders of today. As styles shifted from year to year, the fundamental football uniform has changed color, length, and details. What hasn't changed, however, is the general makeup of the gear each team wears. There are regulations that must be followed in each league regarding the player identification system (numbers on the backs of shirts), and the types of cleats that are allowed. Most teams also include several sponsor logos on their modern uniforms to advertise the companies that provide them with the funding they need to play.
The Basic Kit
Football apparel is relatively straightforward. Since the game is played on such a large field, the lightest clothing possible is usually the best. Football is played in a team shirt with the player's number emblazoned across the back. The players today wear shorts that only go down to about mid-thigh. The socks can be knee length or shorter, depending upon style preference. Football cleats finish off the uniform, and there are many varieties of cleats that are worn by professionals and amateurs.
Football Shirt Styles
The most interesting element of football apparel by far is the football shirt. This creatively colorful jersey only has two requirements - that the player's number be displayed prominently, and that the whole team wears matching shirts. The goalie is the only member of the team who has the option to wear a different shirt, and they usually opt for something that is easily recognizable from a distance. Traditional football shirts had thin vertical stripes of alternating colors, but as time and technology have advanced, the patterns and colors of football shirts have become more and more creative. Today you will see swirls of color, blocks of alternating colors, patterns that fade into one another, and every other imaginable shirt design.
Football Shoes
The most practical piece of football apparel is the choice of cleats. This is the one element of the uniform that can vary from player to player, even if they are on the same team. A player's footwear is incredibly important, as it directly affects the player's ability to maneuver quickly and handle the ball well. Turf shoes are generally used in football. Turf shoes have smaller cleats that will provide traction without digging too deeply into the turf - so the player can shift directions quickly without fear of twisting an ankle or knee.
Socks Finish it Off
Socks can add a touch of whimsy to football apparel. Most teams wear socks that stretch up to the knee. The socks can be a solid color to match the uniform shirt, or they may have horizontal stripes to add a little bit of interest to the design. When a team chooses to wear stockings that have stripes or patterns, it can create a unique visual when they begin to run up and down the pitch. Striped stockings echo the traditional stylings of the late 1800s.
