After a long and hotly-anticipated wait, Nike have finally pulled back the veil on the’ England World Cup Home Shirt 2014 that the Three Lions will wear this summer.
With a strong focus on keeping players cool and – as with Nike’s other World Cup kits – bringing a sense of style as well as hints towards a teams international legacy.
Two references really stood out during the design process for the home kit ” that stunning all-white kit England wore in Mexico in 1970 and the idea of the armour of English Knights.
You can see subtle references to the armour in the pinstripe, which carries a hint of shine, and the white satin tape on the shoulders. We wanted to add some small detail that echoed the glow of the armour worn by St George. – Martin Lotti
The famous three lions crest has a metallic weave added to create another shimmering effect, most noticable when the crest catches the light.
Inside the back of the neck is a pennant tab with a graphic of silver pinstripes that together create a St George’s cross.
The jersey has a modern V-neck collar which is both functional and styled for sport.
The 1970 inspiration can be seen in the full kit. The new shorts are a classic white with a satin white tape along each side to create the same distinctive shine as the shoulders of the shirt.
The fit of the shorts is slimmer and more tailored to the body, based on fit research with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The central back section of the shorts features Nike’s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management. The new home socks are also white.
“I’m always proud to put on the England kit and with these ones it’ll be no different. I can’t wait to get out to Brasil and play in them this summer.ĹĄ – Wayne Rooney
Tech-wise,a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, śburnoutť mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localise cooling where players need it most.
Sustainability is once again a core of Nike’s kit design, with the’ England World Cup Home Shirt 2014′ using approximately 18 plastic bottles per kit in the form of polyester created from reclaimed waste from landfill sites.
England will give a debut to the new Home Shirt for 2014 when they take on Peru at Wembley on May 30th.
The new kit will go on pre-order today with a full retail release on April 3rd.
