When is one too old for replica kits?

padzilla

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Oct 31, 2005
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I often wonder this as several mates say they are in their 40s and feel a bit silly wearing replica kits.

Is there an age when one should put that behind them?

What about getting a name and number on the back? Is that for kids? Especially your own name...
 
I don't begrudge anyone supporting their team. If you love wearing a shirt with your favourite player on the back, then you do you!

My personal feelings: I haven't bought/wore a united shirt since I was around 18 - I just feel a little awkward wearing one and I wasn't a fan of giving any money to United under the Glazers. Another reason: a few months ago I walked past Garnacho in the Trafford Centre, and initially I was a bit star struck, but then I was asking myself why I'm so happy to see a kid who's 12 years younger than me. Not sure if this makes sense.
 
The Glazers coming in was my watershed moment. Thankfully for me they came in just as I was starting to get a bit more rotund and certainly starting to look ridiculous in a football top.
 
I haven’t had a Utd kit or even shirt since I was a kid. I used to go regular up until 04/05 season, but always thought old men with beer guts wearing tops too small for them look ridiculous, and I have family who do this. For me kits are for the players and kids
 
I think they look ridiculous on fat middle-aged blokes. Wearing the outfit of an elite athlete looks comical when you'd get out of breath attemptng to view your toes. Newcastle fans are the ultimate example of this.

Younger me loved them but I lost all interest at a certain age.

Wearing them to a game is weird to me too, it's like going to see a band and wearing their t-shirt. But that's a matter of taste, some people enjoy that.
 
Whenever the person wants until they die if its the shirt

Wearing a full kit however should be illegal after 16
 
Personal choice.

I've not got any since I was 21, over 20 years now.

Bought a training top on sale at the end of a season 2 or 3 years back, and I've had one or two other items over that time but not replica kits.

Price is perhaps a thing too. If they were a lot cheaper I might consider it but if I'm spending £80 on a top I'd rather get a polo or something, I value them much more than a football shirt.
 
Where i am from i see people of all ages including myself wear replica shirts. They have gotten quiet expensive so i havent been buying. The last one i got was from a clearance sale 2 years ago. Football jerseys are also a great summer top, do you.
 
Outside of the UK people wear football shirts all the time without any issue. I don't understand how it's become a sign of immaturity.
 
When that individual decides/feels they are.
 
Not sure but I've brought the 3rd top and I think it's one of the nicest football shirts I've ever owned.
 
JJ12 said:
Up to one's self
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First of all, this!


If you want to wear one, why not? For my personal I don't wear them anymore. I'm 43 now and the only time I wore a kit was when playing a game of "futsal" with friends. I have the 95/96 "Sharp" shirt, still in excellent condition!

Nowadays my football playing son is totally into football kits so I bought him some. For myself I ordered the Stone Roses shirt and maybe I'll take the white shirt in a while, too.

But I won't wear it often I guess, only when training my son's team.
 
Full kit or just the tops? If just the top then there is no limit on that. Full kit should be ages 6 and below.
 
Shirts are fine at any age. Full kit? Maybe 10.

Full kit is a bit like cosplaying as a footballer, lovely for the kids but a bit weird as an adult.

Bloke I work with is in his 30’s and went full kit wanker in an England kit this summer for the games, including cutting holes in the back of his socks. The lad has chicken legs ffs.
 
Yeah full kit is probably primary school age. Just the footy top, I'd say any age really.
 
padzilla said:
I often wonder this as several mates say they are in their 40s and feel a bit silly wearing replica kits.

Is there an age when one should put that behind them?

What about getting a name and number on the back? Is that for kids? Especially your own name...
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Why would anyone need to seek permission to wear a certain thing?
 
Perfect attire for a bit of shopping
manunitedwanker.jpg
 
Surely it's up to the individual to decide if they want to wear a replica shirt. Me, personally, at 70 years of age still parades around in "vintage" 1957 and 1958 shirts, plus polo's. Que Sera Sera.
 
