Continuing the brand’s resurgence with the backing of a legend, Admiral have teamed up with iconic bands The Jam and The Style Council to create limited edition football shirts inspired by one of England’s greatest ever kits.
There’s no argument to be had here – the England 1982 shirt, produced by Admiral, is simply iconic. With simple clean lines and contrasting colours, it’s a football shirt which is rightly deemed a design classic. 'The Jam' famously split that same year, in December of 1982, and from the ashes of the band’s split 'The Style Council' was formed by Paul Weller in early 1983. While the music of these bands sparked the mod revival in the 70s and 80s, it was also a time that saw Admiral were pioneering modern football, being at the forefront of football shirt design in an era that saw them produce the first ever replica-shirt. Now, these paralleled British stories have connected to produce two designs celebrating these symbolic bands in unique fashion, centred around that superb England kit.
The Jam shirt is influenced by Admiral’s famous 1982 England kit design. The blue colourway honours the third kit that disappointingly never made it onto the pitch at Spain ’82. The crest design was inspired by an original 1980s pin badge, sourced from a The Jam fan club member. To further elevate the nostalgia the swing tag doubles as a keepsake designed to replicate the original gig ticket from the band's last ever gig in Brighton. Paul Weller’s DIY jumper on The Jam’s famous ‘This is the Modern World’ album cover is referenced with a subtle arrow detailing inside the neckline of the shirt.
And the shirts come with the approval of Paul Weller himself, who commented: “I love what Admiral have done with these shirts – very cool.” No higher praise when it comes to style.
For The Style Council shirt, Admiral have used one of their famous 70s silhouettes with logos repeated down a raised sleeve tape. Weller was quoted as saying that “Black and Orange are going to be our colours” when The Style Council launched in early 1983, and sure enough it’s that combination that is used to great effect here. The stitched crest design is taken once again from an original 1980s pin badge and features both The Style Council name and a reference to the band’s EP, À Paris. ‘Internationalists’ is used on the front to celebrate the band’s Live Aid performance in 1985.
Only 300 of The Jam x Admiral shirts will be available, with each shirt individually numbered on the lower front.
These shirts will be available from 6pm, 8 July, at modfatherclothing.com, and we fancy that they won't hang around...
