The Copa America has kicked off with a bang, and while the football has been impressive, the real excitement lies in the teams’ new kits. Overall, the home kits for the tournament are looking pretty good, with only a few exceptions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout kits.
Adidas seems to have missed the mark with Jamaica’s kit. There’s a lot going on, with a busy background pattern and green shoulders that don’t quite work. However, the kit does include depictions of Jamaica’s national bird, which is a nice touch.
Colombia’s kit also falls short. The slightly anaemic red trim doesn’t do justice to the traditional yellow and blue colors. It would be better suited as an away shirt rather than Colombia’s home jersey.
Costa Rica’s kit might be a bit too mesmerizing. The design is hypnotic and can make your eyes and brain feel fuzzy after staring at it for too long. It’s like Kaa from The Jungle Book trying to mesmerize Mowgli.
Nike’s Copa America shirts are generally strong, but their Paraguay kit stands out. The diagonal thin blue stripes across the shirt represent the traditional Paraguayan harp, which is unexpected but interesting.
Brazil’s kit keeps things relatively simple but effective. The background design resembles a child’s crayon drawing, incorporating elements from musical notes to famous Brazilian landmarks. It’s a striking look for the team.
Adidas gets it right with Chile’s kit. While it starts with a template design, the small tweaks make it individual and not boring. The blue shoulder stripes and diamond-shaped background pattern, which resembles the star from the national flag, are strong choices.
Ecuador brings back the sash design, paying tribute to their past kits. It’s a bold and relatively simple look, although there might be some legal issues since the regulations state that the front and back of shirts should be the same color.
Uruguay’s kit was released just before the tournament started, and it’s worth the wait. The black and white details on the collar and sleeves add variation to an otherwise basic design.
Reebok makes a rare appearance with Chile’s kit. The diamond background pattern gives the shirt some flair, reminiscent of the late 1990s/early 2000s. It’s a pleasant surprise to see Reebok back in action.
Venezuela’s kit, designed by Adidas, lets the colors do the work. The deep red wine and gold color scheme is striking on its own, and the standard template allows the colors to shine.
Peru’s kit is a classic that never goes out of style. The only critique is that the gold Adidas stripes make it resemble a Swansea kit from 2015 with a red sash added. Overall, it’s a timeless design.
The United States’ kit is a standout, capturing the essence of patriotism. Nike took a prismatic approach to refresh the color scheme, resulting in a clean design that pays homage to the nation’s colors. It’s a delightful shirt that will make you feel proud.
Lastly, Marathon Sports deserves recognition for their kit design for Ecuador. The pale green color is a refreshing choice, and the various details on the sleeve, shoulder panels, and collar are tastefully deployed without overwhelming the shirt. It’s a triumph for a non-mainstream kit designer.
In conclusion, while there were a few misses in terms of kit designs, the Copa America has showcased some impressive and unique jerseys. From cultural references to classic designs, each kit tells its own story and adds to the excitement of the tournament.