The Evolution of Footballer Style: From Iconic Kits to High-End Collaborations

The relationship between fashion and football is nothing new. Throughout history, these seemingly disparate worlds have found common ground, giving birth to influential style movements and unforgettable trends. Iconic team kits are an integral part of the sport’s history, with Brazil’s iconic yellow and green jersey returning to 2023 as a fashion trend.

In terms of personal style, in the 1970s and ’80s, a significant shift occurred as football fans became more than just passionate supporters; they became style pioneers who embraced fashion as an integral part of their identity. Last year, we saw the ‘blokecore’ fashion aesthetic pay homage to this aspect of British football culture and old club uniforms from the 80s and 90s.

A personal favourite era of mine has been 2000s footballer fashion, synonymous with Mario Balotelli’s drop-crotch pants and snapbacks and David Beckham’s baggy jeans and retro sunglasses.

However, 2023 has truly exhilarated the relationship between football and designer fashion, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford hitting up Paris Fashion Week last month and high profile collaborations between Inter Milan x Moncler and Dior x PSG.

Although young superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham have embraced fashion alongside the rise of their fame, there is one name that stands out for his off-pitch style even more than his football career; this is Héctor Bellerín.

Bellerín links fashion, football and creatives, fronting GOLF WANG’s World Cup-inspired capsule collection and collaborating with Fokohaela on a bespoke football shirt with a focus on sustainability. In his social media presence as a men’s wear influencer, Bellerín maintains a candid display of personal style and personality even when working with big names like Louis Vuitton. Take a look:

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