Between the Threads and Weaves of the Brazilian National Team's Jersey

The history of these uniforms goes beyond what happens during games. Each uniform tells us about a specific era: the threads used, the sewing techniques, the finishes, the embroidery and printing methods, the machinery employed, as well as the place of production—all of which reflect technical, economic, and cultural conditions.

The Brazilian national team's jersey was designed in 1953 by Aldyr Schlee, who won the contest organized by newspaper Correio da Manhã in partnership with the Brazilian Sports Confederation (CBD). To learn more about this story, click here!

Preserved, collected, and even displayed in museums, these uniforms take on the status of historical documents, providing insights into technical, economic, technological, and cultural changes.

Cotton thread, a natural material, was the predominant fabric used in shirts until the late 1970s. This type of material absorbs sweat and rainwater, which made the shirt heavier during the game.

Until the 1980s, emblems and numbers were embroidered and sewn onto the uniform.

In 1970, for example, the Brazilian national team once again had two uniform manufacturers. The team alternated between the two sets of uniforms, generally wearing the Athleta uniforms in the first half and the Umbro uniforms in the second. The exception was the final, when the team wore only the Umbro uniforms.

In 1980, the fabric composition go through a period of transformation, combining natural fibers (cotton) and synthetic fibers (polyester, acrylic, and polyamide). This is the case with the 1982 shirt, which is made of 53% cotton and 47% polyamide.

Starting in the 1970s and 1980s, multinational brands entered the scene (in the case of the Brazilian national team, Umbro, Adidas, Topper, and Nike), and production expanded globally. The sale of jerseys to fans also began, with Topper being the first brand to sell the Brazilian national team jersey in stores.

New elements have been added to the jerseys, such as commemorative patches, competition patches, game patches, and campaign patches, among others.

The cut, which was essentially straight until the 1990s, has become more form-fitting, as seen in the 2022 shirt. Its slim fit gives the impression of a tailor-made shirt, reducing friction and allowing for greater freedom of movement.

From the colors to the fabric of the uniform, from the design to the built-in technologies, the Brazilian national team’s uniforms reflect decades of change. In a high-performance sport, where every detail can influence the outcome of a game, the athletes’ uniforms are more than just a minor detail, they play a fundamental role.