The Ultimate Rugby Uniform
The rugby shirt is the ultimate sportsman’s uniform. It dates back to the 1800s and is a close relative of the polo shirt. They’re both knit cotton shirts with a contrasting collar.
As hip-hop appropriated traditional American prep style, the rugby shirt became a staple for emcees. But it’s also a great piece for casual wear.
The History of the Rugby Uniform
When rugby first began in 1823, participants were not wearing a uniform but rather a series of long flannels, shirts and caps. This changed in the 19th century, when William Webb Ellis of Rugby School ran with a ball at school, and a team was created to play the game – and as they needed to distinguish themselves from other teams, they wore distinctive uniforms.
These jerseys were made of baggy cotton and had a wide variety of colors to help teams identify themselves on the field. In addition, they incorporated stiff collars of rugged cotton twill and rubber safety buttons to hold up to rough play. This look remained unchanged for more than a century, until it was finally changed with the advent of professionalism in rugby and the need to sell replica jerseys to fans.
The modern rugby shirt is a tight-fitting athletic jersey that is most often made from either polyester or a combination of cotton and polyester. Some are intended for use by supporters only and have a looser athletic fit, while others are designed specifically for playing rugby and have a more snug fit. Rugby shirts also feature a unique grip strip pattern on the shoulders, which helps players hold on to the ball during scrummaging and mauling.
In addition to a specialized rugby shirt, a player will wear matching pants and boots. The boots, known as ‘rugbies’, have small studs that are placed in the sole of the shoe to allow a player to grip the ground as they run around the field. The stud pattern is usually an 8 stud pattern for forwards, and a 6 stud pattern for backs.
In recent years, the rugby shirt has become popular in casual fashion, with many clothing brands producing their own version of the long, button-up cotton jersey. It has even been adopted by rock climbers who appreciate the garment’s durability and a style that reflects the rugged, masculine nature of the sport. The rugby shirt is now a staple in men’s wardrobes, with everyone from punk rockers to preppy Ivy Leaguers sporting their own take on the classic sportswear icon.
The Shirt
Traditionally, rugby shirts are long-sleeved and collared and feature a stiffer, sportier feel than the softer, more casual polo shirt. They’re also typically made in a tightly woven cotton with thick stripes, a style that’s been adopted by streetwear labels as of late and has helped the shirt’s popularity to skyrocket.
The fabric is a key component of the rugby shirt because it needs to provide the specific functionality required by the sport, which involves heavy-duty physical exertion for Rugby Uniform prolonged periods of time. It must be breathable, quick-drying, and able to wick away sweat. It must also allow players to move with ease and be able to withstand repeated collisions with other players. For this reason, most actual rugby shirts are now designed and made with synthetic blends that sit closer to the body, offer a more flexible fit, and deliver performance-enhancing capabilities such as moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and tear resistance.
As the popularity of rugby shirts exploded, some brands even began to reimagine the traditional uniform, designing versions that were more fashion-forward than sporty. The most obvious example is Supreme’s co-opting of the design for its Playboy x Rugby shirt, which featured the magazine’s famous logo on a chest patch and, in a nod to the sport’s past, embroidered a player’s name on the right side of the jersey.
Aside from the homage to the sport’s history, these new designs are also notable for showcasing the shirt’s distinctive style. The contrasting shades, bold stripes, and bright colors all draw the eye—and nod to its athletic heritage.
The shirt’s versatility makes it a great piece to stock up on this fall, especially if you’re in the market for a statement-making top that can be worn in a variety of ways. “Think of it as an alternative to a striped polo shirt,” says wardrobe stylist Samantha Brown. “If you go with a muted color palette, it’ll lean more vintage, while a more vibrant stripe will have a fresh and contemporary vibe.”
And although it’s traditionally worn untucked (the tighter fit was specifically designed so that defenders have less material to grab onto), a well-made rugby shirt can be tucked in as well. “You can wear it under a blazer for a more preppy or polished look,” suggests Singla, who also points out that the shirt looks good when left tucked in loosely.
The Shorts
Rugby shorts are a crucial component of a rugby outfit and must be made from tough materials that are both tear-resistant and breathable. At Lovell-Rugby, the UK’s leading online rugby store, we stock an extensive range of rugby shorts for both men and women from top brands including Canterbury, Nike, adidas, and Under Armour.
Traditionally, rugby shorts have been quite short with an inseam between 2″ and 4″ to allow for maximum freedom of movement. This is due to the fact that many of the early games were played in muddy or mucky conditions and players had to be able to move freely to avoid getting caught up in tackles.
While modern rugby shorts are still made from a tough material like polyester (which is both softer and lighter than cotton), they will often have special stretch zones or gussets that feature a flexible fabric such as spandex to help increase the range of motion. This flexibility helps reduce the chance of injuries when tackling. Many shorts also have an angled leg opening to further improve the range of motion.
Many teams will also have their own specific branded rugby shorts which can be worn when not playing or training. These can be a great way to help promote a team, and they tend to have a more relaxed fit than a match pair of shorts.
Rugby hats are typically only worn by non-playing members of the team, and they can be either beanie or flat peaks. They are typically embellished with the team logo and can be a good way to help keep warm in winter or cool in summer.
When it comes to choosing the best rugby clothing, it is important to consider budget and performance. While cheaper options may be adequate for most casual players, more expensive choices will usually be better crafted and have more bells and whistles to make them more effective for on-field use. Lastly, be sure to wash and dry your rugby gear regularly to maintain its durability and avoid damaging or overheating it. This will not only improve its performance but will extend the lifetime of your rugby clothing as well.
The Boots
The rugby shirt and shorts may differ in design, color, and material, but the one thing they all have in common is a performance fit. This is a super tight and body forming fit that allows for the ultimate match performance for both practice and play. It makes it difficult for opponents to grab players by the jersey and also helps with movement on the field. It is the same fit that professionals wear so it is important to be aware of this if you are shopping for a new rugby jersey.
Rugby boots are typically wider than traditional football or basketball shoes to provide extra power when kicking and running. They are usually made from a combination of materials such as leather, synthetic and metal. It is recommended that studs or blades be replaced on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the player and that the studs are up to standards set by World Rugby (Regulation 12).
Traditionally, calfskin has been the preferred material for rugby boots. Rugby Uniform The reason for this is that natural leather is breathable, flexible and molds to the foot over time. It is also lightweight and not as bulky as some of the other synthetic materials used in rugby boot uppers. However, the down side of natural leather is that it takes a long time to break in and can be quite heavy, especially when wet.
In the modern era, synthetic materials are becoming more and more popular for rugby shoes. They are lighter, more flexible and don’t stretch out of shape nearly as much as leather does when wet. They also offer protection from the elements and do a good job of wicking moisture away from the feet.
Mizuno is an excellent brand of rugby boots that can be seen on the feet of many professional players around the globe. The Mizuno Morelia Neo II rugby boots have a secure and comfortable fit that is great when charging down the pitch into a ruck. They have a mid ankle cut that provides additional support and are very light in weight.
