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How to display football shirts
What good is a football shirt if you can’t show it off?
So far in Collectors Club we’ve discussed a range of topics including how best to wash your shirts, and also how to avoid buying a fake football kit in the first place.
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We also talked about storing football shirts, but what about if you want to do more than just keep your shirts neatly tucked away? What if your latest purchase is something you want to show off to friends and family? What if your home office needs a centrepiece item, something which will inspire you each and every day (or more reaslistically, tempt you into more purchases you don't strictly need...).
Helping us with today’s subject are @TheShirtMan_ and @aleksandarjason, two collectors who are active in the shirt community.
How to display football shirts
1. Use a rail for a flexible storage/display solution
When it comes to displaying shirts, it’s good to walk before you run. Many of us have used or still use some sort of open rail to store our shirts, and the great thing about a rail is that your shirts are both neatly stored away and also on display.
Whilst you won’t quite get the full effect of a shirt that’s hung on a wall, you can still easily show off your latest finds with minimal hassle.
Most recent picture Phil 👍🏼 97 and counting. pic.twitter.com/u4Om3zOPbi
— The Shirt 〽️an (@TheShirtMan_) September 17, 2020
The Shirt Man: I bought a rail from eBay for £19.95, and 120 hangers for around £25. A shirt collection is something to be proud of so I show it off!
2. Adhesive hooks are perfect when transitioning to hanging shirts on the wall
As good as a rail is, sometimes we all want to treat our football shirts like the works of art that they are.
Hanging shirts on the wall can be daunting, but if you’re not ready or willing to commit to more permanent fittings, adhesive hooks (or similar options) are a superb option.
Can’t beat an adhesive hook + hanger combo pic.twitter.com/2xRDj2ZJbS
— 11 (@AqilSyednur2) September 4, 2020
Aleksandar: The wifey has set up a few adhesive hooks on a wall for me, with a special kit room now becoming our babies nursery - I had about 10 kits on a wall at one stage.
If you’re not keen on storing your shirts ‘naked’ on the wall, framed shirts are a good option with the added protection that can give you peace of mind.
The Shirt Man: Personally, i would only hang a shirt on the wall if it was framed & it would have to be special to be framed, limited edition, signed etc.
Mine are all stored away, safe from unwanted feline attacks. Apart from this one... pic.twitter.com/Ages7ZRPeT
— Gary (@swoosh1968) September 4, 2020
3. Arrange and/or theme your display
Whatever your chosen display method, it’s fun to arrange your shirts in some sort of theme. Popular options include grouping by country, or opting for a colour system (rainbow display anyone?).
The Shirt Man: I have my shirts on display in colour order for all to see!
Of course if your collection is particularly large, there’s also a practical consideration when arranging your shirts in a certain way.
4. Display your shirt alongside other items
One of the best ways you can bring life to your display is with the addition of some extra pieces of football memorabilia.
The possibilities are endless. You can try and pair items by colour, or even match that old ticket of yours with shirts worn during the same game! Non football items can pair well too; even the simplest combinations can work wonders.
— marcus marritt (@marcusmarritt) September 17, 2020
Aleksandar: Alongside my shirts, I display books, vinyls, scarfs and only recently a pair of adidas f50 boots i've had since I was 18! There are also a lot of magazines that I’ve had my photography featured in such as SoccerBible, Ramona, Pog Mo Goal and more.
5. Create content using your display
Once you have a good display setup, why not make use of it?
Use the display as a backdrop for some videos of YouTube. Curate a series of posts on Twitter that utilise your kit display. Shirts are a universal language, and even the humblest collections can be the foundation of a great conversation on social media.
I’d be honoured @phildelves / this is just what’s on display for my channel - have 2 more rooms full of kits pic.twitter.com/ncK7MzWOgv
— aleksandarjason (@aleksandarjason) September 17, 2020
Aleksandar: The elite items of my collection are hung on a special ikea stand I have in my study. This is where I film my YouTube channel; and just below that I have a few folded kits.
Being a photographer my goal is to open my own photo studio, and whenever that happens - I do need to secure one entire room for my kits. Almost as if it is its own gallery…
Shoutout to @TheShirtMan_ and @aleksandarjason for helping us with today’s topic.
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