By Riccardo Giannini
- The latest instalment in this series is contributed by Milan fan, Italian football expert and all-round legend Riccardo. His site Il Bazar del Calcio is well worth checking out
Milan have looked to the past with their new change kit, the fifth since changing from adidas to Puma.
The horizontal stripes – ‘floating’, like those on the home strip – call to mind the designs of the 1980s, though of course it is hard to beat the original (see below).
The Rossoneri have had some great alternative kits to the classic vertical stripes of the home outfit – so much so that we have gone for two categories, top five white away kits – always a favourite with Milan – and top five darker change uniforms.
White (second)
1995-97
Lotto took up the concept of the Rossoneri band, but broke it and placed it vertically.
A shirt that had a resounding success in sales, embellished with geometric overlay motifs.
1989-90
An historic jersey of the European Cup-winning Milan led by president Silvio Berlusconi – the 1988-89 continental victory commemorated with an image of the trophy under the gold star for ten league titles – and the iconic central band in which red prevails over black.
Unique notes of colour for a totally white shirt. Also suggestive is the version used in the Champions League final, without the central band and with the Rossoneri collar.
1984-85
Designed by the Rolly Go brand – and now reproduced by Golazzo – it features the iconic Rossoneri central band, which is replicated by successive pinstripes. Another noteworthy detail is the striping on the white collar.
2002-03
The jersey of the great Champions League final triumph of Old Trafford against Juventus, the innovative double-1layer jersey of adidas, with the elegant red and black triple stripe on the sleeves.
The only drawback is the collar of a single color: it would have been a more beautiful uniform with black to finish the red base of the collar.
2012-13
One of the most beautiful AC Milan away jerseys designed by adidas: a remake of the historic uniform of the late 80s, with the central Rossoneri band to which thin tricolor strips are added.
Non-white (third/fourth)
1996-97 third
The first black jersey in the history of AC Milan: elegant, but at the same time innovative due to the overlayed geometric motifs.
The collar is among the most elaborate and elegant, with the red of the decorations that stands out the most.
1998-99 third
A much-loved shirt because it was worn in Perugia, in the match that crowned Milan as the 1998-99 Italian champions.
The three stripes of Adidas decorate the sleeves, but also form the central motif.
The strong points of the shirt are the splendid polo collar and the stripes that define the cuffs and sleeves.
1995-96 fourth
At the time, it was a shirt that the Rossoneri fans did not like due to the combination of black and blue, the colors of rivals Internazionale.
Over time it has become a piece of absolute cult: a shirt that reflects the period in which the Italian company Lotto dared more.
Geometries, shades and very elegant red and black decorations. The shirt was worn only in friendlies with Standard Liège and Benfica, which has made it become more iconic.
1997-98 third
One of the rare red jerseys of Milan, particularly innovative for the central blade formed by vertical stripes and two shaded bands.
It was worn only once in the league in a defeat at Udinese, but it has remained a cult shirt for the fans in the last year of collaboration between Lotto and AC Milan.
2017-18 third
The last black jersey prepared by adidas for Milan, designed by a fan in a contest, an ideal homage to the 1990s shirts.
Dark grey horizontal bands on black, the red insert that fades: a modern template that has effectively winked at the past.
Why no Lotto mark on the 1997/98 third shirt?
Because I am a stupid bastard who didn’t double-check his work! Will get that fixed
Very superb job!!! but… the first black jersey (and red one too…) in the history of AC Milan was produced in the 40’s…. For the blue one it wasn’t a total news for Milan because they wore one blue in Latina Cup in the 50’s 🙂
On a slight “change” off subject … see what I did there 🤣……With AC Milan almost every season I’m never quite sure if while playing in the San Siro ……if the famous
red and black stripes home shirt “default “ full home kit setting comes…
Opinion 1
always with both white shorts and socks
Opinion 2
Always with white shorts and black socks …in which case do they religiously stick to that or do they change socks for both Milan derby league games or only the “away” fixture
Opinion 3
Always with both black shorts and black socks … in which case again as in 2. do they religiously stick to that or change for both home and away Milan derby league games or only the “away” inter game …?
Opinion 4
Or do they do an man United or a spurs European kit colours thing? In that they have a set opinion from the 3 above ( probably 2 or 3) for domestic games and then a different option ( most likely 1) off the above for European games …
And open question to you ac fans and kit nerds … what combination do you think is best for home games? For my 2 cents I like 2 or 3 unless it’s either home or away inter derby league game(s) in which case I prefer ac in 1 (white shorts and socks) and also in all European home games games if it doesn’t cause a bigger clash problem then if the black socks would have. If I’m head kit designer I’m have all white = away kit all black = 3rd kit all red = 4th/ away vs Juve 3rd and 4th kits cane also double up as goalie kits if not wearing green or grey or yellow.