Which teams have the best jersey sets?

Finally, all European clubs, along with their respective technical sponsors, have released the Home, Away, and Third kits for the ongoing season. The kits designed by Adidas have particularly stood out, especially following the recent release of the Third kits, an exclusive offering reserved for the brand’s Tier 1 clubs: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. However, as usual, even smaller clubs and brands have managed to express their creativity. But what determines the quality of a kit set? Are there truly parameters to sum this up? Theoretically no, except for the importance of using three well-differentiated color tones for each kit, which is essential to avoid the classic – and unpleasant – kit clash. From a less objective perspective, factors like the originality of a kit, consistency with heritage, and, above all, finding a balance between all these "secret ingredients" and a strong dose of boldness are often considered: for instance, if the Home and Away kits are monochromatic, a "crazy" design for the Third kit can't hurt.

We’ve selected what we believe are the best sets released in the weeks of this summer; we’ve created a small ranking to help understand the direction in which the creativity of brands and clubs might head in the near future.

5. Hellas Verona - JOMA

Among the clubs in northern Italy, the excellent work by Hellas Verona and Joma stands out, a very solid example that shows how to perfectly combine tradition and elegance. The Venetian set certainly lacks that fashion touch that is still highly sought after, especially by those who no longer view the football jersey as a mere technical item, but aside from this aspect, there are no further flaws. The first jersey resembles a pinstripe suit, a tribute to the 1984/85 Championship, the second – perhaps the least appreciable of the three – features a marble pattern, used by numerous teams in recent history, but with particular attention to the sleeve cuffs and collar. The third, not much to say, we can’t wait to see it worn – the aura of Mr. Zanetti's players will automatically increase dramatically.

1. Novelty: ⭐⭐⭐
2. Identity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Lifestyle: ⭐⭐
4. Future classic: ⭐⭐⭐
   
   

4. Werder Bremen - hummel

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In the Bundesliga, Hummel has found the formula to be in the spotlight by combining simplicity with even more simplicity as displayed with the three jersey designed for Werder Bremen. A Third kit that doesn’t go beyond a tone-on-tone pattern, an Away kit that balances this with a color scheme combining mint and white. The Home kit is an "instant classic": a mixed design of checks and stripes, but above all a type of bright green that Hummel already experimented with last season with the Away jersey of Real Betis Balompié. Another Bellerín effect?

1. Novelty: ⭐⭐⭐
2. Lifestyle: ⭐⭐⭐
3. Identity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Future Classic: ⭐⭐⭐

3. Crystal Palace - Macron

Love them or hate them, the new kits of Crystal Palace should perhaps compete in a separate ranking, serving as a lesson for clubs on how to introduce "silent" and coherent changes to new kits. The feather pattern – in different versions on the Home and Third kits – is a perfect fusion of heritage and symbolism (the motif is inspired by Kayla The Eagle, the club's mascot and featured in the Londoners' crest). But above all, it is a gradual break from the flat designs used until the 2021/22 season, closing the loop after the change of direction made two seasons ago, which probably would never have anticipated such a significant and, of course, well-received change by the public.

1. Novelty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Identity: ⭐⭐⭐
3. Lifestyle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Future Classic: ⭐⭐⭐

2. Girona - PUMA

Girona’s set is perfectly balanced: you couldn't ask for anything more in terms of identity and a sense of novelty. The colors of the Home jersey, the traditional white and red, follow the silhouette of the new PUMA pattern, while the Away kit features a new design for the club owned by City Group – perhaps it’s no coincidence that Girona’s interesting proposal coincides with Manchester City’s desire to make a mark aesthetically, considering that on September 12, the English club will unveil a Fourth kit designed by Noel Gallagher. Girona’s winning trio is completed with a total pink kit, aligning with this color jersey's trend, which are enjoying a glorious moment – as demonstrated by the success of the German national team’s Away kit at Euro 2024.

1. Novelty: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
2. Identity: ⭐⭐⭐ 
3. Lifestyle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Future Classic: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

1. Basel - Macron

One of the most interesting restyling operations seen at the start of this season comes from Macron. Basel’s jerseys are nothing short of incredible – perhaps the only flaw is that the Home and Away kits differ simply by color – but having three jerseys that offer three different collar styles along with two of the most unique patterns around is already enough to earn the Swiss team a well-deserved second place. Unlike other sets, such as the Hellas set, with its impactful style that definitely looks street-style, the Basel set is much easier to match in lifestyle outfits. 

1. Novelty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Identity: ⭐⭐
3. Lifestyle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Future Classic: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