From the early days of the NFL to the present, the league’s fashion has evolved alongside the sport. This timeline highlights some of the most iconic jerseys and streetwear that have become synonymous with the NFL and its fans.
Collaboration between Drama Call and Manchester United
Recently, streetwear brand Drama Call announced a collaboration with Manchester United Football Club, featuring a new jersey design. The collaboration was announced through co-branded posters by adidas, Manchester United, and Drama Call, and teased with a trailer featuring Drama’s mascot and Manchester United’s mascot, Fred The Red. Manchester United players Alessia Russo, Leah Galton, and Marcus Rashford have been shown wearing the new Drama Call jersey, which pays homage to Manchester United’s classic blue 88-90′ away jersey with added Drama Call branding. The jersey features a sparkle motif on the front and a “Drama 1988 2023” graphic on the back, and will be released at the end of May on the official Drama Call website.
Adidas Superstar and the UK’s Acid House Scene
The adidas Superstar, known as “shell toes” in the UK, gained popularity as part of a reaction to acid house, a music genre consisting of funk, soul, and jazz rarities that were sped up or slowed down to create warped reverberations. The structured toe-caps of the adidas Superstar offered a sense of modernist refinement. The Duffer boys, founders of London label Duffer of St. George, bought up dozens of pairs of shell toes for next to nothing from a small leather store on Broadway and introduced them to East London’s fashion scene through their market stall venture specializing in vintage American workwear and military gear.
Decline of Streetwear and the Evolution of Men’s Fashion
As luxury brands move away from streetwear and focus on couture and traditional luxury, men’s fashion is evolving towards a more preppy direction, with loafers and oxford shirts becoming more popular. Some consumers see pure streetwear brands as having become too commercialized and disconnected from their roots in street culture. However, hoodies and sneakers remain popular and have been absorbed into brands’ offerings. Independent brands are finding success by aligning with niche communities and catering to die-hard fans of 2010s-era streetwear.
Streetwear’s Roots and Its Place in Fashion Today
Streetwear emerged from the hip-hop and skate scenes in New York City and Los Angeles in the 1990s and early 2000s. Designers like Daymond John of FUBU, James Jebbia of Supreme, and Shawn Stussy commercialized streetwear, and a vibrant scene grew in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. Today, streetwear has evolved and remains a part of fashion, with its influence seen in both high-end and independent brands. The NFL’s fashion evolution is a testament to the enduring appeal of streetwear and its ability to adapt and thrive in
a constantly changing industry.
