Two cultures collide this season as the football shirt becomes a bonafide fashion piece. From nostalgic retro football shirts (big business right now) to luxury fashion houses like Gucci and Balenciaga recreating their own strips and cool, indie brands making their iterations, the polyester footy shirt is officially in vogue. Here are six ways to work the trend, whether you’re a fairweather fan who likes a sporty look or are cheering on the Three Lions from your local.

I should probably start this article by declaring I am wildly unqualified to write about football shirts, so don’t @ me for my lack of football knowledge. I am, however, quite keen on a sporty look – a colour pop Gazelle with tailored trousers or an Adidas three-stripe trackie with a summer sandal – and what with the return of ’90s style and what I like to call ‘lazy girl fashion’ taking over the squares of Instagram, I’m suddenly considering donning a top from the beautiful game itself.

If you want to work the trend with authenticity, retro football shirts should be your first port of call. Online marketplace, Classic Football Shirts, has seen booming business in the menswear department in recent years, and women are following suit, styling up vintage old skool strips with everything from boho-inspired skirts to striped trousers. And while you might want to don your team’s latest kit to watch the Euros, apparently wearing England’s current shirt isn’t cool these days, but a 2004 version with ‘Beckham 7’ on the back, very much is.

Wearing England’s current shirt to the game? Apparently not cool. But a retro 2004 version with ‘Beckham 7’ on the back? Very much is. 

There are also plenty of cool streetwear brands creating their own football-esque shirts too – perfect if you love the look but, like me, are still unable to explain the off-side rule with much authority or passion. From Wasted Heroes’ dance music-inspired collections emblazoned with ’90s-style smiley faces to House of Sunny’s joyfully nostalgic ’70s-inspired long-sleeve shirt, there are plenty of cool styles to dip your toe in.

The trend has also had the seal of approval from some big celeb names of late, from Sabrina Carpenter wearing an England shirt at her recent Wembley Summertime Ball appearance (a nice nod to knowing her crowd) to Dua Lipa on Instagram, and model Mia Regan, who wore the Stella McCarntey-designed Arsenal Women’s top with baggy jeans front frow at the British designer’s Paris Fashion Week show last year. When footy shirts have made it to the FROW, you know they’ve caught on.

Want to work the trend yourself with a bit of a fashion twist? Here are six looks to recreate from Instagram’s finest…

Juxtapose the so-called ‘Blokeore’ trend with an oversized pink scrunchie, pretty white maxi skirt and cute bag. Shouldn’t work, totally does.

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I love the nonchalance of this Insta outfit, hitting some of the season’s biggest trends, from sporty to boho and the proverbial colour-pop sneaker.

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Football shirt, but make it evening-appropriate. Insta favourite, Klaudia Paris, pairs her’s with a statement trouser – we love the mix of leopard with royal blue – heels and silver jewellery.

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If you need some further inspo on how to make a footy shirt fashion-worthy, just check out Greek team Athens Kallithea FC’s branding. Super chic tucked into a summer slip skirt and paired with raffia and gold accessories.

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I am a big fan of the loafer and sock look and pairing it with a football shirt gives it a a real retro ’80s vibe. Add an oversized Frankie Shop bomber for an extra layer.

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Finally, here’s an Insta dump of great football shirt looks but scroll to no. 7 – a particular favourite – for a masterclass on how to do a football shirt in the evening. Add a statement shoe, a pop of colour cute shoulder bag and Pearl Octopuss.y’s mega sparkle earrings. 

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Shop our edit of fashion football shirts below…

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