The 5 best items of football fashion created during lockdown

It has been a strange time for football fans. The game has never been through such extraordinary times; fixture lists have been paused indefinitely, stadiums are empty, players have had their feet up, and people have been wondering what they’re supposed to do with their weekends. 

But football fashion certainly hasn’t stopped. In such a time of unprecedented crisis, football fans, clubs, creatives, and artists have been producing new and original items of clothing, often to raise money for causes that are helping us through this pandemic. It has been a brilliant way for the football world to adapt to this new landscape and bring the global fan community together - even if this time it’s not for their team’s cause but for a charitable cause. 

Here’s a rundown of our favourite creations we’ve seen:

1. Hibernian’s NHS shirt

Everyone has been quick to recognise the health heroes who have got us through this pandemic, but Scottish club Hibernian have made it permanent. With a special design on their home strip dedicated to Scotland’s National Health Service, not only does the kit look great, but we love that they’re dedicating a valuable sponsor space to a group of people who have sacrificed so much. We’ll take this over an Angry Birds sponsor any day.

2. The Art of Football NHS shirt and hat

And dedications to the NHS haven’t stopped there in Britain. Art of Football, a design studio that produces high-quality football creations, have created the NHS shirt. The design is based on England’s third kit from Italia ‘90, an iconic strip whose dashes of blue and white live long in the memory of fans. The shirt is accompanied by a bucket hat of the same design, and the proceeds of both are going to a charity providing meals for all healthcare staff.

3. The UNITED hat by Georgina Hunt

This has been a time of unity. Not only has the world come together, but football has come together, and that’s why we love this hat, it’s a brilliant visual representation of exactly that. A one-off piece created by independent sportswear designer Georgina Hunt, the bucket hat is hand-stitched using a variety of football shirts to create an item that shows the united community of football. Money raised goes to Black Lives Matter and Kick It Out, a charity working to fight racism in football.

4. Pescara and Codogno’s fan designs

Italian shirt manufacturer Errea quickly realised there was untapped creative potential sitting at home. So, some of their clubs ran competitions for fans to submit their designs for their team’s shirts - and these two for Pescara and Codogno are our favourites. With winning designs by two young kids, James and Luigi, they signify not only original design and brilliant fan engagement, but also a rainbow of hope during coronavirus.

5. Le Ballon FC ''La pausa'' shirt 

A simple, everyday creation from Paris-based football league and independent fashion studio Le Ballon FC. Their original tee, La Pausa, is named after both the brief moment a playmaker delays his pass to get the striker in the ideal position, and the pause from football and normal life we have found ourselves in recently. It features a simple design on the front, and a quote describing the concept behind the t-shirt on the back. All proceeds go to providing French healthcare workers with Personal Protective Equipment - a stylish, everyday piece doing good for the world.