With the 2024 European Championships just under a month away, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic Euros kits of all time. Who knows, we might see a few new entries to the list following this year’s tournament.
Which Euros Kits are the best?
When it comes to football shirts, for me, there are two very important things to take into consideration; what do they look like on the pitch, and would I be able to wear them with a pair of jorts in the summer.
For more information on how to do that, check out this article here.
I’d like to think that the following kits work both on and off the pitch, and have some great memories attached to them too. So in no particular order…
West Germany Home 1988 (Adidas)
Arguably one of THE most iconic football kits full stop, let alone one to have appeared in a Euros tournament. Adidas and Germany go hand-in-hand, and most of their kits have been unbelievable, but I think this one is the cream of the crop. When I think of a Germany shirt, this is what I picture.
I like the simplicity.
A white base with Adidas’ iconic three stripes in the colours of the German flag spread across the chest. There’s almost a futuristic element to the design. One thing that really stands out to me is the fact that the design goes all the way across the chest and onto the sleeves with no disruption, in a lot of modern kits this would be separate.
Germany didn’t do too bad wearing the kit, knocked out by a Dutch side captained by the great Ruud Gullit (who also wore a beautiful Adidas kit) in the semi-finals of the tournament. The kit was worn by legends of the game; Rudi Völler, Lothar Matthäus and Jurgen Klinsmann.
With the German national team set to shockingly part ways with Adidas and swap to rivals Nike, can they go out with a bang by winning the tournament on home soil, thus creating yet another iconic German strip?
If you want to add the real kit to your collection, you’re looking at spending upwards of £150 to do so. As with most retro kits, there are plenty of high quality replicas, with the retail on these being anywhere between £45-50.
Italy Home 2020/21 (Puma)
A bittersweet entry to this list on two fronts.
The obvious one being the fact that it was the kit worn by 11 men who so rudely broke the hearts of every England fan, after being so close to international glory for the first time in over 50 years.
The second being the hatred I have towards Puma following the absolute rubbish they released during their time as Arsenal’s chosen manufacturer. This kit is far from the skin tight dross of those days; the subtle mosaic pattern, the golden logos, the slight collar pop – fantastico!
Prices on this gem start at about £100, and there a quite a few floating about the market (due to being from the last tournament). One of the Euros kits that England fans will want to soon forget exists.
England Home 1996 (Umbro)
It is pretty hard to mess up an England shirt, as long as the main colour is white with the 3 Lions front and centre, it will be a fan favourite. And this is up there with the best of them.
My favourite genre of footy shirts is a central badge, can’t get enough of them. And I think this is one of, if not, the best example of this. In addition, the collar and its use of a lighter blue adds an extra bit of grandeur to an already classy shirt.
When you see this kit there should be only one player that comes to mind. A crazy character yet sublime footballer, immortalised by his infamous celebration during this tournament. If you haven’t got it yet I’m on about the Geordie Maradona, Gazza.
He wasn’t the only cult hero to wear this kit; Shearer, Sheringham, Pearce and Platt, a team full of stars that got so agonisingly close to winning the tournament on home soil.
England were knocked out by eventual winners Germany on penalties (shock), after current gaffer Gareth Southgate failed to convert his penalty. Alan Shearer did manage to walk away with the Golden Boot after scoring 5 goals, a taste of what was to come for the young striker.
A quick shout out to the away strip, a cool grey number which again featured a central badge/number combo, and swapped the light blue trim for a more traditional red. If I manage to get my hands on this one, you might see me cutting about in it in many a beer garden this summer. If not, I’ll have to settle for the Score Draw version!
There are a handful of these shirts online selling for around £40, the legitimacy of which may need to be questioned, but either way a very good price for an iconic England piece. For more information on how to authenticate your football shirts (before and after purchase) – click here.
Netherlands Home 2004 (Nike)
I’m not sure if this will be a popular one, more of a personal fave than iconic, but I feel like it deserves a mention, due to being one of the most recognisable Euros kits to me as a child.
Holland has had some truly beautiful kits over the years, which is quite hard when your base colour is bright orange, but this is definitely my favourite.
There is something about the loose fitting nature of football shirts from this era which I absolutely adore, again the central badge and number combo is doing it for me.
A unique aspect of this kit (and some other Nike kits of this era), is the circle containing the number for each player. Stylised after iconic T90 branding, which was one of the more popular boots of the time, it is so early 2000’s, going triple platinum on the pitch and in the streets.
A team stacked with talented players like Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Rafael Van de Vaart and Arjen Robben to name a few. The Netherlands came second in their group, finishing behind a Czech Republic side spurred on by the goals of Milan Baroš.They were unfortunately knocked out in the semi-finals by hosts Portugal, who had an equally strong side.
Again, like the England kit, there are a few (varying in quality) on the market for around £40. This one will definitely be in my wardrobe come June. One of the most popular Euros kits for collectors.
France Home 1996 (Adidas)
The most unique looking kit on this list, and oh it’s a beauty.
I feel like words won’t do this shirt justice, for me, it is in the all-time top 10. The drawstring is perfect, in my eyes, it allows players to express their own styles. In turn, this can make players feel more comfortable in what they are wearing, allowing them to strut their stuff on the pitch.
I couldn’t think of a more apt player to do just that in this kit than the genius, Zizou.
The tournament didn’t play out exactly how France would have wanted, with the side being knocked out in the semi-finals, despite going into it as one of the favourites.
With that being said, the team featured many legendary players, including current France boss, Didier Deschamps – who will be looking to bounce back from World Cup heartache and win this year’s European Championship.
If you want to add the real deal to your collection, you’re looking at forking out over £100.
But as with most iconic retro strips, there are plenty of high quality replicas if you are looking to save yourself a bit of cash.
Summary
Whatever nation you are backing this year, there are plenty of iconic and funky Euros kits to add to your collection, at whatever price point.
Personally, I’m backing France to win it, I think the raw superstar power of the side outweighs any other nation.
What are your favourite Euros Kits of all time?