10. Arsenal: 1991-93
As football shirts calmed down in the new millennium, Arsenal's '93 early decade epic was branded one of the worst of all time. 20 years later, it was branded a classic. Nicknamed the bruised banana, this is perhaps the definitive Premier League away shirt, referenced in modern kits, still available on merch and idiosyncratic to Gooners – despite Adidas giving other sides the pattern.
9. Nigeria: home, 2018
This is the product that changed football kit culture forever. Inspired by those 90s eagle feathers, this ascended beyond football fans and became an item of clothing that couldn't be bought for love nor money – it convinced manufacturers that playing it safe wasn't safe at all. Nigeria's 2018 home kit was part of a larger collection and a larger movement: it was worn once in Russia but more than that, it's modern art.
8. Boca Juniors: home, 1981
Legend has it that Boca Juniors got their colours from the Swedish flag. Some may argue their version has outdone the Scandinavians. Pre-Barcelona, Diego Maradona scampered about wearing this top in a perfect collision of iconic club, clothing and certified demi-god. It will always be in fashion.
7. Liverpool: home, 1993-95
The design looked like God's own hands lifting Liverpool heroes into the sky. The Reds have had some stunning Adidas shirts but this really did take the garibaldi: with triple-striped panels over the kit, touches of green among the white, the most classic of Prem sponsors and a centred badge and logos, they really had no right looking so regal.
6. United States: away, 1994
Nike are all-American and have handled home nation duties for decades now – and yet the greatest-ever United States shirt was made by Adidas. Who said they don't do irony stateside?
The star-splattered special for a 'Murican World Soccer Series, this has just never been beaten. The textured blue looks almost denim, with red flourishes to boot. It's still incredible.
5. Borussia Dortmund: home, 1995/96
As football shirts were becoming more commercial, this may well have been the top to convince Dortmund never to deviate from black and yellow ever – even for away shirts. The perfection of the black curve cutting into a straight slice on either sleeve is a pattern for the ages, while the fluorescent yellow, tyre sponsor and Futura Nike logo all make this one a cult find.
4. Netherlands: home, 1998
If even Vincent van Gogh had created this masterpiece, we’re sure some people would’ve raised their eyebrows at just how spectacular it is.
The perfect shading of orange bought together by the classic chevrons, a divine V-neck, the trefoil Adidas logo and that iconic Dutch lion badge all make this kit simply wonderful.
Search for this shirt on Ebay
3. Newcastle United: home, 1995-97
Adidas wrestled Keegan’s Entertainers off Asics and hit an immediate home run.
The grandad neck collar was a tribute to the style worn by Hughie Gallagher when Newcastle last won the league in 1927 – and they almost ended 69 years of hurt in this shirt, famously blowing a sizeable lead on Manchester United. At least they looked great.
2. West Germany: home, 1998-90
According to legend, the pattern is supposed to represent West Germany's timeline. Victory in 1974 at the World Cup cascades down to the low point four years later, as they're dumped out at the second group stage. They then lost two consecutive finals before the pattern's steep incline to 1990's last win as West Germany. A lovely idea… if ruined its appearance on Boca Juniors, Leicester City and Cork City shirts, before it was mirrored for 2018's disastrous tournament in Russia.
The fact is that the Deutsch pattern on Italia 90's top doesn't have to mean anything. It's still arguably the most recognisable geometric squiggle in international football history, emblazoning the German flag in a way that connected the eye-catching primary hues of the 80s and the polygonal experiments of the early 90s. It was so great that the German badge had to awkwardly sit above.
1. Denmark: home, 1986
No football shirt will be all things to all men – and yet Denmark's 1986 resolution of halved segments is just that. It's gentle pinstripes and pure red: all at once. It's jarring on an 80s TV set and dazzling in person. It's both minimal and loud.
This is a football shirt like nothing else in history and yet it's totally impossible to copy it and do it better than the original. Denmark took one of these to the 1986 World Cup and a white version with the badge inverted, while the likes of Southampton and Aston Villa were given similar designs by the brand. But there's no beating this one. Even the no-frills, no-logo protests of Qatar don't come close. It's Laudrup the elder, Simonson and Molby in full throttle: it's devastating.
