Ok, so the 4th kit dropped and we thought we’d do a little review. Kinda like we’re going through an art museum and looking at the latest addition but also to see what has come before it. After all, context can be everything…
Although we’ve seen 3rd kits for awhile now, a 4th kit is something relatively new. It almost feels like the 3rd kit has been Mountain Dew’d and made Xtreme…yeah! *insert rocker devil-horns gesture*
This year’s 4th kit has like this matrix-hologram effect going on that gradually changes into the traditional red & black vertical stripes around the chest area. I’m guessing this design was in development right up until the very end because it looks like the stripes at bottom of the kit change into what look an awful lot like tire tracks. It seems to me the designers wanted to pay an homage to Milan’s January 2023 performances after being run over for the whole month…
I kid, I kid. But yeah, Milan was terrible last month.
Lisi was hoping the numbers and name would be in gold like all the sponsors and crest, but indications are that those will be white. They are however, outlined in gold and that actually looks pretty good. So I don’t hate that decision.
For the shorts they kept the same pattern and while that looks ok, I probably would’ve gone with just some black shorts and black socks (they did stick to the black socks).
For those of you into the goal keeper kits, this one is pretty solid as well. Of course, the fact that we might see Maignan make his return after being out 5 months means I would’ve been happy seeing him in a potato sack. Hey…wait a second. That’s kind of what this one looks like!
Overall, this is honestly pretty good. If the rule is the home kit needs to be as close to traditional as possible, the away mostly white, the 3rd kit – whatever, then a 4th kit really is the splatter-paint art version of it all. Well, except for last year’s 4th. Sheesh. What a way to start a 4th kit tradition. Looks like it was, as some adult industry folks might call it, bukake’d…yikes!
Finally, since there’s only been two 4th kits and we kind of just covered them, let’s look at and rank the 3rd kits just for fun and because they’re often very much in the same vein as the newly invented 4th kits. We’ll cover the time between Scudettos, which is, interestingly, also during the Emirates sponsorship era. This doesn’t really mean anything and is just, like I said, interesting.
I am also legally mandated to issue this trigger warning:
Many of these are from the banter era and will likely conjure up unpleasant feelings and memories of the addict-level bargaining we all did those years…trying to convince ourselves that Menez could carry Milan, Constant was a good LB, Suso was unbenchable, and Montolivo was captain-worthy…
Ok, now that my legal and ethical obligations have been satisfied, let’s go!
3rd Kit Ranking - Years Between Scudettos (and this year)
#1. 2020-21
Easily the best 3rd kit. Love the non-traditional blue (plus the blue itself is awesome) and the gradient pattern. Noticeable but subtle…is that a thing? Either way, love it. I have a Tonali and it’s one of the best looking kits in my closet
#2. 2021-22
Another recent one, I really liked how wearable this one is on the street. It’s different, still in the red and black (mostly black), and definitely stands out in a positive way. The lack of a traditional crest is a problem for some, and for others so is the black crest patterned throughout the kit, but I happen to own this one too and the all-over crest is very faint and nondistracting
#3. 2022-23
A recent one yet again, this one is definitely going for some street cred. It’s not really me so I won’t be getting one (not much of a camo-guy) but game has to recognize game, LOL. I can definitely see this one popping up in the hip hop scene
#4. 2011-12
The first Adidas one to make the list, I loved the Italian flag color-inspired band across the front. While I’m not big on the collar (I don’t really like any collar on my kits), this one bugs me the least. Maybe it’s the square opening in front. Another thing in it’s favor: this was the 3rd kit after the Scudetto-winning season back in 2010-11, hence the gold logo and crest
#5. 2010-11
The 3rd kit of the 2010-11 Scudetto winning season definitely bumps this one up the list. I also like how unassuming it is: simple, team colors. Solid effort
#6. 2015-16
Green is a pretty popular 3rd kit color for Milan and this one is kind of in that outdoorsy, camo family as well. I kinda like the bright yellow, almost neon that’s included and the lack of a pattern is a solid decision as well. Now, I know what you’re going to say…don’t say it…this is a ranking of jerseys, NOT shorts…god damn you. Yes, this would be near the bottom, maybe even second to last because of these monstrosities IF we included shorts as part of the criteria:
#7. 2012-13
Back to the all-black, this collared shirt is a decent addition to the 3rd kit offerings. I’m not thrilled with the big-ish collar or the pocket on the chest, but the Italian flag above the pocket is cool and bumps this one up the list
#8. 2017-18
We’re getting to the bottom of the list but we haven’t reached the terrible ones just yet. I don’t mind the horizontal stripes and the red one with that kind of reddish right shoulder isn’t bad at all
#9. 2019-20
Puma’s first year sponsoring the kits and this one has been their weakest by far. I don’t know, it feels more like a training top or gym shirt. Still, better than what’s to come below this
#10. 2016-17
Again with the green, I actually don’t mind this shade of camo. Even the white stripes (like the band?) don’t bother me. But the sleeves. WTF. Why?! It would’ve been pretty good if the green went all the way to the red cap. Missed opportunity
#11. 2014-15
Ok. I actually like a lot about this: the collar. The little horizontal red and back bar on the sleeve. I even don’t mind the dark green trim. But the jersey color itself? Who picks Boston Redsox Fenway Park Urinal-stained Yellow? Moreover, why would the even make that color?!
#12. 2013-14
Yes. Somehow this gold one was worse than the golden shower-yellow one above it. No wonder the banter era started right after this as Milan finished 8th this season and ended their run of CL appearances. Like, the design itself isn’t terrible. Nor is the shade of red and the Italian flag-inspired bar above that god-forsaken pocket is cool. Heck, even gold, which isn’t my favorite color in the world, can have nice shades to it. But not this one. This is tacky AF. The worst of the lot
Wrap Up
Alright, that about wraps up our random and maybe late (?) 3rd kit ranking. Let us know what you think of the new 4th kit as well as our 3rd kit ranking.
Lisi will be back tomorrow with his Serie A Whip-Around round preview. Until then, forza Milan per sempre.
gillis