If I had a dollar for every Manchester United jersey, or “kit,” I saw on campus, I would have enough money to buy the egregious number of new players Chelsea has this season.
Even if I have to be ambushed by the atrocious Man United red, it’s nice to see football fans in a nation full of football fans. A soccer jersey represents far more than just a love for “the Beautiful Game”; it expresses identity and loyalty.
These days it seems that a soccer jersey is the only item of clothing that can be found in the closets of blokecore enthusiasts, who are essentially the love child of a fashion influencer and football fanatic. That list also includes 10-year-old soccer fans, sporty dads and trend hoppers alike.
In short, it has transcended locker rooms and the pitch, entering mainstream style.
Back in my day — and by that I mean two years ago — sporting a soccer jersey signified a deeper connection to the sport. Jerseys served as visual dedication to a country or club.
While some may argue that the emergence of soccer jerseys into pop culture dilutes their purpose, I love seeing them everywhere.
Whether it’s a hardcore fan or someone who picked up the jersey for its aesthetic appeal, it’s all a part of soccer’s growing presence in mainstream American culture. The more I see people in soccer jerseys, the more I feel like I’m a part of something bigger — a global soccer community, even when I’m just walking through campus.
My jerseys are loaded with personal nostalgia. The first jersey I bought was a Chelsea 2022-23 home kit with “Pulisic 10” plastered on the back. I felt like I had finally leveled up to a real soccer fan because I officially committed to becoming a Chelsea fan for life. Unbeknownst to me, this seemingly inconsequential choice I made in February 2023 would cause me unrelenting misery for years to come.
I donned my Chelsea jersey proud for every match, only to be met with utter disappointment when the team would lose against the likes of Nottingham Forest or Bournemouth. Still, I wore that jersey through all of Chelsea’s losses.
After a rough season with four different coaches, Chelsea was bound to have some substantial restructuring during the 2023 transfer season. Every morning that summer, I braced for the worst. I would anxiously check Fabrizio Romano’s Instagram page to see if any of my favorite Chelsea players were transferring.
César Azpilicueta transferred to Atlético Madrid, Mason Mount to Manchester United, Kai Havertz to Arsenal, N’Golo Kante to Al Ittihad and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to AC Milan, to name a few. Despite these tough departures, nothing could sway my commitment to this godforsaken club.
On a particularly upsetting morning in July, it had been confirmed that Christian Pulisic — the player I became a Chelsea fan for — was leaving the club to play for AC Milan. At this point, I was seriously considering switching my allegiance for my own sanity. After all, a girl can only take so many losses.
But I had already invested $45 in my Chelsea jersey and hours of my time supporting my club. There’s something sentimental about putting on a polyester top with your team’s crest over your heart. How could I turn my back on them when I carried their name on my back?
Regardless of who stays or leaves, whether Chelsea is at risk of relegation or soaring to the top of the table, I will always wear my Chelsea jersey to show my loyalty.
The irony of the rise of jersey sales is that they’re not actually rooted in materialism. They allow fans to express their passion from every corner of the world and every fandom.
From chronic fans such as myself who watch matches religiously, to young children with their favorite players on their backs for the first time, soccer jerseys connect fans across generations and cultures.
Jerseys are badges of honor and visible declarations of loyalty that transcend borders. They’re a way to showcase my inner football hooligan without saying a word.
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