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Scottish national team's jersey

A kit is the standard equipment and attire worn by players in association football (soccer). The sport's Laws of the Game specify the minimum equipment to be used, and also prohibit the use of anything that is dangerous to himself or another player. Furthermore, competition rules may stipulate further restrictions, such as regulating colours or requiring numbers on shirts.

The Laws require all players to have the following separate items:

• Shirt (or jersey) - many professional clubs have sponsors' logos on the front of their shirts as a way of generating income (national teams however do not normally have sponsors on the shirt) Depending on local rules, there may be restrictions on how large the logo may be. There is also often a smaller emblem of the shirt manufacturer and a club badge. On the back, there is often the player's number and surname. The player chooses whether they want to wear a long-sleeved shirt or a short-sleeved shirt.
• Shorts
• Footwear
• Shin pads
• Stockings (or socks)

Goalkeepers must wear colours that are easily distinguishable from all other players and the match officials.

Goalkeepers almost always wear goalkeeper gloves, though there is nothing preventing other players from doing so. Goalkeepers sometimes also wear caps to prevent glare from the sun or floodlights affecting their performance. Players with sight problems may wear glasses providing there is no risk of them falling off or breaking and thereby becoming dangerous (the most famous case of these special sports glasses in recent times is Edgar Davids). However jewelery, watches or other items that may be dangerous to any players are not allowed.

Referee kits in the United States

Traditionally, referees, assistant referees and fourth officials wear all-black kits. However, increasingly other colours are being used. Referees' jerseys have a pocket sewn in so yellow and red cards, and the referee's notebook can be carried.

Replica shirt

• Graphical History of English and Scottish Football Kits
• History of football kits in England and Scotland
• oldfootballshirts.com
• Interview with John Devlin, the author of the football kit book "True Colours