Jersey Core

A sacred symbol turned style statement, the jersey threads together street heritage, football fantasy, and fashion’s obsession with redefined uniforms.

Riri never misses when it comes to serving blokecore. Animal print boots, jorts, feathers, and a jersey might sound like a chaotic mess, but somehow, she makes it work. Via Marie Claire. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

In Brasil, with an s, please, football jerseys have always been part of a man’s wardrobe. It’s the straight guy uniform: a team shirt, tactel bermuda shorts, and, of course, Havaianas. Come nighttime, you might catch some jeans and trainers in the mix, but one thing never changes: the jersey is non-negotiable. In the favela, owning an original jersey from your team has long been a status symbol.

I remember how routinely was getting all dressed up for dates with my ex, only to see him arrive in that combo no matter the destination. Mall, restaurant, park, café… didn’t matter. A tragicomedy well-known to many Brazilian women who date men.

But what used to feel lazy or even cringe-worthy has taken a sharp turn. For some time now, jerseys have crossed into the fashion world, especially in streetwear. What was once labeled “tacky” is now proudly worn by fashion influencers and trendsetters. Around the world, everyone seems to be jumping on the jersey train. Why?

The ‘gentrification’ of that aesthetic has a name: blokecore. Yes, like the British slang for ‘dude’. This trend is a mix and match of streetwear and sportswear, deeply inspired by football culture, with a heavy dose of 90s nostalgia; think jorts, baggy jeans, Nike Shox.

And it’s not stopping there. The not so recent Samba and Gazelle sneaker hype fits neatly into this aesthetic. Some influencers are even taking it further, slipping on actual football boots in their Get Ready With Me TikToks. I find the way these outfits are put together fascinating. They mix unexpected elements in a way that often feels vibrant, playful, and refreshingly creative.

Still, this “new” look isn’t new at all. As journalist Ashley Garcia Lezcano wrote for Refinery29, Black and Latina women have been styling jerseys with flair for decades. “Turning our 'hoods into fashion and identity statements,” as she puts it. Long before “core” culture took over social media, this was a lived reality.

Animal print + jersey + pearls? Dreamy combo. Via @iconikki. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

Now, the mainstream is catching up. Brands are launching their own takes on jerseys, and celebrities are leaning into the trend. From Sabrina Carpenter’s merch with a cheeky number 69 on the back, to Beyoncé’s cropped Cowboy Carter jersey.

The Brazilian brand .Pormenor and its collection recreating classic football jerseys from Rio. via @.pormenor. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

As a Brazilian, it’s particularly funny to see the rise and establishment of brazilcore, because it feels like game day everyday and suddenly the whole world is rooting for Brasil. You know what? Hell yeah. My new favorite game is spotting someone in green and yellow and guessing: gringo or compatriota?

At home, the jersey was always sacred. My dad has an entire drawer dedicated to his team’s shirts. Every time a new one dropped, he’d rush to buy it and get it personalized with his name and his lucky number: 3. His signature gift to me and my sister? Matching jerseys. I only wore mine to the stadium, but I’m sure he’d love to know he’s been years ahead of the trend.

As much as I enjoy seeing this cultural moment play out, I also think about where it came from and who wore it first. It’s always important to remember: when trends go mainstream, they often leave behind the communities that gave them meaning in the first place. Style gets spotlighted, but its origins get blurred or, even worse, erased.

I wonder if team jerseys will become our generation’s band tees. Will fashion turn into fandom? Will we start gatekeeping kits like we used to with indie bands? “Name three players,” “What league are they in?” “Do you even watch the matches?” Can someone be a poser… in sports?