PREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: The strips your team will be wearing in 2012-13

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 19:01 EDT, 11 April 2012 | Updated: 08:03 EDT, 26 July 2012

There was once a time when a club's strip would barely alter over a number of years, and even until recently you could rely on your side keeping a home shirt for at least two seasons.

But the ever changing face of the football fashion world means strips are no longer lasting more than a single campaign. Tottenham fans for instance are getting used to seeing their team produce four new kits a season.

To help keep you up-to-date with all the new technology laced kits that your team will release this summer, Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on the good, the bad and the ugly designs coming to a Premier League ground near you next season.

Arsenal

This new Arsenal strip is a Brit special! The Gunners have gone back in time to add blue to their famous red and white home colours in a kit that has a real British feel in this home Olympics year.

Without the addition of blue  on the sleeves it wouldn't look too far away from their 2011/12 season 125th anniversary celebration special.

But Arsenal ace Theo Walcott says: 'I think the blue in particular in the kit reflects a British feel for the Club in a massive year for the home nations with the Olympics this summer.  

'There’s a lot of historical features, with the hooped socks and blue that’s been in our kits for decades.

'Hopefully, this kit can be a part of the record books on the pitch next season and to become part of the club’s history in years to come.'

Gunners fans will be hoping they're not left feeling blue at the end of next season, however...

Home kit verdict: 7/10

After the 'Dennis the Menace' kit from 2007/08, hoops once again grace the away strip for just the second time in Arsenal's post war history.

But purple is a new colour that's been added to the Gunners' palette and, with black, forms the base of the shirt.

Red trim also features on the sleeves in a kit that is likely to divide fan opinion.

For us though, it's a good effort from Nike in trying to create something original, but will Jack Wilshere finally get to wear it on the pitch?

Away kit verdict: 8/10

Return of the hoops: Arsenal's new away kit is made of up to 13 recycled plastic water bottles

Aston Villa

Classic feel: Aston Villa's new home kit maintains the traditional claret and blue, while the away top presents a vibrant lime colour with navy blue details, giving it a playful yet stylish design signifying a bright new era

Green with envy: Villa will hope the new kits bring some better luck than last year's disappointment

Home kit verdict: 7/10, Away kit verdict: 8/10

Chelsea

Chelsea were the first Premier League side to release their new strip for next season and will line-up in perfect fashion as European champions..

Trim colours such as white and red have gone from previous years and been replaced with the golden touch that goes smartly with the round-neck blue strip.

With badges and sponsors to match in colour, it looks a very classy effort and a big improvement on this year's design. Whether it kicks off a new golden age for the Blues remains to be seen.

Home kit verdict: 9/10

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Golden wonders: Fernando Torres, Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge unveil the new Chelsea strip

Blue is the colour: The new Chelsea shirt carries a gold theme which is intended to be 'reflective of the year of sport and celebration in the capital in 2012'

The European champions have had some crazy away kits over the years but alongside a stunning home kit, the Blues finally have a very smart change strip to show off.

Fluorescent colours and horrendous patterns on the chest have ruined how the west London club have looked on the road in recent years, but the Blues finally have the balance right with a copycat design of Argentine side River Plate.

The iconic diagonal stripe also displays colours very similar to the blue of Marseille, with the strip also featuring a navy blue collar. A neat feature to link the two is the adidas stripes that fade into two colours on the sleeve. Very neat.

Away kit verdict 9/10

Set for action: Frank Lampard models the new Chelsea away strip

Third kit

Releasing three kits a season has become normal for many Premier League clubs and it's no different at Chelsea who have a history of pushing the envelope in design for their change strip.

And their third kit for the 2012/13 season is no different with the club revealing a striking yellow and black number.

In recent years we have seen the club run out in luminous green, luminous yellow and orange and black in strips that have garnered attention.

Standing out: Chelsea have unveiled their new third strip for next season

That will also be the case with their latest release which although features yellow, a longtime staple on Chelsea change strips, looks more like a goalkeeper's jersey with its flashy design on the front of the kit.

According to designers adidas, the striking sun graphic on the front of the black shirt creates a contrast in colours, giving the impression of power, while the fade in the graphic represents speed. The Chelsea badge is black and white and stands out against the sun graphic.

Third kit rating: 8/10

Everton

It’s all change at Everton this summer. Well, obviously except manager David Moyes who after 10 years is part of the furniture at Goodison Park.

But as they go into the new season as top dogs on Merseyside, it’s new strips, new manufactures and new colours on the blue side of Stanley Park.

