The Best Kits in Premier League History: Manchester United, Chelsea & More
From psychedelic patterns to the classically cool, these EPL kits truly rule.
Despite Manchester City stumbling from their Treble-winning form this Premier League season, all was not lost for Erling Haaland and company after Liverpool dethroned them, and Arsenal sent them packing to third. Pep Guardiola still needs to solve the Citizens’ riddle in the middle after talisman Kevin De Bruyne’s departure, which is no easy task after their target replacement Florian Wirtz decided to go with Arne Slot and Liverpool. But at least the Sky Blues will be flush with cash to throw around after inking a mind-boggling $1 billion kit contract extension with Puma, equating to at least $100 million per year for the next decade.
Stuffed coffers like that give the Citizens an unparalleled war chest, brimming with possibilities to facilitate the creation of a designer squad that can continue to challenge the Reds and the Gunners for supremacy in England’s top flight. Sure, returning to the mountain top is great and all, but the thing on everyone’s mind is what kind of threads will the boys be sporting when they take the pitch at Etihad Stadium?
Whether it’s the good, the bad, or on down to the ugly, Man City included, Premier League fans have seen it all when it comes to kits in the league’s 33 years. From jerseys that make more sense in Studio 54, to jerseys that belong in the Louvre, the EPL’s gifted its footy fiefdom a vast spectrum of colorful kits, so in honor of the Citizens’ monstrous “consolation” prize, we’re taking a look at the best kits in Premier League history.
The English Premiere League's best kits ever
10. Manchester United – Home Kit – 2002/2004 – Nike
We all remember the good ‘ole days, and when it comes to Manchester United fans, it’s pretty hard to top an era defined by Ruud van Nistelrooy embarrassing defenses right and left, or David Beckham ripping effortless crosses and set pieces. United won the league title in their 2002-2003 campaign, followed by the FA Cup in 2003-2004, and they did it in style. The fiery red flanked by the black struck fear in the hearts of the Red Devils’ opponents.
9. Arsenal – Home Kit – 2002/2004 – Nike
With just the right amount of flare on Arsenal’s red and white kit, Thierry Henry was a sharp-dressed man as he carved up defenses in a simple yet stunning design from Nike. In addition to the Frenchman winning the Golden Boot in the 2003/2004 season, the Gunners took His Majesty’s league by storm that year, touting an incredible unbeaten record.
8. West Ham – Home Kit – 1999/2001 – FILA
Plum and seafoam green aren’t exactly top of the list when it comes to color combinations, but Paolo Di Canio made FILA’s millennium-era kit look even more snazzy as West Ham’s fan favorite worked the pitch.
7. Ipswich Town – Home Kit – 1993/1994 – Umbro
The Tractor Boys spiraled into oblivion at the end of its 1993/1994 campaign, dropping all of their 11 final matches, but John Lyall’s squad sure looked spiffy in defeat. Featuring a vintage badge and an actual lace-up collar – a fashionable remnant that needs to make its way back into rotation – this Ipswich Town number is one to remember.
6. Manchester United – Away Kit – 1993/1995 – Umbro
Man United’s home kits always struck a chord with Old Trafford’s faithful, but their retro black kit with gold an cobalt blue accents was something else. Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch, the Red Devils became only the fourth club in the 20th century to capture the Double – winning the FA Cup and the Premier League title. Roy Keane and Eric Cantona struck a menacing pose in the black ensemble, one that would make even Darth Vader jealous.
5. Chelsea – Home Kit – 2005/2006 – Umbro
With a boisterous José Mourinho steering the ship, Frank Lampard served as a key player for Chelsea that year, netting a club-high of 16 goals to propel the Blues to their second consecutive Premier League title. The quintessential Chelsea blue with simple gold highlights marks a celebrated classic kit that deserves to be enshrined in the halls of Stamford Bridge like a gonfalon of old.
4. Arsenal – Away Kit – 1991/1993 – Adidas
Known as the “Bruised Banana” shirt, Arsenal’s most daring kit might also be its most famous -- just ask Gunners legend Ian Wright. The gold and navy color scheme under the sharp edges of the trefoil pattern was a big swing at the time, but its enduring popularity amongst Gunners fans have driven team merchandisers to feature the audacious pattern on a myriad of items.
3. Blackburn Rovers – Home Kit – 1994/1995 – Asics
Clad in a white and blue color block kit, the magnificent Alan Shearer led the Blackburn Rovers to their first and only Premier League title. The mystifying league disrupters put the traditional titans of England’s top flight on notice in this split design motif that’ll forever remind us you can’t count out the little guy.
2. Newcastle United – Home Kit – 1995/1997 – Adidas
Unanimously heralded as one of the greatest Premier League kits, the stark contrast of the black and white stripes coupled with a stiff “grandad” collar captured the essence of a simple yet effective look. Completing the legendary kit is the beloved Newcastle Brown Ale logo. Despite suffering back-to-back title defeats to Man United, watching David Ginola work the pitch in this kit was beauty in motion, and to this day is still the pinnacle of perfection in Magpies culture.
1. Liverpool – Home Kit – 1993/1995 – Adidas
Like everything that was better in the 1990s, Liverpool’s 1993/1995 home kit with the chunky, angled stripes, green trim along with the neckline and sleeves and, of course, the club’s crest positioned smack-dab in the middle of the jersey, was an exquisite example of early EPL kit designs that clearly still resonates today. In other words, while worn by Anfield heroes Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler, this is as timeless as it gets.
