Groundbreaking kit, ‘Tailored by Umbro’
brings women’s tailoring to England women’s team for the first time
The new England women’s home kit will be worn in a competitive match for the first time on Tuesday 25th August when England begin their 2009 European Championship campaign against Italy in Finland. The kit, created using a bespoke tailoring process for each player, is notable for its clean, classic, simplified look and has been the product of a complex design journey.
Umbro has reclaimed its proud heritage with a modern, ‘Football Tailoring’ concept, which involved fitting sessions for every player, making each individual squad member’s kit unique to them. Having been awarded central contracts for the first time in May 2009 to help the players concentrate on full-time training and playing it seemed fitting for Umbro to tailor the kit for the women’s team in the same way as the men’s team.
England kick off their campaign against Italy and then face similarly tough opposition against Sweden and Russia. Under the tutelage of long-time coach Hope Powell the team will be hopeful they can improve on the last two European Championships and make the play-offs this year.
In line with the new ‘Football Tailoring’ approach, the new England women’s shirt will be the first ever to be sold in women’s sizes instead of the previously conventional small, medium and large sizes.
Umbro’s design team, headed up by senior designer David Blanch, was joined by noted RCA graduate Aitor Throup, a specialist in motion design and Savile Row trained tailor Charlie Allen. Together they deconstructed the traditional kit and evaluated every stitch and seam in relation to its purpose in football.
The result is a stylish, made-to-measure kit specifically designed to adapt to and reflect player movement during a game. The fabric used is an evolution of current kit materials, combining a high cotton content with performance capabilities and breathability. The shorts come in different length fittings and even the socks have had seams repositioned and feature special ankle sections for improved fit.
Every detail on the kit has been considered: from the easy-hanging, darted shoulders and ribbed, vented underarm, to the flattened inside seams; from the single-button placket collar to the layout of the airflow vents (which are arranged in the pattern of the roses on the Crest). Every detail is designed purposefully for ultimate performance and stylish appearance. The kit also features a small section under the badge for the name of the opposition and the match date for each game.
The new England shirt will be available from sports retailers and online through theumbroshop.co.uk with a recommended retail price of £50.
