The nation has once again been swept up by football fever, with Southgate’s England looking like the real deal ahead of their semi final against Denmark. But what do you wear for that semi final and then for what could well be the biggest match in English football history since 1966? While some opt for authentic replica and others like to go down the retro route, here’s a collection of alternate shirts to show your support.
With the spiralling cost of modern replica coupled with the lack of availability, fans have understandably been looking at alternatives to show off their support. The retro route is a niche that Score Draw have dominated recently, but fans' shirt choices are no longer restricted to proper on-pitch apparel. There now exists a range of products that have been created by artists, musicians, and other brands, all putting their own unique spin on showing your support for England. Is football actually coming home? Course it is. Best be dressed and ready for the occasion.
Art of Football Reworked Euros Collection
The first instalment from those creative geniuses known collectively as Art of Football focused on the home nations set to compete at EURO 2020. For England, that saw pieces inspired by iconic moments, from Beckham’s deadly deliveries to Sven unleashing a young Wayne Rooney in ’04. Chief among the collection was that shirt with the three enlarged lions dominating the upper. Feels a little cricket, but we're all over it.
Taking aim at several nations that they didn't sponsor, adidas produced alternate shirts for France, Senegal, USA, the Netherlands, and of course, England. Due to the lack of any licensing agreements there's no Three Lions in sight. Instead, the England shirt features a spinning graphic emanating from a lion head crest (think the Thundercats logo and you’re pretty much there) and that crest is in focus on the nape of the neck. It’s all served up on the deep red base that England often use as their away colours.
The Umbro x Loyle Carner FC shirt is based on the England Euro 2000 design, Carner's favourite Three Lions shirt. Again, no Three Lions here, replaced instead by the hip hop artist's special 'Loyle FC' crest, which sits alongside the iconic number '7' in red on the front and back of the shirt.
Farah x SoccerBible England Goodison T-Shirt In White
Inspired by many cultural and design nuances of European football nations, the Farah x SoccerBible collection presented a range of timeless silhouettes, as well as celebrating Farah's heritage in football culture. For the England options, inspiration came from the graphic carpets and bold decor of a traditional English pub, this tee features a striking all-over prints. Different option to the regular football shirt mould.
Art of Football NHS England Shirt
Launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in celebration of the work of all healthcare workers, the NHS England shirt saw a play on the iconic Italia '90 shirt, which we'll see plenty more of later in this list. Three Lions present and accounted for, along with several call outs to the NHS, including that sublimated graphic that runs through the body.
A radical spin on a British classic, the Umbro x Barny Fletcher shirt redesigned the England 1990 Home Jersey. It comes complete with a signature badge – a Verlimont FC Crest – and it sees a striking sublimated print of a three-headed lion dominate the body – an obvious nod to the Three Lions. That’s alongside the familiar detailing on the collar and sleeves. Strong design, but limited to 400 pieces on release back in August 2020, so may be a hard one to track down.
Released as part of the 1990 Heritage Collection, the England mashup jersey saw Score Draw veering away from regular retro releases for one of the first times. As expected from the collection name, the mashup shirt combined the three kits from Italia '90 for one solitary blast of vintage vibes.
Reinventing archive classics, Umbro joined forces with leading British fashion designer Christopher Raeburn for a Spring/Summer '18 capsule collection that landed conveniently just ahead of the 2018 World Cup. The range fully embraced Raeburn's brand ethos: "REMADE, REDUCED, RECYCLED" and celebrated Umbro's indelible links with English football. The project deconstructed iconic Umbro shirts from 1996 to 2010 and crafted them into a six-piece range of unique and authentic statement garments.
Art of Football 'Masterpiece Collection'
The ‘Masterpiece Collection’ reimagines five iconic national team shirts with an added artistic twist, each inspired by a historical artist that changed the world. For England, a look inspired by the Euro 96 national team away shirt and the works of the infamous English street artist, Banksy.
Palace x Umbro Italia '90
One of the first to pay homage to the iconic Italia '90 England shirt, and landing way before their much-hyped step into football with Juventus, the Palace x Umbro shirt was a thing of simple beauty.
Umbro x New Order 'Madchester'
Think Italia '90, think World in Motion, think New Order. Umbro and New Order united once again to pay homage to a piece of music and footballing history with a collaboration that salutes each other’s continued iconic status, bringing back those familiar stylings in both a home and away shirt combo.
Martine Rose x Nike ‘Lost Lionesses’ England Shirt
Nike and London-based designer Martine Rose have joined creative forces to launch a special-edition ‘Lost Lionesses’ England jersey inspired by the story of the unofficial England women’s team who played in the 1971 World Cup. Featuring a reversible construction with an oversized fit, the inside design comes with a special-edition badge and the number 71 in the centre, while the outside features the official England crest alongside a subtle tribute to the Lost Lionesses and an “all the best” message from Martine Rose.
Score Draw England 1990 Blackout
Following up their mashup offering, Score Draw released the England 1990 Blackout shirt to mass approval, taking the iconic Italia '90 design in an unexpected dark direction, Three Lions 'n all. Tidy.
So what are you planning on wearing for the semi final against Denmark? And if we make it to the final, what then?