New designers, Nike have stuck with simplicity for the home strip. There is no fancy patterns, different shades of blue or distinctive coloured trim.

But there is a very smart white v-neck and large white ends to the sleeves, keeping the strip interesting enough. Fans are sure to take to it.

Home kit verdict: 7/10

Back to basics: White trim returns to the Everton home shirt

The Toffees are back in black for the third time in their history (if you discount the horrendous pink and black effort from the 2009/10 season) but a colour disaster won’t be a problem this time around.

The black shirt is as plain as it gets, but there is plus points to the rather boring strip.

The yellow trim on the club badge and sponsors’ logos do look good and it’s a kit that does look smart with an advantage of being one that will not age over time.

It's one for the long term in the stands even if that will not be the case on the pitch.

Away kit verdict: 6/10

Dark horses: Everton will aim to secure a European spot ahead of the new season

Fulham

After punching above their weight to secure another top 10 finish in the Premier League, Fulham have begun to make progress under manager Martin Jol after a lukewarm first few months at the club.

But with former favourites Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Danny Murphy moving on this year, it's all change for Fulham and that includes the home kit.

Not since the 1980s have the Cottagers been seen in pin-stripes but the design is back and thankfully for fans looks very classy.

It's certainly a different look to the usual white shorts and black trim the club release each year, so top marks to Kappa for adding a twist that actually works.

Home kit verdict: 8/10

Home favourite: Brede Hangeland poses in the new Fulham home shirt

To show their appreciation to Jol, the club have released a new ‘oranje’ away strip to be worn next season which is set to split opinion among fans.

It’s new territory for the Cottagers and while the sight of orange gracing their kit is a shock to the system, this may become a favourite as next season goes on.

After all, fans of the West London side are getting used to crazy colours appearing on their change strip, having seen green, gold, red and grey on away strips in recent years.

Away kit verdict: 8/10

Back in...orange: Brede Hangeland poses alongside a slogan that says 'orange is the new black'

Liverpool

Liverpool may not have won the FA Cup final but they did win a £25million deal with Warrior, who have designed their new Premier League kits.

Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard can be seen in the home kit below, unveiled with a typically ebullient Anfield statement: 'It's inspired by greatness. It's modern tradition. It's unapologetically Liverpool FC. It will make you feel 7ft tall.'

To be fair to the Merseyside team, the kit does look nice. It's all red too, like Liverpool kits should be.

Pepe Reina models a green number for the goalkeeper's jersey, which is made a tad less classy by the white patches under the arms.

Home kit verdict: 8/10

Our year? Liverpool's stars will be hoping they can battle their way to the top

But while Warrior has a hit on their hands with the home kit, sadly the same cannot be said about the away strip.

Black has been a common change colour for Liverpool in the last few years but this may be the weakest effort yet, with the splash of grey around the neck and under the arms an eyesore.

However, the yellow badge and sponsor logos do look good on the strip, which looks very similar to the Merseyside club’s away kit worn between 1900 and 1906, which was white with red trim.

It was a design based on the sailors and docks that played a major role in the city at that time.

Like the home shirt, the justice flames for the 96 killed at Hillsborough have been removed from the club badge and placed on the back of the neck.

Away kit verdict: 6/10

Back in black...again: Liverpool have released a black change strip for the fourth year running

A lot of jaws were dropped when Liverpool released their third kit but it does actually look quite acceptable...if it was a goalkeeper's kit....and it was 20 years ago.

You can't fault Warrior's efforts at trying to break new ground but sadly it just looks like five-year-olds armed with crayons have been let loose at the American designer's HQ, judging by the shirt's bold colour choice and tacky sleeves.

The Reds have produced neat away strips in recent years but this will likely be filed alongside Chelsea's orange and grey kit from the mid-1990s in the ones to forget.

Third kit verdict: 2/10

Original: Liverpool's third kit will divide fan opinion

Manchester City

Manchester City's title win in the final minutes of last season officially brought back the glory days of the 1960s for the club, and to celebrate, Umbro have gone all retro with a new home strip.

It's a move that can sometimes backfire and there is a couple of blemishes on the home shirt. The bland coloring of the club badge and the dodgy collar that also features on the England away strip are downsides.

But they are very minor concerns. Some supporters may even take to the darker badge, the majority will appreciate the simplicity and class of the strip, but all will agree the golden Premier League badges on the sleeves will look fantastic.

