Leading fashion designer rates best and worst AFL jumpers

One AFL club has the ‘Ralph Lauren of jumpers’ but another has been slammed as having ‘no identity’ by a leading fashion designer. Have your say.

Carlton’s “classic” and “chic” jumper is a standout in the fashion stakes, but Gold Coast’s strip needs an overhaul because it will “never” become fashionable.

Those are the views of a leading Melbourne fashion designer, who also believes Fremantle’s purple haze jumper is not as bad as some footy fans think.

Chris Kontos, the creative director for lifestyle fashion brand Jack + Mooki, cast his artistic eye over all 18 AFL club jumpers for the Herald Sun to provide a fashion industry view on what works and what doesn’t.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE AFL JUMPER? VOTE BELOW

Kontos said he could not go past Carlton’s traditional jumper as the best of the bunch.

“The navy blue paired with white crest is so chic,” Kontos said.

“It’s like the Ralph Lauren of jumpers in the AFL, timeless and steeped in history.”

The much-loved yellow sash on an otherwise black Richmond jumper is also seen as big winner.

The current sash style has been used by the Tigers since 1919.

“Simplicity is key in good design,” Kontos said.

“Not too over-thought and kept simply gives the best outcome. The colours work well together, too. I love a thick cross stripe, so it’s very fashionable.”

Carlton’s classic jumper is a hit with fashion experts.

Gold Coast has one of the newest jumpers in the AFL, which was first used when the Suns entered the competition in 2011.

However, it is also considered of one the worst fashion statements in the league.

“It has no identity or vibe,” Kontos said.

“It needs something to relate back to the Gold Coast.

“The logo isn’t exactly groundbreaking. It doesn’t take a genius to put the team’s initials inside a football shape.

“If the club can bring some design and culture into the jumper, they might find that identity the club has been searching for.”

Kontos said Fremantle’s purple jumper reminded him of a “Tom Ford design for Gucci”, but he preferred the club’s 2020 Indigenous Round jumper.

“Fremantle — even all teams — should wear their indigenous jumper,” Kontos said.

“I love the idea that the jumper has a story to tell. All good design has a background and story. It helps inspire you when you see its story.”

Daniel Rioli models Richmond’s indigenous jumper. Picture: Alex Coppel

The Gold Coast Suns jumper gets a big thumbs down. Picture: Michael Klein

CHRIS KONTOS’ WORST THREE AFL JUMPERS OF ALL TIME

1. West Coast (2000)

This jumper looks like someone created it in Microsoft Paint on an IBM computer in 1992 and hit the go button. Moving away from the traditional yellow and blue combo for the Eagles, this just gives me major design anxiety.

West Coast’s Peter Matera tries to pick up a loose ball under pressure from Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley during a match in 2000.

2. Brisbane Lions (2011)

The only good think this jumper has going for it is that Jonathan Brown wore it. Browny aside, this jumper is not only hideous in colour and style, but a one-on-one geography lesson. For all the folks that did not know what the shape of Queensland is, it is right there front and centre on the footy field.

Jonathan Brown (middle) models a special Brisbane Lions ‘Queensland Spirit’ jumper worn in 2011.

Nathan Brown in a Bulldogs heritage jumper in 2003.

3. Western Bulldogs (2003)

This jumper is a broadcaster’s nightmare. Do not adjust your screens, people, if you want this horrid jumper to make you cross-eyed. These poor players from the Bulldogs must have been furious with this jumper selection. No wonder they lost to Essendon by 67 points that day. What an all-round disaster.