49ers are officially changing unis next season

[jgiff17]

I know this is a little late, but loking at the Madden pic I actually like the uniforms even more. I always loved these 49er unforms and with the strips placed in this form it almost gives you a really old school feel. Think back to the Steelers uniforms during the 75th anniverary year with the stripes all over the jersey. I don't think they meant to do this with the 49er jerseys but that is exactly what I see with that Madden pic and if they look like that come gameday I think it's a nice look into the past.

[BBTV]

A lot of teams wear black shoes, but don't have black in their color scheme. Thoughts? Acceptable?

A fair question. My opinion (I know you weren't asking me though) is that the facemask is a component of the helmet, which is a logod / marketed part of the uniform. In a lot of NFL marketing, only the helmet is used to define the team. In a sense, the helmet (and by association, the facemask) is a default alternate logo for every team.

The shoes aren't logod, aren't marketed (by the teams / league at least), don't touch anything that is team-colored (they're only up against the white part of the sock) and aren't an integral part of the team's identity. It's important for everyone to be wearing the same shoes for uniformity sake, but unless those shoes detract from the actual uniform, it's not that big of a deal. IMO the shoes just have to "not hurt" things.

[STL FANATIC]

A lot of teams wear black shoes, but don't have black in their color scheme. Thoughts? Acceptable?

A fair question. My opinion (I know you weren't asking me though) is that the facemask is a component of the helmet, which is a logod / marketed part of the uniform. In a lot of NFL marketing, only the helmet is used to define the team. In a sense, the helmet (and by association, the facemask) is a default alternate logo for every team.

The shoes aren't logod, aren't marketed (by the teams / league at least), don't touch anything that is team-colored (they're only up against the white part of the sock) and aren't an integral part of the team's identity. It's important for everyone to be wearing the same shoes for uniformity sake, but unless those shoes detract from the actual uniform, it's not that big of a deal. IMO the shoes just have to "not hurt" things.

My opinion has always been that, no, it's not acceptable.

So many do it that it's almost not worth arguing, but I don't like it. Wear white and or team colored shoes. If you've got black in your scheme, then go ahead and wear black.

[BBTV]

A lot of teams wear black shoes, but don't have black in their color scheme. Thoughts? Acceptable?

A fair question. My opinion (I know you weren't asking me though) is that the facemask is a component of the helmet, which is a logod / marketed part of the uniform. In a lot of NFL marketing, only the helmet is used to define the team. In a sense, the helmet (and by association, the facemask) is a default alternate logo for every team.

The shoes aren't logod, aren't marketed (by the teams / league at least), don't touch anything that is team-colored (they're only up against the white part of the sock) and aren't an integral part of the team's identity. It's important for everyone to be wearing the same shoes for uniformity sake, but unless those shoes detract from the actual uniform, it's not that big of a deal. IMO the shoes just have to "not hurt" things.

My opinion has always been that, no, it's not acceptable.

So many do it that it's almost not worth arguing, but I don't like it. Wear white and or team colored shoes. If you've got black in your scheme, then go ahead and wear black.

Oh, I totally feel the same way, just not as strongly as you. If I'm King, the Packers aren't in black shoes... but I'm not losing sleep over it.

[DarkJourney]

Just fix the stripes on the jersey and the color of the face mask and I would be fine with the change

[9erssteve]

San Francisco 49ers Scarlet (circa 1980 through 1995) vs. San Francisco 49ers Red (2009 through present):

< - >

The "Classic" throwback uniforms that the Niners wore through last season DID use this newer Red. With an incorrect Gold. However, I have numerous Style Guides, official digital files and documentation that clearly state the older Scarlet shown here is correct.

Pantone Textiles weren't used for fabric matching in the NFL until 1997, so I can't vouch for what fabrics were actually used prior to the 1997 season.

I think what they're doing is using a more trendy proprietary Reebok Red for the color that's close enough to the older Scarlet - it sounds good to the P.R. dept. This is the same Red that the Falcons, Texans and Buccaneers are wearing, and like I said - it uses a custom Reebok fabric for reproduction.

