History and Evolution of FC Barcelona's Iconic Jerseys Over 100 Years

The History of Barcelona's Iconic Jerseys

The famous red and blue stripes of FC Barcelona are recognized around the world. As one of the most successful and beloved football clubs, Barcelona's jerseys have become synonymous with excellence and victory.

2022 marks 100 years since the creation of Barcelona's first official jersey. To celebrate this milestone, let's look back at the history of Barca's iconic kits.

The Early Days

In 1922, Barcelona adopted their first official jersey - a yellow and red striped shirt paired with white shorts. This unusual color scheme was inspired by the stripes on the flag of Barcelona city.

However, this original design received heavy criticism from fans and was replaced in 1925 by the now-classic blaugrana (blue and dark red) vertical stripes. Paired with white shorts and dark blue socks, this kit established Barcelona's identity.

The Classic Home Kit

Since 1925, Barcelona's distinctive home jersey has remained largely unchanged. The blaugrana stripes have become a symbol of the club's Catalan heritage.

Minor variations have included thinner or wider stripes, solid red or blue shorts, and accents like the red and yellow crosses of the Catalan flag. But the iconic vertical stripes remain a constant.

Barcelona take great pride in their home kit and aim to maintain its integrity. As vice president Jordi Moix stated: "The stripe gives us a sense of belonging. It's immovable."

Memorable Away Kits

While Barcelona's home jersey is steeped in tradition, their away kits allow for more creativity and variation. Some of the most memorable include:

• The psychedelic "tie dye" shirt of 1991-92
• The bold orange and yellow stripes of 2014-15
• The "Senyera" kit inspired by the flag of Catalonia in 2018-19
• The stylized "city lights" design of 2020-21

These unique and eye-catching away jerseys provide fresh takes on Barcelona's iconic colors and heritage.

Special Edition Jerseys

Barcelona have released various special edition jerseys over the years to commemorate milestones and achievements:

• The sash design worn in 2005-06 to celebrate becoming European champions.
• The gold lettering on the 2011 Champions League winning jersey.
• The "Barça" text instead of a sponsor in 2016-17 to celebrate the club's history.
• The 2022 "Years of Glory" jersey honoring 100 seasons in La Liga.

These special designs allow fans to own a piece of history and celebrate Barcelona's accomplishments.

Looking to the Future

While always honoring tradition, Barcelona continue to release innovative new kits every season. Recent designs incorporate fashionable details like polka dot prints and geometric patterns.

Collaborations with brands like Nike and Thom Browne also reinterpret Barcelona's iconic jerseys in new styles. Unique details like button collars and embroidered logos put a modern twist on the classic stripes.

As Barcelona heads into their next 100 years, their jerseys will continue evolving while retaining their storied identity. Each kit tells its own story of Barca's excellence.

Barcelona's jerseys represent more than just a football club. They embody the passion of millions of fans worldwide who stand behind the famous red and blue stripes.

FAQs

What are Barcelona's original jersey colors?

Barcelona's first official jersey in 1922 was yellow and red vertical stripes, inspired by the Barcelona city flag. This was soon changed in 1925 to the now iconic blue and red vertical stripes.

How many variations of the home jersey has Barcelona had?

While the classic blue and red vertical stripes have remained largely unchanged, there have been minor variations over the years in terms of stripe width, shorts color, and small accents like the Catalan flag colors.

When did Barcelona first collaborate with Nike?

FC Barcelona began its partnership with Nike in 1998. Nike has since released innovative Barcelona kits that put modern twists on the classic home and away jersey designs.

What jersey did Barcelona wear when they won the 2011 Champions League?

Barcelona wore a classic home kit with blue and red vertical stripes and gold lettering in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final when they defeated Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley.

What jersey is Barcelona wearing to celebrate 100 seasons in La Liga?

For the 2022-2023 season, Barcelona is wearing a special "Years of Glory" jersey to commemorate 100 seasons in La Liga. It features the years of their La Liga title victories within the vertical stripes.