Home kit verdict: 8/10

Keeping good Kompany: Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany (left) poses in the new Manchester City strips to be worn for the 2012/13 season alongside Noel Gallagher

The minor problems with the home kit are ironed out with the away strip though, as a v-neck collar and a badge in all its colour take place on a neatly designed maroon shirt.

Maroon may not be an in-vogue choice but it has rich history with the club who won the FA Cup in 1934 and 1956 wearing the colour. Either way it's sure to be a hit with fans through its simplicity.

Away kit verdict: 8/10

Manchester United

Well well well. Since it was unveiled, Manchester United's new kit has seen many decry it as little more than a tea-towel or dishcloth.

Some Red Devils fans have leapt to its defence, believing the 'Gingham' design to be an interesting and important aspect of the kit.

The chequered pattern on the shirt is supposed to be a tip of the hat to the city's cotton industry when the club was formed in 1878.

But this nod to history come at the cost of aesthetics? Many think so. Perhaps it's a grower?

Home kit verdict: 6/10

Hmmmmm: Rio Ferdinand models the latest Man United kit, which has split opinion

It’s standard practice at Manchester United to release a new away and third kit just about every season, but this season’s offering isn’t likely to inspire.

The colours seem to be on a rota and Nike have returned to plain and simple white, as previously seen in the Treble-winning campaign of 1998-1999 and the Premier League triumph of 2002-2003.

Maybe this is a good omen for United fans as they try to come to terms with the reality that Manchester City are Premier League champions and favourites.

Get it on: Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand pose in the new United strip

The lines are clean and simple on this kit – if a little dull – with a straightforward red trim and a couple of buttons at the neck that aren’t immediately visible.

As we saw with the home shirt, Gingham seems to be the style du jour at Nike HQ and this pattern has been incorporated into the blue shorts.

Overall, a no frills away kit but a colour and style that seems to have brought United good things in the past.

Away kit verdict: 6/10

Newcastle

Newcastle’s unexpected fifth-place finish was rewarded with a return to European football for the 2012/13 season, but it’s out with the old concerning the kits that got them there.

Alan Pardew’s men have already given a debut to their new away kit which for the third time in the club’s history has seen them wear the colours of claret and navy blue.

They last displayed the colours five years ago, but first featured them as hoops for the 1995/96 campaign where Newcastle narrowly missed out on the league title.

Toon fans will happily welcome a repeat of that season (minus them blowing away a 12-point lead at the top) to return to the Champions League with a new claret strip that looks much smarter than the previous two attempts.

Away kit verdict: 7/10

Four-midable: Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse, Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini stand proud in their new colours

Norwich

If it isn’t broke don’t fix it, and that’s just the attitude they have kept down at Norwich City for next season…sort of.

It’s still a brand new home kit for the Canaries, again made by Italian designers Errea, but apart from the switch to a green collar there isn’t too much difference from the 2011/12 strip.

The new kit also marks a new four-year-deal with main sponsor Aviva that will stretch the partnership to an eighth campaign into 2016.

The Canaries continue to deliver on the pitch and by sticking to the basics in tactics and kit design, will aim to avoid 'second season syndrome.'

Home kit verdict: 7/10

Six of the best: Norwich stars line up in the 2012/13 home kit alongside Delia Smith

QPR

With Premier League football successfully secured for another season, it’s a new set of kits for QPR with the home and away strips undergoing a few changes.

In truth there is only so much you can do with Hoops but Lotto have opted for an interesting design for the new home shirt.

It’s a big thumbs up for allowing the club badge to stand out and not get lost among the stripes across the shirt, but that collar is going to take some getting used to.

Home kit verdict: 7/10

Red and white is retained for the away strip but it doesn’t look as good as last season’s 'Wycombe style', with the new collar not helping matters.

The only other change from last season is ‘Air Asia’ will now sponsor all the club’s kits as opposed to the change versions from last term.

Away kit verdict: 5/10

Flying the red, white and blue: Anton Ferdinand (left) and Jamie Mackie reveal QPR's new strips

It's three new strips for QPR this season, with a sky blue third kit completing the line up for the Hoops - using the same colours as the home top from 1882-1892.

Sticking to the same template as the away kit, the big brains at Lotto tell us the strip's design helps keep fatigue at a minimum with a mesh insert placed on the chest for perfect perspiration.

Not too much use if you only plan to wear it as a fan at Loftus Road, but supporters should take to it nonetheless - despite the red sponsor logo slightly tarnishing the effort.

