sports
February 10, 2026
‘Every shirt has a story’: the designers saving football kits from landfill
The beautiful game has a fast fashion problem, with clubs bringing out multiple kits every season. But a move towards upcycling old shirts and wearing vintage garments is on the rise
TL;DR
- Up to 60% of football kits are destroyed at the end of the season, with over 1 billion shirts in circulation globally.
- Designers like Hattie Crowther are transforming old football shirts into unique items like headpieces, reframing them beyond disposable products.
- Brands such as (re)boot and Vintage Threads offer services to rework football shirts into dresses, jackets, and tops, appealing to customers seeking unique styles.
- Modern football shirts are often made from virgin polyester, a plastic that releases microplastics and takes centuries to decompose, with clubs releasing an increasing number of kits.
- The popularity of retro football kits and initiatives like Green Football's campaign encourage swapping, donating, and repurposing kits to reduce waste and carbon footprints.
- Circular economy models in fashion, including upcycling and reselling pre-loved shirts, offer financial and environmental benefits that football clubs are beginning to explore.
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