When Nike took over the NFL uniform contract, speculation ran rampant that they would drastically overhaul each team’s uniforms just as they did, say, the University of Oregon’s. In fact, only the Seahawks saw a truly radical change, donning a new style that’s helped establish theirs as one of the more acclaimed looks in the league. Today, another team unveils a head-to-toe reimagining; behold, the new Buccaneers uniforms.
In collaboration with the Bucs and the NFL, Nike designers looked to the Tampa Bay area itself for sartorial inspiration, creating a new set that takes design cues from the city’s roots and local culture, while simultaneously acting as a tribute to the fanatic fan base. Most notably, the new uniform embraces the beloved palette of the franchise’s past.
While the base uniform color sports a richer shade of pewter, set off by a deep red, the team’s beloved “Bay Orange” returns in earnest, appearing as the primary trim and accents throughout both jersey and pant. Ever the sartorial trailblazers, the Bucs also become the first team in the NFL to incorporate reflective elements, sporting a special chrome border on the numbers.
Those numbers, along with the letters, represent a custom typeface for the Bucs, one that employs beveled edges informed by buccaneer blade carvings.
A new helmet will top off Buccaneers uniforms in 2014 as well, utilizing a reimagined logotype and a meaner, more menacing Jolly Roger image.
Of course the team will also wear a red-based jersey in the coming season (edit: here it is!) — one that also sports contrast sleeves and two different number-colors — but that’s a story for another day, so stay tuned. For now, check out the new white Buccaneers jersey below.