At the Football Shirt Collective, we believe football shirts are special. Not just because they’re beautiful, but also because of the memories they hold. We love stories of why our readers love specific shirts, whether it’s the design or fond memories it rekindles about a legendary player.
Time and again, people pick Serie A shirts as their favourites. There is something about their design that makes them timeless and iconic. Here are five beautiful and classic Calcio kits, as chosen in our favourite football shirt interviews.
1. Sampdoria home 1990
Who chose it: James Dart
Why they love it: The blue, the badge, the collar, the maker and even the sponsor. Effortlessly cool.
Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini pictured during Samp’s glory days
2. AC Milan home mid-late 1980s
Who chose it: Amy Lawrence
Why they love it: Hmmm. I’ll go for AC Milan of the mid-late 80s. During an era when English clubs were banned from Europe in the aftermath of the Heysel disaster, and few foreign matches were televised, Serie A’s glamour was striking. That Milan vintage, with the likes of Marco van Basten, Franco Baresi et al resplendent in silky red and black stripes, had quite an aura.
Marco Van Basten, elegant as ever in this stylish Milan outfit
3. Fiorentina home 1980-81
Who chose it: Giancarlo Rinaldi
Why they love it: It has to be a Viola shirt and one of my favourites was an early 1980s edition in the pioneering days of sponsorship. The logos were getting bigger and bolder but I don’t think I ever saw a club badge used more prominently than the season when clothing company JD Farrows had a deal with Fiorentina. It was an absolutely gigantic interpretation of their classic Giglio (fleur-de-lis) emblem. For many it’s probably a monstrosity but it reminds me of the first seasons the club came pre-season training in the little village my family is from in Tuscany.
Antonello Cuccureddu, Daniel Bertoni and Eraldo Pecci showing off their monstrous Giglio emblem
4. Juventus home 1995-96
Who chose it: Austin Long
Why they love it: It is beautiful in its simplicity—simple black and white lines and an appropriately sized sponsor logo—and the club crest is inserted into the base of the collar. As for my history with Juventus, I fell in love with them because of Roberto Baggio. He was my favourite player of USA 94 and when I found out he was on this team from Italy, I started following them.
The Black and White of Juventus doesn’t come much more stylish than this particular strip
5. Sampdoria home 2015
Who chose it: Luca Hodges Ramon
Why they love it: Serie A always produces some crackers, with the likes of Fiorentina and Torino consistent producers of stylish strips. Palermo’s pink also pulls at my heart strings. However, I remember a Sampdoria kit of a few years back being particularly chic. Sponsored by Kappa, its blue theme was complemented by the white, red and black strip across the chest, while the iconic Blucerchiati badge sat proudly bellow the v-neck collar. It was the perfect mix of simplicity and elegance.
Eder thrived during his time in this ultra-smart Blucerchiati shirt.
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