COVET ME: Lyle & Scott x Lover's FC football jumpers
There are cool football fashion bits dropping all the time so instead of just raving about them in our private team group chat and in print twice a year (a double spread isn’t enough!), we’re going to share why we rate them in real-time here.
Bored of football kits yet? Never! But it is refreshing to see Neal Heard, a bonafide football kit expert, brand consultant, founder of Lover’s FC and creator of the excellent roving ‘Art of The Football Shirt’ exhibition, team up with Scottish knitwear brand Lyle & Scott to reinterpret some of the best in a cosy new format. We picked Heard’s brain about fake football shirts in SEASON 04 (sadly sold out), and I’ve sat on a football fashion panel with him, so it’s unsurprising that the six jumpers from the first collection bang as much as they do. They also act as a refresher on 90s football design – especially if, like me, you weren’t born or were too young to really appreciate these kits the first time round.
You’ll definitely recognise some, if not all, of them and they’re unisex, although labelling them as ‘menswear’ wasn’t going to stop us from wearing them was it? Geometric shapes, tweaked sponsors and badges, tongue-in-cheek, each one knitted in pure Italian merino wool without losing any of the nostalgia or colour zing. Fancy. Definitely won’t be using any of these £140 jumpers as goalposts. Race you to the Lyle & Scott or Oi Polloi checkout after you (well) check out what we think of the individual styles below.
Diamond Jacquard Knitted Jumper
‘Definitely adding this to my England merch collection. Finally, it feels like there is a move on from re-made vintage shirts and a cleaner, smarter aesthetic in football streetwear culture is happening. I love the reference to the 1990 iconic England kit, the silhouette is perfect for both genders and the all-over geo print will fit into my match day wardrobe perfectly. Looking forward to wearing this down the pub for the Euros this summer!’ Georgina Hunt, Fashion Director
Geometric Stripe Knitted Jumper
‘For me, this has to be the coolest from the collection. It’s muted enough to give off warm winter vibes, yet the patterns are bold and edgy (referencing West Germany’s World Cup-winning shirt in 1990) without being overdone. Often knitwear can be itchy but that’s no issue here. It’s made with soft and breathable merino wool. It’ll work with bell-bottom jeans I’m sure.’ Maudlyn Nwagwu, Writer
Brothers Knitted Jumper
‘It's easy to forget that there was football on the blue side of Manchester before Sheikh Mansour and his billions came along. Manchester City's sponsorship deal with Brother was a core part of the club's 90s era, when things on the pitch weren't quite as glamorous. City's classic sky blue kit was plastered with Brother's bold black logo and paired with a stiff collar. This piece has all the essence of those classic years but with the added bonus of a local symbol, the Manchester bee. I'm not a City fan (QPR) but I would happily wear this clean and classic jumper for a work day or football event in London.’ Flo Lloyd-Hughes, Football Associate
Intended Knitted Jumper
‘As a kid, I was all about Nintendo and purple has been my favourite colour for as long as I can remember. So when I found out about the Fiorentina 1998/1999 jersey, I was obsessed but I knew I would never have it. I love what Lyle & Scott have done with this collection, the top is just incredible but sadly reminds me of when Fiorentina beat Arsenal the following season in the Champions League.’ Rickardo Mattocks-Maxwell, Fashion Editor
Neon Knitted Jumper
‘The neon yellow-black palette of this 90s BVB Dortmund kit is reminiscent of the Stabilo highlighter I used to use at school – punchy, absolutely on-trend but not winter-friendly. Then just like that, as I was losing the will to style the vintage jersey I love the most and strike up a temporary yet stylish affair with BVB, the perfect alternative to acetate and unwashable underarm perspiration arrived. The cozy knit sweater allows fans of the design to wear it without having to worry about coming across as an occasional, inexperienced football fanatic.’ Naomi Accardi, Editor-at-large
Geometric Jacquard Knitted Jumper
‘I was tickled to find that the Telegraph put the 1989-90 Ajax kit this knit is based upon on a “Football’s worst kits” list online from 2009. Really?! Did the writer not appreciate the trompe-l'œil shapes, that look even more 3D and cube-like in wool, rising up the side diagonally and on the sleeves, or the white pinstripe? I certainly do, although I prefer the contrast between the patterned and plain parts of the newest incarnation. Times have certainly changed as you can see the influence of styles like this in recent ‘retro’ and ‘risky’ kits – like the already cult 2018 Nigeria kit.’ Felicia Pennant, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Words: Felicia Pennant
Images courtesy of Rich London PR