A stylist’s guide to retro England kit: The ‘cool vintage’ football shirts worth splashing out on… and the naff gear best left in the past
England have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, which means there’s never been a better time to don the football jersey.
And what could be better than buying a new one? Of course it will be vintage.
But while shirts deserve to be the star performer of your wardrobe, others deserve the fashion red card, according to celebrity stylists Lisa Talbot and Rochelle White.
Lisa said: ‘As football jerseys continue to dominate both fashion and sport, the World Cup is the perfect excuse to invest in a vintage England jersey.
‘The best designs have become timeless wardrobe pieces that go as well with tailored trousers or jeans as they do on match day. But not every retro shirt ages gracefully.
‘The key is to choose designs that aren’t overly fussy, have clean silhouettes, classic color palettes and fine details.’
In light of this, Lisa and Rochelle looked at England’s shirts from 1966 to 2010 to assess the options worth buying and which ones are best left in the jersey bag.
1966
In 1966, England’s away jersey, made by Umbro, was red, white and navy blue with long sleeves.
Lisa: ‘Simple, elegant and full of history. ‘Minimalist activewear is having a big moment, making it an easy piece to layer under jeans, linen trousers or even a blazer.’
Rochelle: ‘The 1966 away jersey is one of the most culturally significant England jerseys you can buy and own.
‘The appeal is not just about the design, but also the history attached to it. The clean red shirt became part of the English football identity and because it is so simple it still feels incredibly modern and wearable today.
‘Even if you don’t really know football, I think this is the kind of vintage football jersey that works well as both a piece of fashion and a piece of sporting history.’
Decision: To buy
1970
England’s 1970 third shirt is worth buying, according to personal stylist
Lisa: ‘The bold color instantly stands out while giving a premium feel. ‘It taps into the growing trend for colorful vintage sportswear without looking flashy.’
Rochelle: The third shirt from 1970 is a strong buy because it has an understated retro appeal that fits in wonderfully with the current style.
‘It feels less obvious than the home shirt, which makes it more interesting from a fashion perspective. ‘It’s got enough football heritage to feel meaningful, but elegant enough to be worn casually without looking like a fancy dress.’
Decision: To buy
1974
Yellow and black England goalkeeper jersey from 1974
Lisa: Goalkeeper jerseys of this era feel like novelty pieces rather than versatile wardrobe staples. More suitable for collectors rather than fashionistas.
Rochelle: ‘Goalkeeper jerseys have become highly collectible, but this feels more niche than wearable.
‘From a fashion perspective, it doesn’t have the same bold graphic impact as the goalkeeper designs from the 80s and 90s. ‘I leave that to the dedicated collector rather than someone looking for a vintage shirt they can wear and style regularly.’
Decision: To go past
1976
England’s 1976 away jersey featured a vibrant red base
Lisa: A beautifully simple design that feels surprisingly contemporary. The clean lines and classic cut give it longevity beyond football.
Decision: To buy
1980
England’s 1980 home jersey is a fan favorite
Lisa: One of the most wearable England shirts ever produced. Its slim V-neck and simple design mean it looks as good in everyday use today as it did 40 years ago.
Decision: To buy
1984
England’s 1984 third kit is a great option for the World Cup
Lisa: This has all the ingredients of a great vintage buy: distinctive without being overpowering. Ideal for anyone who wants something a little different from the traditional white England shirt.
Decision: To buy
1986
England’s 1986 goalkeeper jersey featured dark blue pinstripes on a sky blue background
Lisa: Oversized graphics and bold colors attract attention, but they’re difficult to style outside of football-inspired clothing.
Decision: To go past
1988
Lisa says the 1988 jersey isn’t worth the investment for daily use
Lisa: While fun and nostalgic, high geometric design can easily overwhelm an outfit. Works better as a keepsake rather than everyday fashion.
Decision: To go past
1990
Sky blue and diamond pattern impress Lisa, who says the 1990s shirt is ‘incredibly wearable’
Lisa: Nostalgia is driving demand for sportswear from the late 80s and early 90s, and this shirt fits the trend perfectly. It has real collector appeal but is also incredibly wearable.
Decision: To buy
1992
Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were among the players to wear this third jersey since 1992.
Lisa: Although different, the design looks quite dated compared to the cleaner shirts around it. It lacks the timeless appeal of other UK classics.
Decision: To go past
1994
Lisa says her 1996 workout top ‘feels less special as a vintage investment’
Lisa: Training wear rarely has the same iconic status as match jerseys. Without this heritage factor, it feels less special as a vintage investment.
Decision: To go past
1996
Shiny isn’t always best, says Lisa, who advises against buying the 1996 goalkeeper jersey
Lisa: Another bold goalkeeper design that has become a topic of conversation rather than a truly wearable item. It’s hard to style unless you fully embrace retro sportswear.
Decision: To go past
1998
Fashion expert says 1998 kit symbolizes ‘one of England’s most memorable eras of football’
Lisa: Clean, recognizable and associated with one of England’s most memorable eras of football. An easy introduction to the vintage football style.
Decision: To buy
1999
David Beckham’s 1999 workout top isn’t worth buying, says Lisa
Lisa: Comfortable but doesn’t have the same collectibility or fashion credibility as match jerseys from the same era.
Decision: To go past
2000
2000 home jersey a safe bet, says Lisa
Lisa: Minimal branding and tailored silhouette show this shirt has had a lot of wear. It feels refined rather than overly sporty.
Decision: To buy
2002
Among the players who wore the 2002 jersey were David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.
Lisa: The early 2000s revival continues, making this shirt incredibly current again. Its simplicity makes it one of the easiest football jerseys to incorporate into everyday outfits.
Decision: To buy
2006
This England jersey was worn during the 2006 World Cup
Lisa: Technical style and bright colors make it feel firmly connected to its era. It lacks the effortless charm of England’s cleaner shirts.
Decision: To go past
2008
The 2008 England home jersey isn’t worth buying, says Lisa
Lisa: While smart at the time, the fitted silhouette and design details now feel distinctly late-2000s rather than timelessly vintage.
Decision: To go past
2010
Lisa calls 2010 shirt ‘modern classic’
Lisa: A modern classic. The darker colorway gives a sophisticated feel and works great as part of a casual casual style.
Decision: To buy
