• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Why England are wearing blue rather than white in Women's World Cup final

Home> News> Sport

Updated 11:59 19 Aug 2023 GMT+1Published 12:00 19 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Why England are wearing blue rather than white in Women's World Cup final

There are several reasons why the Lionesses have switched up their white and navy blue kit for a pale blue ensemble

Simon Fearn

Simon Fearn

Featured Image Credit: Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images/Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

Topics: World Cup, Sport, Football

Simon Fearn
Simon Fearn

Simon is a sub-editor at LADbible. He studied journalism at City, University of London, and has written for Digital Spy, The Stage and The Drinks Business. He's a big fan of low budget horror films, regular caffeine hits and extended arguments about Oxford commas. You can contact Simon at [email protected].

X

@smffearn

Advert

Advert

Advert

Inbetween screaming for joy and hugging your mates in ecstasy as England triumphed over Australia on Wednesday, you might have been wondering why the Lionesses swapped their usual white and navy blue kit for a light blue ensemble.

You may well be asking yourself the same question tomorrow as the side takes on Spain in a bid to become the first English side to take home the World Cup trophy in 57 years - no pressure, by the way.

The thought of it finally coming home has sent the nation into a frenzy. Bad news though, folks - if we win we won’t be getting an extra Bank Holiday.

Advert

But what’s the reason behind the change of kit?

The Lionesses wore light blue in the World Cup semi-final against Australia.
Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

Well, it turns out it’s all down to the Lionesses’ shorts clashing with the Spanish side, who also wear navy shorts.

For tomorrow’s final, Spain apparently got to pick first, and opted to wear their home kit, meaning England had to change it up.

It was the same story for the semi-final. FIFA makes sure there is a sufficient contrast in opposing team's kits so fans who are colour-blind don’t get confused, and they decided that the Matildas' gold top and dark green shorts versus the Lionesses light blue kit provided the best contrast.

Advert

The Lionesses haven’t always worn navy blue shorts though.

Lauren Hemp in the Lionesses usual white and navy blue combo.
Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

They previously wore all white, but made the switch earlier this year after players such as Beth Mead and Lucy Parker said navy shorts would make them feel more comfortable if they were playing while on their period.

Mead said: “It is very nice to have an all-white kit but sometimes it's not practical when it's the time of the month.”

A similar change recently took place in tennis, where strict rules about all-white clothing were relaxed to allow women to wear different coloured underwear.

Advert

British star Heather Watson was among those celebrating the change, saying it makes a real difference.

She said: "I speak openly about my period, I don't think it's a taboo subject and I would love for people to talk about it more.

England triumphed against Australia in the World Cup semi-finals.
Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images

"Last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew I had to wear white undershorts and I didn't want any embarrassment.

"We're running around sweating, doing the splits on court. This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again so I'm very happy I won't have to do the same thing as last year."

Advert

So there you have it, if your mates ask why the Lionesses have changed their kit, you now have the answer.

Though I reckon the colour of England’s kit won’t be the main thing on people’s minds during a sure-to-be nail-biting World Cup final.

Choose your content:

13 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • 13 hours ago

    World's 'first flying car' is going on sale much sooner than you think

    Flying cars are still something for the future, but apparently the rapidly approaching future

    News
  • 14 hours ago

    Experts issued warning over certain tattoo colour that could increase risk of deadly disease

    There can be some long-term health risks to going under the tattoo needle

    News
  • 14 hours ago

    Man who didn't sleep for a record 264 hours suffered from horrendous and potentially deadly side effects

    He smashed the record but suffered dangerous side effects in the process

    News
  • 14 hours ago

    The targets Iran could strike as it issues chilling threat to UK amid ongoing conflict

    The world isn't feeling particularly safe right now

    News
  • Reason why the Olympics men's hurdles are 110m and women's are 100m
  • New study reveals reason why women's brains age better than men's
  • Alcohol has been completely banned for 2034 World Cup
  • Jamie Carragher launches huge defence of Gareth Southgate and points out ‘fact why England lost Euro 2024 final'