History of Football Jerseys – From Wool to Technical Fabric

History & Innovation

History of Football Jerseys
From Wool to Technical Fabric

A journey of over 150 years of evolution, design and innovation

The football jersey we know today is the result of over 150 years of evolution. From the heavy wool fabric of the sport's beginnings to modern high-performance fabrics, this is the story of how the football jersey transformed into a piece of textile engineering and cultural design.

1860–1900

The Beginnings – The Wool Era

The first football jerseys were made of heavy wool, with buttons at the neck and long sleeves. They weighed up to 1 kg when wet and were extremely uncomfortable. Colors were simple and designs minimalist, often just to distinguish teams on the field.


1900–1950

The Evolution of Materials

With the growth of football as an organized sport, more attention began to be paid to materials. Cotton began to replace wool, making jerseys lighter and more comfortable. The first World Cups brought greater visibility and the need for more distinct uniforms.

It was also during this period that national teams began to establish their official colors — Brazil's yellow, Italy's blue, Portugal's red.

View Current Portugal Jersey →

1950–1970

The Synthetic Revolution

Nylon and polyester arrived in football in the 50s and 60s, completely revolutionizing comfort and performance. The 1970 World Cup in Mexico was the first to be broadcast in color on television, making jersey design even more important.

View Brazil Jersey →

1970–1990

The Era of Brands and Design

Adidas, Nike, and Umbro began to dominate the football jersey market. Sponsorship deals became multimillion-dollar, and design became a strategic priority. It was during this era that some of the most iconic designs in history were born.

View Italy 1990 Retro Jersey →

1990–2010

The Technological Revolution

The 90s brought an explosion of graphic creativity and technological innovation. Fabrics with moisture management properties, ergonomic cuts, and ultra-light materials transformed the jersey into a performance tool.

View England Retro Jersey →

2010–Today

The Era of Sustainability and High Performance

Modern jerseys are works of textile engineering. Made with recycled materials, smart fabrics that regulate body temperature, and designs developed using artificial intelligence. Sustainability has become an absolute priority.

View Spain 2026 Jersey →

🧪 Smart Fabrics

Materials that regulate temperature, manage moisture, and improve player aerodynamics.

♻️ Sustainability

Jerseys made with recycled ocean plastic and eco-sustainable manufacturing processes.

📱 Digital Customization

Digital printing technology that allows for more complex designs and personalization at scale.

⚡ Ultra-Lightweight

Modern jerseys weigh less than 150g, compared to the kilo of wool from the sport's early days.

150+Years of Evolution
<150gCurrent Weight
100%Performance

🚀 The Future of Football Jerseys

The future involves biometric fabrics that monitor player health in real-time, AI-generated designs, and completely biodegradable materials. The football jersey will continue to be much more than clothing — it will be wearable technology at the service of performance and sustainability.

Wear the Evolution of Football

Premium national team jerseys with the best materials and authentic design.

View Collection
Back to blog