Football's fast fashion problem is under scrutiny as designers upcycle old kits to combat waste. Uefa estimates up to 60% of players' kits are destroyed each season, with over 1 billion shirts in circulation globally, many discarded by fans.
Designers like Hattie Crowther are transforming shirts into unique headpieces through her project Soft Armour. 'I'm here to reframe what's already in circulation and give it longevity,' she says. Others, including Renata Brenha and Christelle Kocher, create dresses and puffer jackets from old shirts.
Retailer Vintage Threads offers a rework service, turning shirts into custom pieces like shirred tops (£180) or leather jackets (£525). Head of rework Caitlin Finan notes many customers are women seeking better-fitting styles. Founder Freddie Rose highlights the uniqueness compared to mass-produced shirts.
The environmental impact is significant: most modern shirts are made from virgin polyester, which releases microplastics and takes up to 200 years to break down. Clubs like Bayern Munich now release about 20 kits over four years, up from three in the 1990s. In the UK alone, an estimated 100,000 tonnes of sports kit ends up in landfill annually.
Journalist Felicia Pennant argues reworked shirts are key to tackling waste. Retro kits also help, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian spotted in vintage styles. Local clubs like Walthamstow FC have run heritage-inspired kits for two seasons, emphasising pride over disposability.
