The world of football has certainly endured a number of fashion faux pas throughout the eras and even nowadays every year a daring new kit pops up that makes all of us fans wince. It’s true that the beautiful game is certainly more about substance over style but there’s no excusing some of the criminal acts that feature on this list. Some kits have been blamed for dodgy performances whilst others have become iconic for their daringness. We’ve dug through the annals of football fashion to bring you the ultimate kit fails.
CAMEROON, African Nations Cup Kit (2002)
They’ve always been a nation renowned for that little bit of extra flair and flamboyancy, particularly in terms of style, and this unforgettable kit selection for the Cameroon side which premiered at the 2002 African Cup of Nations certainly paid homage to that tradition. Less a football shirt and more a vest that wouldn’t look too out of place at a 90’s rave, whilst the colour scheme reflects the national flag, the mindless omission of sleeves was a little too much and something that FIFA didn’t particularly appreciate.
MANCHESTER UNITED, Away Kit (1995-1996)
Apparently inspired by 1950s football fashion, complete with daring collar, Manchester United decided to opt for this memorable little grey number for the ’95 season which has now become infamous for all the wrong reasons. This grizzled effort was a very strange deviation from the clubs traditional colours and most spectators will attest to the fact that grey isn’t the most stand-out colour to sport on the pitch. Of course it was instantly sneered at by opposing fans as well as reds followers themselves and Fergie even went as so far to blame the kit for United’s horror first half performance away at Southampton that season.
HULL CITY, Home Kit (1992-1993)
This atrocious effort from Hull City was clearly inspired by the club’s nickname the tigers. However, in an all-too-literal interpretation of the word, adorning your jersey with ghastly stripes all for the sake of a little in-club synergy was simply a poor decision. Whilst the club’s shirt numbers and sponsor were clearly pronounced, the kit was a horrific camouflage-like effort and was quickly binned for the following season. Thankfully.
MEXICO, Goalkeepers Kit (1994)
This is most definitely another brainchild of 90’s design. Whilst retrospectively it may appear to some as colourful and uplifting, this kit this was most definitely worn with a straight face by Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos during the 1994 World Cup. If the reasoning behind the manufacturing was an attempt to distract the opposition from the Mexican goal, It certainly didn’t go far in aiding the nation’s chances at the tournament after Mexico crashed out of the tournament 3-1 on penalties against Bulgaria after extra time in their last 16 match.