Most people wait for summer because they like lying on the beach with a cold drink. But, football fans wait for it because they want to see the new football kits. Now, if you know something about it, you know that there is the home kit, the away kit, and the third kit. But is the third kit actually needed? Some say that it’s just some kind of marketing strategy. Others say that it is something related to fashion. This article is going to go into why this kit exists, and we’ll decide if it’s needed or not.
It Began as a Utility
The third kit’s existence was born out of a need. Sometimes, both the home and the away kit clashed with the colours of the other team. That’s when the third kit would come onto the field. This didn’t happen that often, so the third kit was not really ever on the field. And when it was, it was nothing special. The design was never meant to attract attention. The shirts were usually bland, and not really in tone with the home and away football kits. As already mentioned, they were used only when it was needed.
But, at some point, something shifted. In the last 20-something years, the third kit has become almost as important as the other two options. Designers and clubs use it as a chance to experiment. It gives them the opportunity to try and see how the fans respond to certain colours or patterns. Based on the feedback they receive, they might make some changes to next summer’s kit. If a designer wants to try something a little bolder, which might feel unnatural for the club, the third kit is the perfect one to try it on!
Money Has a Say
As you probably expected, money also has a say in this. Football kits are a financial goldmine. The fans love them, and they buy and collect them. There is no way that you don’t know, or haven’t seen, at least one person wearing a football shirt. To say that they are popular would be an understatement. Just take a look at this statistic showcasing how many shirts were sold in 2021, by club. The club lowest of the list is Manchester City, with over 1,000,000 shirts sold worldwide. And the first one on the list, Bayern Munich, which sold 3,250,000 shirts in 2021.
Therefore, it is clear that it is profitable for the club. A third kit means another option that fans might like and want to buy. If someone doesn’t like the home and away kits, they might like the third one. Giving diverse options to the fans leads to more sales. But, don’t get it twisted, because fans love it! After all, no one forces them to buy the shirts. They just make them tempting enough for the fans not to be able to remove them from their cart.
Its Individuality Sparks Love
The home kit represents tradition and love. The away kit represents power and strength. And, last but not least, the third kit represents individuality. You are not the fan who just bought the first shirt they saw. You are the fan who spends time analysing the kit, choosing the one that you actually like. While it allows the club to reveal its identity a little more, it also allows the fans to showcase that they don’t follow the trends, but rather set them! Moreover, the third kit is often the best one to wear on a day-to-day basis. This allows you to be a fan in public, while also keeping things casual.
And, above all of this, collectors love them. Why? Because third football kits are usually manufactured in smaller numbers, which makes them rarer. It’s a statement piece, and that’s why the fans like it. It’s something different, that slightly slides away from tradition, but not far enough for it to be strange. If you are one of the fans who prefer a bolder design, you are probably always excited to see the third kits. And, if you like a football shirt with a polo-style collar, this is the option that might have it.
The Future of the Third Kit
If we are looking ahead, the third kit doesn’t seem to be losing its popularity, on the contrary! Football, and sports in general, seem to be meddling more and more with fashion, music, gaming and just pop culture. Brands that are selling something, no matter if it’s in the online or offline world, will collaborate with football clubs. Which means that the third kit will become even more relevant than now. You might start seeing them in video games, new music videos and in collaboration with your favourite store in the mall.
While all of this is true, there is another important detail. There is a slight possibility that the third kit will lose some of its meaning. Even if it’s unlikely, fans might grow tired of having too many questions. To put it in perspective, some fans don’t see the purpose of the away kit either. But, as things evolve, we will have to wait and see how the fans react. What’s certain is that, as of now, fans love the third kit, and continue to buy it as often as they do with the other options. Because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love more options of the things that they love?
Conclusion
Football kits are the football players’ uniforms. A shirt, a pair of shorts, and socks to match. They usually come in three options per season. The home kit, the away kit, and the third kit. And while the first two have an obvious purpose, the third kit can sometimes be confusing. Some people even call it useless. But how can a kit that allows both the club and the fans to express their identity be useless? What began as a utility, became a way for the club to bring more money in, while also making the fans happy.