Chelsea Football Club is one of the largest and most successful teams in English soccer, especially over the past decade. Along with their rich history and strong legacy of success, Chelsea FC is also known for their iconic kits that have witnessed countless triumphs on the field. From the club’s simple navy blue colour palette, representing the club’s identity to innovative designs showcasing their dedication to improvement, you can be rest assured that the Blues squad is always going to be dressed to impress. A select few styles in a long history of glorious kits have remained at the forefront of our minds and there are some fan favourites that will certainly go down in history from top brands like Umbro, Le Coq Sportif, Adidas, and Nike. Let’s take a look at some of the best Chelsea FC kits of all time and celebrate the club’s iconic English style that’s celebrated by millions!
The Chelsea home kit from 1981-1983 is often celebrated as one of the club’s most iconic jerseys. Designed by French designers Le Coq Sportif, this marked the very first Chelsea shirt in history to feature pinstripes. The 1981-1983 home kit has been worn famously by legendary Ian Britton, Micky Droy, Colin Pates, Gary Locke, and John Bumstead, making it memorable for fans who remember the thrilling matches of that era!
1997-1999 Home Kit
The Chelsea FC home kit from 1997-1999 is remembered as one of the most iconic and stylish jerseys in the club’s history. Designed by Umbro, the famous kit is associated with a famous European triumph when the club achieved glory in the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup wearing this shirt. The large white panels on the sleeves and shorts had never been seen before and haven't been replicated since, while the collar gives it a distinctly 90s vibe. The subtle pinstripes complete a very unique look. There are also the famous Autoglass sponsors on the center of the jersey, which just adds to the classic feel of this kit. It was famously worn by Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, Frank Sinclair, Gianfranco Zola, Dan Petrescu, and Mark Hughes!
1987-1989 Home Kit
The Chelsea 1987-1989 home kit is considered a nostalgic classic for fans around the world, featuring a combination of traditional and bold design elements. This original crosshatch design was first introduced by Umbro in the summer of 1987. The combination of their logo and the checkered look has become iconic, with this now among the most sought-after Chelsea shirts for collectors. It’s also believed that this bolder take on Chelsea’s kit sparked the arrival of more geometric patterns for future beloved kits and marked the beginning of a new design era for the club! It was famously worn by notable players such as Kerry Dixon and Frank Sinclair.
2020-21 Third Kit
This 2020-2021 Chelsea third kit may be a shocking addition to our list of favourites; however, we believe it deserves an honorable mention for being one of the only kits in the club’s history to not be dominantly blue. The kit was a bold move by Nike, with the club’s traditional blue colors being forced into the background by a prominent red color scheme throughout the kit. The kit was finished off with a giant ‘3’ in the center in an alternative and edgy font choice. Marking a famous year for the club as they took their 2nd UEFA Champions League title by beating fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the final, this kit will be remembered among the icons!
2024-2025 Home Kit
Aside from the previous kits mentioned that feature a more vintage feel, we had to also include a modern take that perfectly captures a new era for the club. The new 2024-2025 Chelsea home kit’s outstanding design is inspired by "that fire that burns inside every blue." This home kit reflects a blend of tradition and modern design embracing the club’s identity, while also bringing a fresh take on the classic Chelsea blue. Designed by Nike, the kit combines the traditional blue, white, and orange. The logos have a 3D effect and are light blue with an orange outline. The main focus of the new kit is, of course, the unique wavy design, vaguely reminiscent of the effect of a foam ocean wave.
1970-1971 Home Kit
Finally, another Chelsea home kit that will go down in history as one of the best kits of all time is the groundbreakingly simple 1970-1971 home kit. At first glance, this kit may not seem like anything special. It is nothing more than a full-blue ensemble with no sponsor or manufacturers logo to be found anywhere on the shirt. However, the overly basic design is what makes this jersey so iconic! Chelsea has proven that they don’t need anything aside from their old-style logo and a blue kit to dominate on the field and we commend them for that. They even won the FA Cup while wearing the simple and sleek 1970-1971 home kit!
Now that you’ve seen our list of the best Chelsea kits of all time, which one do you think deserves the top spot? We predict 2024/25 will be known as one of the most inspirational years for kit designs. Before you purchase your favourite from this list, be sure to read our blog post: ‘How to Tell If a Soccer Jersey Is Authentic’. Also check out our curated selection of Signed Jerseys and World Cup Jerseys.
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