In a new feature of this site, I have reviewed the new Chelsea home kit for the new 2009-10 season, made by the German sports company Adidas. Read on below..
DESIGN
Initial impressions of how the shirt looks are mixed; first, the normal features. The Adidas logo is no longer centred, which now gives balance to how the shirt looks. I hope Adidas continues to put their logo on the side of the chest. The colour is typical ‘Reflex’ blue (well, thats what Adidas calls it, whatever happened to Royal blue?) and the standard white Adidas stripes running down the shoulders and sleeves, albeit with a big gap, remain.
The overall design is what one may describe as ‘very different’. The shirt has chest patches, which almost appear to look like built-in bra cups. There is a rubber strip featuring the name of the club running down the middle of the chest from the collar. The collar itself is a crew neck with a little slit at the front. Comparisons have previously been made with a cycling top, and they aren’t too wide of the mark. That the shirt has a design which is so different is, in a way, great. Afterall, having a kit which only has minor changes from the previous one renders having a new shirt (well, from the supporters’ point of view, anyway) completely pointless. But then again, having a shirt which has a design that is ‘different’ is only good news if the shirt looks good. It seems to look pretty good on the players in my opinion, but then the players have the kind of physique that the design of the shirt seemingly attempts to make the most out of.
But what of the average Chelsea supporter? Well, lets be honest. The average supporter doesn’t have the physique the players have and whilst the shirt will flatter those with toned chests and stomachs, it won’t be quite as forgiving to many supporters who have rather more ample-sized moobs and beer guts.
Still, given that the design is so different, I do quite like the design. I was completely indifferent the first time I saw it, but after having seen the players wear it in pre-season, I started warming to it.
2010 Chelsea home jersey
TO WEAR
Feeling the material used, the quality feels pretty standard for Adidas. Stitching is mostly even and unfaltering. Putting it on, the collar seems a little tight and feels like it rides too high at the front, but it wouldn’t take much getting used to. The mesh-like material feels suprisingly pleasant to the touch. It’s light and airy, with the fit not being quite as tight or slim-fitting as I had initially anticipated, I guess I thought it would be slimmer fitting than usual given the design. Its been in the wash and nothing has come loose or peeled off, only time will tell how the stitching and Samsung printing will hold on after more washes. I’ve never had any issues with them before, so I hope this shirt follows that trend.
Chelsea jersey
OVERALL
I quite like the design, and I’ve not yet had any issues with regards to quality. For me, the shirt is a winner, and I hope the team follow suit. You can click the preview images below to see detailed photos of the shirt.
soccer apparel
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