Sporting apparel titan Nike revealed the latest kit for England national team on Monday, highlighting the Football Association's 150th anniversary.
Marking the FA's anniversary on the new kit, Nike uses the three lions crest and adorns its dark blue hue with a gold border, a gold star to mark their lone World Cup title in 1966, and a gold ribbon graphic with the inscription of "150 years." The ribbon is sandwiched by the years 1863 and 2013.
Reflecting the sleekness and style of English fashion, the white kit will have a dark blue classic crew neck collar, the exact color that had been used on the first kit. To add, St. George's cross subtly adorns the hem of the shirt.
To go along with white top, the shorts will be completely dark blue, and the socks are to be white, with a thin dark blue band on top of it.
The simplistic, clean and distinctive design won't be complete without some technological features aimed to bring the best out of the one who wears it.
It weighs 23 percent less that the previous Nike kits at 150 grams. The fabric has Nike Dri-Fit technology that is designed to draw sweat away from the body through the fabric, where it can evaporate in order for players to be cool and dry. To aid it further, ventilation zones consisting of tiny laser-cut holes are located underneath both arms and at the shorts' waistband for additional comfort and cooling. The mesh panel at the back allows for increased air circulation.
In addition the kit, which has a twenty percent stronger knit structure and significantly improved stretch, uses bonded T-bars to support the seams at key points and inner welded seams with a clean finish to give a more striking appearance, while also increasing comfort and performance.
The kit also has an environment-friendly aspect to it, as it is made from recycled polyester. The shirts and shots that comprise the kit use up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles in its construction.
From a plastic water bottle, it is chopped into flakes, which would then be melted to form yarn that can be used to spin the fabric. This method of developing polyester saves energy consumption by about 30 percent. Nike has used 1.1 billion bottles in this manner since 2010.
It is important to note that with all the innovations and technology put on the clothing, it is still up to the one wearing it who wins and loses games. As such, Nike takes the emphasis on that with its marketing campaign for the new kit. They also want to highlight that the kit belongs to the nation and not just to the ones who have been privileged enough to have represented England.
This specific emphasis can be seen with how Nike initially revealed the design. England international Jack Wilshere went back to his old stomping grounds at The Priory School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. It was there that the Arsenal midfielder first worked on his dream to be playing for the Three Lions.
From observing a practice session, Jack selected one of the students to be the first one to officially wear the new kit. According to him, "his commitment and work-rate really impressed me today, he showed that it’s what you do on the pitch that matters — from your first match as a nine year-old all the way up to the international stage.”
Nike has also released next season's kits for the champions of four European leagues, (Turkey's Galatasaray, Italy's Juventus, France's Paris Saint-Germain and Spain's Barcelona).
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