If you're going to the match, you can probably get away with wearing a player kit if you're younger than the player in question; once you're older than most of the players it becomes a bit weird. Wearing a blank kit to the match is probably okay at any age.

Wearing a kit around town just as a part of your everyday outfit surely starts to look weird at around age 30.

I'm 42, and I haven't worn a kit for any reason since I was around 30. If I ever make it to Old Trafford I will probably buy a blank kit to wear for the match, though.
 
I don't mind anyone wearing a replica, but I wouldn't wear one publicly myself. Maybe at the gym at a push.
 
I have jerseys that must be 20 years old, that I'll only wear to football. Recently found a Valencia one from around 2002, amazingly still fits. Probably haven't bought a jersey for myself in that time.

I do wear the Utd training tops without all the sponsors and logos, will wear one of those about for walks and stuff.
 
miked99 said:
I think they look ridiculous on fat middle-aged blokes. Wearing the outfit of an elite athlete looks comical when you'd get out of breath attemptng to view your toes. Newcastle fans are the ultimate example of this.

Younger me loved them but I lost all interest at a certain age.

Wearing them to a game is weird to me too, it's like going to see a band and wearing their t-shirt. But that's a matter of taste, some people enjoy that.
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Some people accrue excess body fat on entering middle-age because they don't have time to exercise on a regular basis due to work or family commitments, because their joints are already fecked by that stage, or for a whole host of other reasons preventing them from doing gym sessions, taking part in a sports team, or doing some other leisure activity.

Obviously, football shirts will look better on people who lead an active lifestyle, as opposed to truckers, office workers, and receptionists who have mostly sedentary jobs. Why would you expect them to be as slim as someone who runs around for a living?

It's about accepting that it's not some crime to be slightly different the perceived ideal body type, because it's something a lot of people don't have much choice in, at all.

Let people wear what they want, be understanding, and maybe just reserve judgements.
 
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I use my shirts to cycle to and from work. Cycle gear is expensive. I’m well into my 50s. Also winds up the Scouser at work. Bonus.
 
LDUred said:
Some people get fat on entering middle-age because they don't have time to exercise on a regular basis due to work or family commitments, because their joints are already fecked by that stage, or for a whole host of other reasons.

It's not a crime getting old or being slightly out of shape, either for 'fat middle-aged blokes' or anyone else carrying extra weight. A lot of people who go for sizes beyond L do so for reasons that are hardly their fault.
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Where did I say anything about it being right or wrong to be fat? I agree that for the average person it's hard not to gain weight when you're older to some degree.

My point was if you are that way, wearing the kit of an elite athlete just looks a bit daft. To me, anyway.

Ultimately though it's just an opinion. if you're happy wearing it then it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks.
 
I'm closing in on 40, I buy 1 or 2 every year from dhgate as I still try and play 5a side weekly so I wear mine then,
 
It's quite a harmless thing to do so it would be harsh to begrudge anyone for it but I'd prefer wearing a simple red shirt,scarf etc.

Looks classier in my opinion.
 
United shirt at the gym >>>

It helps that I’m built like a Demi-God
 
i wear the full kit on every matchday, paired with whatever the lads are wearing for the game. i like to think they know this and it spurs them on to try harder.

i make the wife and kids clap me into the living room and hour before kick-off and watch as i do a couple of shuttle runs between the sofas to warm up. the wife and kids are allowed on their phones during this bit, and they’re able to go to the concourse (kitchen) and get something to eat or drink. 5 minutes before kick off they’re expected back in the living room to clap me into my chair.

once the match starts, they have to watch me and cheer every time i drink my beer or eat a scratching. they’re only allowed to go to the toilet at half time, or the concourse for food, but not both.

towards the 70th minute, one of them will put on a hi-vis jacket and throw out one of the other ones. i leave it up to them to decide which.

at full time they clap me off to the shitter, to allow me to painfully deposit the 500g worth of scratchings i ate during the last 2 hours. i make them stay in the living room for a further 20 minutes afterwards, just in case i want to do a warm down or a lap of honour. after that, the day is their own.
 
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