Nike reveals herringbone-patterned Chelsea kit informed by Saville Row

Sportswear company Nike looked to the suit-makers of Saville Row to design London-based Chelsea Football Club's home kit for the upcoming 2020/2021 Premier League season.

The home kit, which will be used by Chelsea Football Club's men's and women's teams, has a blue shirt and shorts that are both covered with a herringbone pattern.

Nike designed the football kit to directly reference the bespoke suits that are made on Saville Row – a street in Mayfair, central London renowned for offering traditional tailoring services for men.

"Inspired by London's long association with master tailors and their exquisite craftsmanship, the Blues' new home jersey ventures into the realm of statement shirting: a luscious, textured, modern classic, wholly befitting the capital's most stylish club," explained Nike.

"Just as Chelsea is woven into the fabric of London life, the city's rich fashion heritage is woven into the new shirts, the traditional blue elevated by a subtle all-over herringbone knit and garnished with bespoke flourishes."

The herringbone-patterned material is complemented with dark blue tape that runs down both sides of the shirt from the arms to the waistline, which is embossed with the words "The Pride of London".

According to the designers, the font and colouring of the lettering is a nod towards labels that are sewn inside the hand made suits.

"London is the epicentre of English tailoring and the kit takes its inspiration from this iconic craft," said Scott Munson, vice president of Nike Football Apparel.

"We paid tribute to the work of these skilled tailors with the use of bespoke details and trims to create a really crisp aesthetic, which complements Chelsea's uniquely stylish identity."

"The kit is really, really smart — very Chelsea," added striker Tammy Abraham.

"You can see the story behind the kit with how it looks and all the little touches that remind you of a good suit."

Nike has also designed the ball for the 2020/21 Premier League season. Named the Flight ball, it is covered in geometric grooves and sculpted chevrons to reduce drag.

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