--- title: How to Design One of the Best Team Uniforms of All Time description: Practical advice (like not being afraid to be simple) on designing team uniforms from Esquire's All-Time Best Uniforms slideshow. image: https://www.squadlocker.com/hs-fs/file-435769604-jpg/images/yankeespinstripes.jpg --- For the best experience on our site, update your browser to [Google Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/). - [![SquadLocker Logo](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/2018%20Marketing%20Site/sqd-logo-r1.png)](https://www.squadlocker.com) - [![Account](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/2018%20Marketing%20Site/account-icon.svg) My Account Sign up or login ](https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/account/login) - [Build Your Store](https://www.squadlocker.com/getstarted) - [Solutions](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/bid/366075/how-to-design-one-of-the-best-team-uniforms-of-all-time#) [Uniforms](https://www.squadlocker.com/uniforms/squadgear) [Schools](https://www.squadlocker.com/solutions/schools) [Sports Organizations](https://www.squadlocker.com/solutions/organizations) [Businesses](https://www.squadlocker.com/solutions/corporate) - [SquadStudio](https://squadstudio.squadlocker.com/) - [Find Your Store](https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/teams/) - [Find Your Order](https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/dashboard/find-order) - [Contact Us](https://www.squadlocker.com/contact) [> Blog](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog) / How to Design One of the Best Team Uniforms of All Time # How to Design One of the Best Team Uniforms of All Time January 6, 2014 Todd Grant Tags: [Sports Uniforms](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/topic/sports-uniforms) ![Yankees batter wearing pinstriped uniform](https://www.squadlocker.com/hs-fs/file-435769604-jpg/images/yankeespinstripes.jpg?width=234&height=183&name=yankeespinstripes.jpg) Choosing the “best” anything when it comes to sports is obviously a divisive issue.  Determining who has the best team uniforms has sparked many a feud amongst sports fans over the years. The mere attempt to rank jerseys might seem rather hopeless, especially considering the changes in American fashion over the decades (including the general opinion on short-shorts). However we liked the slideshow put together by the editors over at Esquire’s Style Blog on the [17 Best Sports Uniforms of All Time](https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a24151/best-sports-uniforms-of-all-time-0813/).  We noticed some patterns to how certain teams have made their uniforms iconic (like the Yankees’ classic home pinstripes). Here are a few tips for building the best team uniforms that will stand the test of time. **1. Keep it simple** Although there are a couple of exceptions to this rule on the list—the Houston Astros’ “Rainbow” jerseys come to mind—the majority of Esquire’s 17 choices sport clean, classic designs. This doesn’t mean they’re boring necessarily, just that their designers have successfully avoided cluttering the jersey and obscuring the team’s name or logo (case and point: the San Antonio Spurs’ [camo catastrophe](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs-unveil-camo-uniforms-photo/)). The U.S. National Soccer Team’s [uniforms in 2010](https://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-sport-uniforms-2013#slide-4) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s [football jerseys](https://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-sport-uniforms-2013#slide-16) are excellent examples of the saying, “less is more.” **2. Stick to one or two colors** This is straightforward, but many teams fail to follow this rule. The [University of Oregon Ducks](https://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-sport-uniforms-2013#slide-9) are a great example. The Ducks are a sort of [testing ground for their sponsor Nike](https://www.squadlocker.com/blog/bid/332506/The-Oregon-Effect-Does-Team-Apparel-Impact-Recruiting), which was co-founded by Oregon alum Phil Knight. As a result, Oregon’s football team is famous for sporting a new combination of uniform colors for every game, with some mixture of green, yellow, grey, white, and black typically finding its way onto their jersey tops and pants. Yet, despite all of the crazy uniform combinations that the Ducks have worn over the years, esquire.com chose their all-white uniforms as the best. The list also highlights the University of Michigan Wolverines’ [maize-and-blue uniforms](https://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-sport-uniforms-2013#slide-2) as an example of a program that uses multiple colors successfully. **3. Have a defining feature** This is perhaps the most difficult aspect of building a team uniform. Without upsetting its simplicity, the designer must achieve some sort of originality when building a jersey. The New York Yankees’ [pinstripe uniforms](https://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-sport-uniforms-2013#slide-1) are mentioned on this list because of this element. The aforementioned Astros jerseys also exemplify this. **4. Too much change is a bad thing** Much of the Esquire list focuses on a “classic” feel to uniforms that wins over fans for decades. Well, the only way to accomplish this is by sticking to your uniforms for a long period of time. Even if they initially receive criticism, they will eventually make these type of lists because they’re “classic.” If you’re looking to design a new team uniform, your team dealer should share your vision.  