In a recent Reddit discussion, a user named Prorty389 prompted an engaging conversation about the aesthetics of the 2023 and 2025 MLS kits. The goal? To compare these two distinctive styles and understand what fans felt about them. The post generated a variety of comments, showcasing a range of opinions from strong preferences for one year’s kits over the other, to critiques of the overall design and branding choices made by the teams.
Summary
- Fans appear more favorable towards the 2023 kits, favoring their design aspects over their 2025 counterparts.
- Some teams, like Atlanta and the Timbers, received kudos for maintaining a classy aesthetic yet are still compared unfavorably by some users.
- Critiques pointed out that several 2025 kits resembled training tops, diminishing their aesthetic appeal.
- The discussion also highlighted how sponsor logos play a significant role in the visual design.
The Aesthetic Divide
The primary sentiment coming from Reddit regarding the kits was clear: many users found the 2023 kits vastly superior to those of 2025. Comments reflected a collective nostalgia and appreciation for the 2023 designs. User Bouck stated, “Good and bad on both sides of the coin. However, I feel like 2023 kits overall look better.” Such sentiments were echoed by users who specifically noted that 2025’s new template felt less inspiring or even boring. The conversation explored how visual flavor really matters in sports, and it’s glaringly noticeable when teams miss that critical mark.
Template Troubles
A number of users weighed in on the template utilized for the kits, suggesting that 2023’s base template stood out to them, while they found the 2025 design unappealing. Bouck further shared, “I think the 2023 base template is one of the best I’ve seen and the 2025 is one of the worst I’ve seen”—a strong critique emphasizing how vital the base element of a design can be. Such stark contrasts provoke discussions about whether teams or leagues should be more experimental or take risks in their fashion game. While some saw potential in the 2025 kits’ outlined templates, others firmly believed a change was necessary for the league’s image.
Sponsor Showcase
The presence of sponsor logos also became a talking point with users marveling at how these elements either enhanced or detracted from the overall kit design. Poam27 commented wistfully, “I’m so jealous of teams that don’t have healthcare or insurance sponsors,” pointing out the sometimes jarring sponsorship affiliations that interrupt the aesthetic narrative of a team’s visual identity. It’s a double-edged sword—while sponsorship is crucial for financial support in sports, an over-saturation of distracting logos could clash with the intended design. Some fans believe that teams with fewer sponsorships have a visual edge simply because their kits feel cleaner and more focused.
Fan Favorites and Least Favored Kits
When fans shared their personal rankings, a clearer picture emerged of who was winning the fashion race. User bwoah07_gp2 listed a detailed comparison favoring eight teams for the 2023 look while naming a different batch for 2025, showcasing the divide in preferences. They expressed confusion over their favoritism toward some teams that sported similarly appealing kits for both years. This conversational contest demonstrated passionate rivalries, not just on the field but also in the style stakes. User Kooky-Flounder-7498 declared their favorite kit as being RSL’s, while dissing LAFC’s new design as reminiscent of forgotten styles—an impactful parallel that resonated with several others.
A distinct polarization formed among fans, with many opting for the cleaner, classier lines of the 2023 offerings. Other users chimed in reaffirming that, “Aside from a few, we’re in agreement that 2023 was better, right?” This approach to comparing the kits fosters a sense of camaraderie as fans bond over their preferences, while mentioning that even the renowned clubs can drop the ball sometimes.
The heart of the ongoing fashion debate, layered with sentiments of nostalgia, critique, and approval, brings out fandom’s playful side as they dissect kits with noteworthy creativity. Users surprisingly found jests in their disagreements and even offered suggestions on what designs could lead to an ultimate upgrade, proving fashion in sports is indeed a passionate narrative shared by countless fans.
Overall, the discussion surrounding the 2023 and 2025 MLS kits is more than a conversation about fashion; it represents the ongoing passion sports fans have for their teams and the identities these kits create. From critiques to heartfelt nostalgia for the past, the discussions on Reddit illustrate that for fans, a kit is not just a garment—it’s a reflection of pride, history, and sometimes, frustration. Whether one is donning the threads of 2023 or eagerly awaiting the enhancements of 2025, one thing is clear: the conversation is far from over.