It's extremely common to identify a team based on the jerseys that they wear. Every year, consumers from all corners of the world spend billions of dollars on sports jerseys for competitive purposes or simply just for fashion. Discover the history of team jerseys, why athletes wear them, and how it has impacted sports culture around the world.

Anyone who watches sports will know that team jerseys are extremely important and these garments represent more than just the players themselves. Sports teams and jerseys go together hand-in-hand…period. It’s undeniable that it gives them a certain cool factor and enhances the overall look and feel of the team.

Technically, jerseys are widely used in sporting events to clearly separate each competitor from the other, whether it is a team or individual event. In professional sports, the colours or numbers on the uniforms allow spectators and referees to identify the players on the field, track or court. Plus, it also helps players recognise their own teammates. For example, a basketball player can easily perform a “no-look pass” to another teammate by simply catching a glimpse of the jersey’s colour from the corner of the eye.

However, the coordinated outfits serve more than these purposes and its importance stretches way beyond technicality and functionality. It’s the intangibles of Team Jerseys that truly make a difference in the performance of a sports group.

Uniforms unify and bring players together, and when a player puts on a jersey, they become more than just a single entity…they immediately become a part of a powerful force that is highly geared towards success. More importantly, when everyone is in the same jersey, it creates equality and breaks the confinements of race, culture, language and social status. It fosters sportsmanship and a sense of camaraderie which enhances team spirit and the desire to achieve their best.

These garments also represent the culture and history of a group’s city, town, state or country, which is truly important in defining the team’s identity and what they stand for. Of course, not all team jerseys look good and there are quite a number of them, past and present, that have been ridiculously designed. But this won’t deter fans from throwing on their team’s colours as it represents where they come from and what they are about.

More importantly, custom designed sports uniforms enable a team to send out a message to the world and help create awareness on global-issues such as breast cancer and AIDS.

Besides that, jerseys are a highly lucrative source of income for major sports leagues and clubs around the world. Let’s take the American National Football League as an example, on average, international jersey sales alone rakes in USD$3.2 billion per annum. It’s no wonder owners are paying millions of dollars for upscale designers to create fashionable team jerseys with flashy logos and alluring colours.

Today, team jerseys aren’t just for serious athletes and die-hard fans; it has evolved into a fashion trend that has been widely adopted by people from all walks of life. ‘Throwback jerseys’ are extremely popular amongst the younger generation and this in turn, can be attributed to the influence of hip-hop culture and rap superstars like Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne.

Even amateur sports teams need jerseys because it can help a team establish a strong identity within the sporting community, and it leaves a lasting impression on the crowd. When the team is easily recognisable and has established a solid fan following, it will open up more opportunities for sponsorship and much more.

Kevin Trump is now looking into further opportunities within the sports industry. She is currently in the works to setup her own Team Jersey business which will specialise in team and custom cycling clothing and Netball Uniforms.