Like many other football fans around the world, I can spend hours upon hours browsing aimlessly through Classic Football Shirt websites. There’s something about looking at an old kit from the early 2000’s that can just take me back to a specific match, goal or moment in life which may have been long forgotten. Meanwhile, I enjoy looking through the wild designs that have somehow made it to production, the bold colours and pieces from around the globe. Although admittedly my personal collection of kits from the past doesn’t extend past my own club and holiday souvenirs, I am fully in support of the trend towards using “retro” shirts as a fashionable item, and for allowing me to spend far too much time in my own little world reminiscing on historic football games, long may the businesses continue.

So to celebrate some of my favourite football shirts that I have come across over the years, I’ve decided to put together my top 5 from around the leagues, this time, looking into France’s top-flight, Ligue 1. Admittedly, this is personal opinions and not all tastes are the same, however I believe these are widely recognised as some of the greatest shirts from the French league. Additionally, as will become clear looking through these, I have a personal fondness towards a collared shirt, fairly simple designs and more ‘traditional’ colours to the individual club.

Enjoy.

*We have decided not to feature any images with these kit choices due to image rights issues and wanting to produce our own imagery in the future. Apologies if this makes the reading more challenging or difficult. And sorry for all the PSG choices.*

Paris Saint-Germain 2021-2022 (H)

Kicking us off, is the shirt that has sold millions and millions thanks to a little Argentinian coming to town. It’s a bloody beauty as well, giving off traditional vibes in the colour scheme and fairly simplistic design, however the modern inclusion of the Jordan logo instead of the traditional Nike swoosh highlights how the designers have produced this piece with the fashion conscious and trend of sportswear in mind. With even the shorts being sold at a jacked up price due to sheer demand, this kit is one to go down in history for it’s sales along with design and possibly by the end of the season, potential success for what could be the first ever Champions League coming to Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain 2021-2022 (A)

Well, if we’ve mentioned the home kit, why not the away too. Another huge seller thanks to Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and many more, it’s a beautiful design and Nike are seriously stepping up their designs for PSG this season. With a white shirt decorated with a pink and blue stripe down the centre, it’s just a design delight and with this becoming one of, if not the biggest selling shirt period in French football, what better set of shirts to be selling. Well done Nike, well done PSG, I must give credit where it’s due despite the obvious issues we could be discussing.

Paris Saint-Germain 1997-1998 (H)

I promise this is not just a list of PSG kits, and this will be the last one. This one from the late 90s is a sheer beauty, and reminder of times before the ridiculous level of money being pumped in, and where PSG and Ligue 1 in general was competitive and a balanced league. It’s a reminder of ‘simpler times’ if you wish, with the Opel sponsorship, and in a period of success with their trophy cabinet beginning to flesh out in this period. Although only finishing 8th in this season, it’s still a very memorable shirt and one that brings instant flashbacks of Marco Simone leading the line for the French side. It’s a shirt available from several outlets at a fairly inflated price, but worth very penny in my mind.

Olympique Marseille 1997-1998 (H)

The 97-98 season is a season which Marseille fans will look back fondly on, not due to their 4th placed league finish, but with the talent within their squad in this year. With Blanc, Gallas, Makélélé and Ravanelli on their books to name but a few, it’s a side that is packed with skill and talent, who looked pretty sharp in their home kit while doing the business. With a simple design, it’s a traditional Adidas look, with the 3 stripes cutting across the white shirt, it’s a shirt that would be just as in-fashion today as it was over 20 years ago. A great shirt, worn by some fantastic talented footballers. What more could you want.

AS Monaco 1991-1992 (H)

Our final selection comes from 30 years ago to the year, as Monaco, managed by Arsène Wenger and with a squad featuring Balon d’Or winning George Weah, alongside Petit, Thuram and Djorkaeff finished in a respective 2nd place behind Marseille. While doing so, they were looking pretty good in their home kit, with another fantastic Adidas design, they had the diagonal split of red and white and a collared design which again appears quite simple and understated, yet classy and has a design that again would be adored by the modern day shirt obsessed hipster styled youth.