Whether you have a full-fledge mockup and are ready to order, or want to talk with their graphics team to help generate some ideas, they are there to help.  For advice on how to choose a team dealer, check out our free whitepaper below:     Share this Story [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) --- ## Subscribe to the Squad Blog Join our squad in getting weekly updates on the most helpful content for your youth teams, sports clubs, students, and more. ![SquadLocker](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/Squids%202020/2020-01-30-Squid_Blog.png) ![SquadLocker](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/Squids%202020/2020-01-30-Squid_Blog_mobile.png) --- ## More from the Squad Blog [![The Circuit's Official Team Store Provider of Grassroots Basketball](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/circuit_press_social4%20(1).jpg) ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/the-circuit-partnership) ## [ The Circuit's Official Team Store Provider of... ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/the-circuit-partnership) [Read More](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/the-circuit-partnership) [![SquadLocker Supports Breast Cancer Awareness](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/breast_cancer_awareness_blog_thumbnail.jpg) ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/squadlocker-supports-breast-cancer-awareness) ## [ SquadLocker Supports Breast Cancer Awareness ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/squadlocker-supports-breast-cancer-awareness) [Read More](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/squadlocker-supports-breast-cancer-awareness) [![Pro Basketball News: The American Basketball Association (ABA) Partners with SquadLocker on Custom Apparel](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/aba_blog_thumbnail.jpg) ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/aba-partnership) ## [ Pro Basketball News: The American Basketball... ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/aba-partnership) [Read More](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/aba-partnership) [![Get Uniforms Done](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/gud_thumbnail.jpg) ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/get-uniforms-done) ## [ Get Uniforms Done ](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/get-uniforms-done) [Read More](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/get-uniforms-done) [See More Posts ❯](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog/) --- About [About Us](https://www.squadlocker.com/about-squadlocker) [Why Choose Us?](https://www.squadlocker.com/why-choose-squadlocker) [Founder's Story](https://www.squadlocker.com/founders-story) [Meet the Squad](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad/experts) [News & Press](https://www.squadlocker.com/news-press) [Case Studies](https://www.squadlocker.com/herostory) [Squid Blog](https://www.squadlocker.com/squid-blog) [Legacy Blog](https://www.squadlocker.com/squad-blog) Partnerships [Company Partners](https://www.squadlocker.com/partners) [Collectives](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/Collectives/02-08-23%20SquadLocker%20x%20Collectives%20Linked%20-%20Contact%20Us.pdf) Sales & Decoration [Promotions & Clearance](https://www.squadlocker.com/promotions) [Fundraising](https://www.squadlocker.com/fundraising) [Artwork & Decorations](https://www.squadlocker.com/artwork-decoration) [Uniforms](https://www.squadlocker.com/uniforms/squadgear) [Learning Center](https://www.squadlocker.com/learning-center) [Services](https://www.squadlocker.com/services) [Gift Cards](https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/gift-card) For the Customer [Customer Bill of Rights](https://www.squadlocker.com/bill-of-rights) [Payment Options](https://www.squadlocker.com/payment-options) Get In Touch [Contact Us](https://www.squadlocker.com/contact) [FAQs](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/Partner%20Media%20Center%20v2/Value%20Props%20-%20FAQ%20%20-%20New%20Store%20-%20Uniforms/Copy%20of%20FAQs.pdf) [Careers](https://www.squadlocker.com/squadlocker-careers) [![](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/ASA/fb@3x.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SquadLocker-185431758225553/) [![](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/ASA/insta@3x.png)](https://www.instagram.com/squadlocker/) [![](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/ASA/twitter@3x.png)](https://twitter.com/squadlocker) [![](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/ASA/in@3x.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/squadlocker) Policies [Return Policy](https://www.squadlocker.com/return-policy) [Privacy Policy](https://www.squadlocker.com/privacy-policy) [SquadGear Policy](https://www.squadlocker.com/hubfs/SquadGear/SquadGear%20PDFs/SquadGear%20Just%20Disclaimer.pdf) [Terms of Service](https://www.squadlocker.com/terms-of-service) [Accessibility](https://www.squadlocker.com/accessibility) [Fair Labor Practices](https://www.squadlocker.com/fair-labor) [Do Not Sell My Information](https://www.squadlocker.com/donotsellmyinfo) [![SquadLocker, Inc. 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