Third kit verdict: 7/10

Only way is up: Alejando Faurlin models QPR's third strip

Reading

Big and bold was how Reading ended the second half of last season and the Championship winners have replicated that in their new strips for their return to the Premier League.

Huge hoops now take place on the home shirt which contains a red stripe on the right shoulder. The badge has moved into the centre for the first time in 11 years but we feel the hoops are too big, with a giant sponsor logo also doing an ambitious design from Puma no favours.

Home kit verdict 6/10

Making a splash: Reading will hope their new strips will see them survive into a second season in the top flight

But the away kit has been tailored a lot better by the German designers. The inclusion of the blue streak on a yellow shirt is a welcome one and the smart blue v-neck (which also features on the home shirt) completes a tidy kit.

Our only concern is why the badge is so high up and if the kits are as waterproof as the pictures suggest.

Away kit verdict 7/10

Southampton

Sheryl Crow once said a change would do you good, and whether Southampton fans like it or not that is exactly what they have got.

On the identity change scale, it's not quite Cardiff City, but supporters are going to have to get used to not seeing bold stripes on their home kit next season for the first time since 1987 (excluding the 125 years kit from 2010/11.)

There are positives though. The club's primary colours have been kept (with white featuring as a pin-stripe) and it does actually look very neat and tidy.

Fans may take time to warm to Umbro's design, but they will look back with fondness on it if they manage to stay up at the end of the season.

Home kit verdict: 8/10

Red alert: Southampton have radically altered their home shirt

Stoke

The 2012/13 season will mark 150 years for Stoke City, who have celebrated by releasing a new away kit to mark the occasion.

Tony Pulis' side will play in the new navy and cardinal colours once worn by the Stoke Ramblers following the formation of the Club back in 1863 - with the club badge also slightly changing to reflect on 150 years of the club.

City's Head of Commercial Andrew Billingham said: ‘While our home kit will retain the traditional red and white stripes, the away kit is more of a throwback to those early days of blue and burgundy colours. The creation of the specific 150 years badge and the dateline give it more historical significance.

Away kit verdict: 7/10

The home kit is yet to be confirmed by the club, but the new strip will see a new sponsor for the first time in 15 years following the departure of Britannia on the club's shirts.

It looks like it has only changed slightly from last season’s design though as the Potters aim to secure a first top 10 finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Home kit verdict: 6/10

Nod to the past: Peter Crouch (right) revealed Stoke's new away kit to mark 150 years of the club

Sunderland

It's a bright new era on the pitch for Sunderland under new boss Martin O'Neill, but sadly less can be said about their kit from adidas this year.

There's nothing nothing terribly wrong with the home strip, the first designed by the German kit supplier, but there is nothing that stands out about it neither.

Well maybe one thing and that's the sponsor 'Invest in Africa'. A worthy cause and one to be applauded.

Sunderland are pleased with the deal they have agreed with Tullow Oil, who run the not-for-profit initiative.

But sadly it does not fit well on the new home kit which appears to be a very basic and boring design.

Home kit verdict: 6/10

Sticking to stripes: Sunderland's home kit is their first made by adidas

Sunderland's new away kit is one of those which divides opinion. Some already hate its aquamarine feel, but others say it is a potential grower and must be given time. The teal - or perhaps turquoise - trim is a bit dodgy.

The sponsor, Invest in Africa, goes nicely on the shirt though, its bold impact print standing out.

But regardless of whether the logo will do good, this page is all about the quality of the kit. And sadly, Sunderland do not deliver.

Away kit verdict: 6/10

Watery: Sunderland's away kit is curiously coloured

Swansea

It is said Swansea play football like Barcelona, and now they have got kit like Real Madrid.

To mark their Centenary year the club have swapped the usual black trim on their white home strip for gold, as modelled - albeit rather cheesily- by club captain Garry Monk, wingers Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair and striker Danny Graham.

While the modelling skills of the quartet are questionable to say the least, the kit adds yet more class to the slick-passing Swans ahead of their second season in the Premier League.

Home kit verdict: 9/10

Going for gold: Swansea model their centenary kit

Swansea are the pride of Wales when it comes to Premier League football and next season they'll be flying the flag on the pitch with their new away strip.

And to celebrate their Centenary year, the Swans are paying tribute to their roots by becoming the first Welsh team to wear the nation's red, white and green colours across Premier League grounds in England next term.

Wales international Ashley Williams was hand to launch the new patriotic number, alongside team-mates Jazz Richards, Neil Taylor and Joe Allen.

