To better understand the concept of modern jerseys, it is essential to consider the broader image and delve into the genesis of sports uniforms in general. Primarily jerseys’ existence was dictated by the need for specialized clothes to enhance athletes’ performance (no offense to Ancient Greeks who used to contend nude, but let’s exclude them from the discussion). Thinking from this perspective, we can say that jerseys’ pre-image existed almost as long as competitive sports.
As for the actual jerseys, their story started way later — in the 19th century — and had nothing to do with the disciplines we normally associate them with today but with cycling and gymnastics.
Back then, gymnasts, for example, wore linen clothes that were breathable but non-stretchy, which limited their movement. Fortunately, technical progress led to the development of knitting manufacturing and the prominence of elastic jersey fabric made from wool or cotton. As you can see, the material’s name got stuck and went far beyond the textile industry, starting to live on its own.
So, the revolution started and was soon enhanced by the advent of team sports.
To differentiate competing parties as well as individual sportsmen, players’ shirts were dyed in certain colours and had numbers sewn on them. Since then, the development of the uniform has been boosted steadily. For instance, in 1908, wearing it became obligatory for participants of the Olympic Games, and afterwards, when the sports began being broadcasted on TV, teams got very creative with crazy patterns and colour combinations for better visibility on black-and-white screens.
The Industrial Revolution in the first part of the 20th century opened a new chapter for jerseys, bringing in synthetic materials that were soft, stretchy, strong, easy, and cheap to produce. At this point, the visual aspect started rapidly evolving as well as the production methods, opening the doors for perfected fabric compositions, complex designs, and, soon, sponsors’ logos, of course.