England have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in style – and we’re not just talking about the football.
Having scored 12 goals on their way to the last eight, the Three Lions will take on France and the outstanding Kylian Mbappe on Saturday in a bid to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side have looked bright and energetic on the pitch, not least thanks to their vibrant home kit.
Released in September earlier this year, the white and blue shirt was worn for all three of the group games, which England got through without tasting defeat.
The Three Lions are yet to wear their stylish red away kit – but it could get an outing for the Senegal clash.
Both kits contain a number of hidden features and easter eggs which show Nike’s meticulous attention to detail.
The home kit has a distorted Three Lions graphic on the shoulders, layered with aggressive angles and lines to replicate a lion coming to life with claw marks.
Its use of blue is a nod to the kits of 1992 and 1996, while also reflecting the youthful energy of Southgate’s side.
Click here to gear up with Nike’s national team home and away jerseys
Following the release of the kit, an England statement read: “Nike’s design team took inspiration from the bold, energetic spirit of the young group of England players who are not afraid to express themselves both on and off the pitch. They were also inspired by their cohesive teamwork, togetherness, and movement.
“This identity inspired Nike’s design team to bring a new attitude and aesthetic to the England National Team collection that speaks to the stalwart spirit and collective energy of the young Lions.”
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Meanwhile, the fonts used for names and numbers are designed to replicate heavy metal rock bands.
If you want to channel your inner Eric Cantona, the red away kit has a knitted Three Lions graphic underneath the collar.
Besides some incredible details woven into the kits, they are also the most technologically advanced to date.
Dri-FIT advanced is Nike’s pinnacle level of apparel product and the 2022 World Cup marks its football debut.
Aaron Barnett, Nike’s Senior Director of Product Apparel, told GQ: “We always map all our kits on athletes’ bodies for heat maps and sweat maps, and this year the fourth dimension is our that our team was able to design against the body in motion.
"It's very different than if you're mapping something to a static figure. So if we need to add more structure in the shoulder, more airflow on the chest, we’re able to design at the yarn level.”
The kit is two years in the making and represents a modern attitude to reflect a modern world.
Barnett adds that this is the most sustainable England kit yet.
“Our goal has always been to create products that are best for players and also best for the planet,” said Barnett.
“The total collection is made from over 75 per cent recycled materials, which is a big move forward. And we also had 75 per cent fewer prototypes from start to finish.”
However, the kits would not be what they are without direct consultation with the players.
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Lee Murphy, the Design Director for Nike Football, told GQ: “Nothing replaces that human touch.
“So we get the jerseys in front of players, they still do the regular drills and warm-ups trialling the kits and giving that human touch back to us.”
Click here to gear up with Nike’s national team home and away jerseys
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