Away kit verdict: 8/10

Away we go: Swansea's stars will be flying the flag for Wales with their new away strip next season

Tottenham

It’s a new era down at White Hart Lane with recently appointed manager, Andre Villas-Boas hoping to take Tottenham back into the Champions League and beyond.

But it’s also a new era for their kit. Puma have departed after six years (and 21 kits!) and have been replaced by American designers Under Armour.

And for the home strip, the team from across the pond have done their homework. An all-white design looks very familiar to kits the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Clive Allen used to run out in back in the 1980s.

The grey trim, also a staple from the 80s, may take some getting used to but it’s a tidy effort from the designers new to the Premier League.

Home kit verdict: 7/10

An all-white effort: Tottenham stars including Scott Parker (centre) show off the new Under Armour kits

But if fans are unsure about the home strip then they should take some consolation in the away kit.

Under Armour have stuck to the basics with a traditional navy blue strip, which unlike the home number, has a white V-neck and white trim on the sleeves.

It’s not too ambitious but its simplicity works well. The only surprise for Tottenham supporters is there hasn’t been a third kit released…yet.

Away Kit verdict: 8/10

West Brom

Since teaming with adidas last season, West Brom’s sales of replica kits have shot through the roof – much helped by the release of three classy designs for the fans to show off their support.

But there is only so much you can do with a strict template of stripes and the easy way out is to simply switch around the two colours in question.

All change: New West Brom boss Steve Clarke shows off the club's home kit

That’s what the German kit designer’s have done with the new home shirt, with blue now gracing the sleeves instead of white.

The shorts and socks remain white though so fans should once again be pleased with their team’s strip. Even the new sponsor Zoopla is an upgrade on the red bodog logos that slightly tarnished last season’s kit.

Home kit verdict: 7/10

West Ham

It’s back to the Premier League for West Ham so naturally it’s time for the Hammers to release a new set of kits to celebrate the occasion.

It's suitable that for their return to the Premier League there’s more than a hint of the club’s tradition in the new home strip (modelled by skipper Kevin Nolan and striker Carlton Cole).

Suppliers Macron have retained the blue sleeves and also run the colour through an unusual v-shaped collar. The result is a nice, streamlined effect and an uncluttered design like the days of yore.

The only concession to the detail expected from kits these days is a faint Irons detail on the back, but even that is barely noticeable tucked away at the bottom.

Fans will just have to hope the shirt will feature Premier League badges for more than one year... 

Home Kit Verdict: 8/10

East Enders: Captain Kevin Nolan and striker Carlton Cole model the new West Ham home kit

The away strip, meanwhile, is nothing too radical from the east London club.

Navy blue has been a staple for West Ham change kits in recent years but fans may be divided on the collar from designers Macron who have attempted to blend claret and blue on to the shirt.

Otherwise it’s a tidy design but ultimately it will be how the Hammers fare on the road this season that will decide if the kit will stay on the terraces beyond this term.

Away kit verdict: 7/10

Noble effort: Macron have released a new away kit for West Ham's return to the Premier League

Wigan

Wigan’s revival in the second half of last season promoted a resurgence in local support for the Latics, and nothing has shown that more than the demand of replicas for their new home kit.

With an eighth consecutive season in the Barclays Premier League already assured before the last game of the season, fans flocked to the club store to purchase next season’s strip with record sales reported.

With stocks already running low after the final game against Wolves, a new batch was ordered and supporters appear pleased with the new design.

The neat and tidy plain blue design from 2011/12 has gone, with stripes returning to the kit for the first time since 2010.

However, marks are deducted for a slightly messy black trim and the absence of stripes on the back of the shirt which instead is just plain blue.

With away and third kits being sold off at over 60 per cent discount, supporters can brace themselves for the possibility of up to two more strips being released.

Home kit verdict: 6/10

All change: Wigan have released new home and away strips for the 2012/13 season

The away strip sees Wigan back in black for the third time in the top flight, so nothing new for the fans to take in here then.

Unlike the home kit though, kit suppliers Mi-Fit have gone down the simple route and elected for a plain black design with yellow trim and logos – much like Liverpool from the 2009/10 season.

Some may see it as boring but it will age well and is a lot better than some of the fashion disasters seen by other manufactures trying to be hard to be different.

James McArthur may not look too happy modelling the design, but he told the club’s website he is a big fan of the new away kit.

McArthur said: 'I love it, the colour is great and hopefully it will bring us luck and we can pick up a lot of points on the road in it too!'

Away kit verdict: 6/10