Chelsea FC Kit History — Every Shirt Since 1905

Light Eton-blue shirts and white shorts. Chelsea pensioner (Chelsea Pensioner mascot) used in crest until 1950s.

Chelsea's founding colours came from Earl Cadogan's racing silks. The original light blue was called 'Eton blue' and was noticeably paler than today's royal. The switch to darker royal blue came in the 1950s.

Royal blue adopted. Lion crest replaces pensioner. V-neck collar, white shorts, white socks.

Chelsea became one of the style icons of Swinging London in the 1960s. Tommy Docherty's young team was famously photographed in smart tailoring off the pitch. The 1970 FA Cup-winning replay kit against Leeds is a cult classic.

Umbro diamond era. Kit stays conservative but collars and cuffs get more elaborate.

Chelsea spent most of the decade outside the top flight. The 1977-78 away kit (yellow with blue stripes) is fondly remembered.

Gulf Air sponsorship (1983-1986) and then Commodore (1986-1994). Le Coq Sportif produced some experimental designs.

Chelsea bounced between divisions in a turbulent decade. The Commodore computer logo on Chelsea's chest for most of the late 1980s is a retro-tech design icon in itself.

Commodore then Coors (1994) then Autoglass (1994-97). 1997 FA Cup-winning kit with Autoglass sponsor is a fan favourite.

Umbro's run through the 1990s captured Chelsea's mid-decade resurgence — Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, and the 1997 FA Cup win remain defining moments. The 1995-96 tangerine-and-grey away is a cult pick.

Fly Emirates (1997-2001), Samsung Mobile (2005-2020). Adidas took over in 2006. 2011-12 Champions League-winning home is modern icon.

Roman Abramovich's 2003 takeover kicked off a trophy-stuffed era. The Mourinho-era 2004-05 and 2005-06 title-winning Umbro kits are modern classics. Adidas's 2011-12 Champions League-winning kit in Munich is perhaps the most valuable in Chelsea kit-collector terms.

Nike era opens with 2017-18 FA Cup-winning home. Yokohama Tyres and Three (sponsors). 2024-25 home a stripped-back return to heritage royal.

Nike's 2017 takeover at £60m per year signalled Chelsea's ambition to match the biggest brands. Kit design has swung between clean traditional (2019-20) and experimental (the 2021-22 white camo third). Current Cole-Palmer-era kits are clean and cleanly popular.