TOFFS (The Old Fashioned Football Shirt Co.) has built its reputation by creating faithful reproductions of vintage football and rugby kits. Their collections are vast, varied, and steeped in history. Here’s a look at what their collections include, how they differ, and what makes them special.
What Kinds of Collections TOFFS Offers
TOFFS doesn’t just make one type of retro shirt — their range spans multiple styles, eras, and garment types. Key collections include:
- Era‑Based Retro Football & Rugby Shirts
- Designs from the late 1800s up through to the mid‑1990s.
- Includes both club and national teams.
- Vintage goalie kits, outfield shirts, and long-sleeved versions.
- Attention to details like original collar styles, badge designs, sleeve trims typical of the period.
- Classic / Own‑Design Retro Shirts
- Some shirts are inspired by vintage styles but don’t replicate a specific well‑known team’s kit.
- These have retro cuts, cotton materials, and vintage styling (collars, contrast trim) but are more “generic classics.”
- Full Team Replica Pieces
- Specific historic shirts tied to club or international sides: e.g. tournament kits, championship seasons, famous matches.
- Shirts with player numbers and names matching historic squads.
- Rugby Jerseys & Kits
- TOFFS doesn’t limit itself to football. Their rugby/union collection includes vintage jerseys from important matches and long lifetimes ago.
- Leisure & Casual Retro‑Style Wear
- Beyond match‑kit style shirts, there are T‑shirts, track tops, polos, hoodies, sweatshirts — all with retro design elements.
- Some pieces are more fashion‑oriented but maintain vintage fabric, colours, logos, trims etc.
What Sets One Collection Apart from Another
Within TOFFS, different collections and individual items are distinguished by several factors:
| Element | What Varies | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric / Material | Heavy cotton, different weights / textures, knit types. Early era shirts often use thicker cotton. | Influences how it looks and feels; vintage texture, durability, how shirt ages (e.g. shrinking). |
| Cut & Fit | Long sleeve vs short; collar styles (polo, crew, buttoned), original fits vs more modern relaxed fits. | Affects authenticity and comfort; vintage cuts often differ from modern sportswear fits. |
| Design / Detailing | Badge styles (embroidered, felt, stitched), shoulder / sleeve trim, period‑correct logos, sponsor‑less vs sponsored, colour accuracy. | These are what give each piece its character; subtle differences distinguish one era or team from another. |
| Personalization & Printing | Some shirts allow adding player names / numbers; others are strictly replicas without customization. | Personalization adds cost, sometimes impacts returns; some collectors prefer no names to preserve originality. |
Highlights & Fan Favourite Pieces
Some TOFFS items tend to stand out, for their popularity, rarity, or special design:
- 1960s‑style Tottenham Hotspur away shirts with minimal ornamentation, high nostalgia value.
- New Zealand All Blacks 1980s rugby jersey — example of rugby heritage representation.
- Chelsea 1950s retro shirt with classic polo collar and traditional look.
- National team shirts from iconic tournaments — World Cups, European Championships etc. Fans often seek Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay or Italy kits.
How the Collections Serve Different Kinds of Fans
Depending on what you’re into, different pieces of the TOFFS collection will appeal:
- Collectors & Historians: Will lean toward match‑used lookalikes, shirts that replicate specific seasons or tournament designs, rare badges, precise colour shades, and minimal modern ornamentation.
- Casual Wearers: Might prefer the “network‑retro” look or classic shirts with simpler design and more comfortable cuts or more forgiving sizing.
- Fashion‑Forward Fans: Those who love streetwear or vintage style will likely focus on the leisure pieces — hoodies, track tops — which can be styled more broadly.
- Gift Buyers: Might go for personalised names/numbers, or iconic designs from favourite teams/eras as meaningful gifts.
Things to Consider When Browsing TOFFS Collections
- Availability & Lead Times: Some sizes or designs aren’t always in stock; rare historic kits may have longer wait times.
- Authenticity vs Comfort: True vintage style materials (heavy cotton, certain dyes) may shrink, fade, or feel different from modern synthetic kits. Fit may be looser or heavier.
- Personalisation Implications: Once you add number / name printing, returns/exchanges often become limited.
- Price vs Rarity: More iconic kits or those faithful to details tend to cost more. If something is “retro” but generic, it may be cheaper.
Why TOFFS Collections Are Worth Exploring
- They preserve sports heritage in wearable form — giving fans a direct connection to past eras.
- For many, TOFFS brings designs you can’t find through current manufacturers or official merch. Vintage colours, discontinued badges, or sponsor‑less versions are hard to come by elsewhere.
- The craftsmanship and attention to detail often outshine mass‑produced modern replicas in terms of feel, looks, and longevity.
- For collectors, owning a piece from one of TOFFS’s historical lines (e.g. 1950s / 60s / 80s national kits) can be more meaningful than just buying the latest shirt.