Not long ago, soccer jerseys were reserved for game days, stadium seats, and devoted fans. Now, they’ve become one of fashion’s most coveted wardrobe staples.
The rise of jersey dressing didn’t happen overnight though. Fashion has long borrowed from the world of sports, from varsity jackets and tennis skirts to racing-inspired streetwear. Soccer jerseys, in particular, have been steadily gaining momentum over the past few years thanks to influencers and celebrities like Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, and Dua Lipa. Most recently, Sabrina Carpenter wore an England shirt paired over a mini-dress during a performance and Anne Hathaway wore an Arsenal top to the Devil Wears Prada premier in England.
For anyone who tracked the tenniscore and blokecore waves, this one won’t come as a surprise. In the last three years, high-fashion brands like Balenciaga, Dior, Stella McCartney, and streetwear brands like adidas have partnered with football teams to design special merch. The streetwear retailer teamed up with designer Yohji Yamamoto to create Japan’s 2022 jersey and with Wales Bonner to design Jamaica’s 2023 jersey. Further, legacy football clubs have even started hiring in-house creative directors to design new team jerseys.
This summer, however, the trend is poised to reach a whole new level thanks to the FIFA World Cup — held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. In fact, soccer jersey sales have grown fivefold in the last 18 months on live shopping app Tilt.
With the world’s attention turning to international soccer, jerseys are becoming more than just a fashion statement — they’re a symbol of excitement, community, and friendly competition.
As fans gather in bars, living rooms, parks, and watch parties around the globe, what you wear won’t just show off your style, but reveal where your loyalties lie and your dedication to current events. A soccer jersey can instantly kick off a conversation: Are you supporting the defending champions? Pulling for an underdog nation? Watching every match with friends or hosting your own viewing party? Suddenly, your outfit becomes an invitation to connect with fellow fans. It’s fashion with built-in small talk.
How to Style a Soccer Jersey
Part of the appeal of the soccer jersey is its versatility. Whether it’s the official team jersey, a clever vintage find from the ’90s, iconic club colors, or a newly released national team design — soccer jerseys bring lots of personality and can be styled in multiple ways. They’re bold without trying too hard, instantly recognizable, and often spark conversations in a way that few fashion pieces can.
And unlike many fashion trends, you don’t need a designer budget to participate. Once you have the jersey, you can pull from your closet to style the rest — adding wide-leg trousers, straight-leg jeans, puffy skirts, and more. There really is no single way to wear the look. The beauty of the trend lies in making it your own.
Now that the games have begun, get inspired to style your jersey for both at-home and buzzy bar watch parties, or, for the lucky ones, in-person stadium matches. Whether you take your cues from the dressed up or down looks below, it’s high time you become a well-styled footy fan.
