We’re back and ready to do it all over again – calcio has returned, and with it comes 20 new home shirts to rank. As usual, the fashion capital of the world’s domestic competition boasts the most unique kit suppliers of any top league. But in this showcase of diversity, who has the best threads? Read on to find out.
#20 – MONZA
They took the same kit from last year and added the Purina dog food checkers to the bottom…
#19 – FROSINONE
I was going to write something about how this is not a particularly appealing jersey, but I can’t keep my eyes off of the top horizontal stripe and how it appears to branch off into the crest. Once you see it you can’t unsee it.
#18 – INTER
This looks like, for their only submission to Italy’s top flight, Nike sat down at the drawing board and asked, “How can we take last year’s powerful design and do a worse version of it?” The Coppa Italia coccarda placement is still painfully awkward, but now it’s above a swoosh and badge turned a ruinously sickly neon yellow for no reason (they don’t even match the white namesets on the back). The glitch pattern isn’t particularly inspired, but at least the stripes continue all the way around the shirt, something rivals Juve and Milan can’t seem to figure out.
#17 – MILAN
This looks like a red shirt that’s been run over by some large, muddy tires. And why is the back blank? Not great.
#16 – JUVENTUS
Despite the impressive designs they make for other top teams, Adidas continues to disappoint the Old Lady. This overwrought top makes it nine years straight out of nine with an inexplicable big blank box on the back instead of continuing the design fully across the entire shirt. What’s the point of adding gold trim if you’re not going to use that gold to color numbers over the stripes like other brands do (and why is it that garish shade of dark yellow, regardless)? The zebra pattern is an interesting idea, but it didn’t come out that well, especially clashed against the German company’s own redundant, truncated three lines. At least the players won’t turn out in the absurd Guy Fieri Hot Wheels edition that’s run fans a shocking €249.
#15 – SASSUOLO
Puma are having a real shocker with stripes this season across the board. Why are the black ones different distances apart from each other? Or are the green stripes different widths for some reason? This looks like a janky knockoff shirt up close, but zoomed out on the TV broadcast it may appear fine enough.
#14 – LECCE
Still self-producing their kits, Pugliese minnows Lecce aren’t afraid to stand out. Superimposing a photo of their tifosi across the chest is a bit much, but you can’t deny it conveys their excitement about beating the drop and breaking their record for season ticket holders.
#13 – HELLAS VERONA
To be fair, blue and yellow has never been the easiest color combo to get magic out of, and the architecture of it isn’t bad, but Verona have certainly done better than this in the past.
#12 – EMPOLI
Once again it seems Kappa, deservedly famous for being purveyors of the finest kits in the game, have apparently forgotten to assign a designer to Empoli. Considering the absolute beauties they roll out at all levels of the game, even for far more obscure clubs, it really is a mystery why the blue boys of Tuscany always get such uncharacteristically bland shirts.
#11 – CAGLIARI
While I appreciate the dedication to alternating the red and blue at every possible opportunity on the shirt, at that point, they should’ve really committed to the bit and had the shorts and socks continue the pattern as well. Otherwise forgettable from Serie A newcomers Eye Sport.
#10 – TORINO
This jersey is made with recycled materials as well as recycled ideas. Not much has changed, but to be fair not much needs to when things stay solid enough. Every other year Torino adds a nice little bull in the background, but sadly this is his year off.
#9 – UDINESE
Eschewing their usual stripes for a 40+ year throwback, this Udinese effort is certainly bold. Why is the shirt sponsor placed so low, though? It ruins the balance of an otherwise strong structure.
#8 – SALERNITANA
The flair of the wave pattern on the collar and sleeves verges on fantastic, even if the buttons make it feel dangerously close to a golf polo territory. Salernitana supporters will be hoping that, in their sophomore Serie A season, their squad improves over last year as much as their shirt has.
#7 – ROMA
Reuniting with Roma after two decades away, Adidas have remade the design they left off with. With the cool factor of their vintage alternate crest being returning to a home kit framed by simple retro stylings, it’s an exciting concept. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a bit to be desired – missing the proper collar and the richness of the particular shades of red and orange from the ‘90s, the comeback effort feels a bit cheap and underwhelming, approaching the cusp of greatness but letting it slip.
#6 – ATALANTA
Yet another smart effort from La Dea. Simple, centered, and punctuated by a strong collar, there’s a subtle haze of geometry that adds some texture upon closer inspection.
#5 – LAZIO
It’s crisp, and giant watermark eagles are always cool. Not bad at all.
#4 – GENOA
After taking a year off from both Serie A and Kappa, Genoa return to both with a sharp shirt. What do you think the background watermark pattern is – the ocean, marble, or prosciutto?
#3 – NAPOLI
They won the league, they get the Italian colors draped around them. Undoubtedly their strongest showing since leaving Kappa and going in-house, Napoli surprise a bit by opting for mid-to-late-aughts nostalgia with the white piping instead of the Maradona-era ‘80s full-circle moment you may have expected. Then again, if they roll out 10 more shirts like usual, it could still be coming yet.
#2 – BOLOGNA
With several clubs donning this nearly-identical Rossoblù color scheme and structure without much variation each year, it can be difficult to stand out. Bologna do really well here, though – the smooth, seamless look almost feels like a superhero suit, while the throwback watermark pastiche is a flavorful contrasting touch.
#1 – FIORENTINA
Officially described as “intertwining lilies… creating a DNA-like effect,” Fiorentina’s home shirt looks more like chainmail made out of the silver chains you’d wear around your neck. Either way, this skilled blend of uniform and streetwear’s got real panache.
Revisit 2023/24’s rankings here.