Okay again just a guess off a screen so could be out but that looks like pms 186, which according to the first lot of files i have (1999) was also the Kansas City Chiefs red?

The first lot of files i have i have total faith in as i was handed them by a PR dept to use on some work i did. The second lot of files i have come from slightly murkier sources but i'm still pretty sure are accurate, based on comparing the way the artwork was produced while viewing it in outline mode (date of creation unknown). They have the Chiefs playing in pms 187 and the 9ers throwbacks as 187 but interestingly the pants stripes being 186!

Could you shed any light on possible time of creation for the second lot of files i have based on changes in colour? I know it's a big ask but i get the feeling it's the kind of colour related mystery you might be keen on.

9erssteve

[tBBP]

San Francisco 49ers Scarlet (circa 1980 through 1995) vs. San Francisco 49ers Red (2009 through present):

< - >

The "Classic" throwback uniforms that the Niners wore through last season DID use this newer Red. With an incorrect Gold. However, I have numerous Style Guides, official digital files and documentation that clearly state the older Scarlet shown here is correct.

Pantone Textiles weren't used for fabric matching in the NFL until 1997, so I can't vouch for what fabrics were actually used prior to the 1997 season.

I think what they're doing is using a more trendy proprietary Reebok Red for the color that's close enough to the older Scarlet - it sounds good to the P.R. dept. This is the same Red that the Falcons, Texans and Buccaneers are wearing, and like I said - it uses a custom Reebok fabric for reproduction.

Okay...THIS explains why the "Buccaneer red" is all over the place in so much of the apparel and other Buc stuff I have. For some crazy reason, pretty much every piece of print media, most web graphics, and hell, even a few "gift items" use a red that may as well be crimson. I'm looking right at my cousin's red game jersey, and I'm looking at some other Bucs stuff I've got right next to it--and I see at least three different shades of red. The funny thing is that the jersey is the lightest of them all...

[TruColor]

Okay again just a guess off a screen so could be out but that looks like pms 186, which according to the first lot of files i have (1999) was also the Kansas City Chiefs red?

The first lot of files i have i have total faith in as i was handed them by a PR dept to use on some work i did. The second lot of files i have come from slightly murkier sources but i'm still pretty sure are accurate, based on comparing the way the artwork was produced while viewing it in outline mode (date of creation unknown). They have the Chiefs playing in pms 187 and the 9ers throwbacks as 187 but interestingly the pants stripes being 186!

Could you shed any light on possible time of creation for the second lot of files i have based on changes in colour? I know it's a big ask but i get the feeling it's the kind of colour related mystery you might be keen on.

9erssteve

The way the NFL matches colors is confusing. A number of teams use one kind of Red for printing, but match different colors for their fabrics.

Back in 2002, the Chiefs changed from PANTONE 186 C to PANTONE 187 C for printing purposes, but did not change their fabric colors - which match 186.

I really don't know the reasoning for the 49ers' choice in colors as far as their "Classic" uniforms go, but here is an example of what they used for those throwbacks:

...as opposed to what I have as far as official for that era (based on official Style Guide evidence):

I'm assuming that the people who came up with the throwback colors know a lot more about what was actually worn than I do.

[9erssteve]

Okay again just a guess off a screen so could be out but that looks like pms 186, which according to the first lot of files i have (1999) was also the Kansas City Chiefs red?

The first lot of files i have i have total faith in as i was handed them by a PR dept to use on some work i did. The second lot of files i have come from slightly murkier sources but i'm still pretty sure are accurate, based on comparing the way the artwork was produced while viewing it in outline mode (date of creation unknown). They have the Chiefs playing in pms 187 and the 9ers throwbacks as 187 but interestingly the pants stripes being 186!

Could you shed any light on possible time of creation for the second lot of files i have based on changes in colour? I know it's a big ask but i get the feeling it's the kind of colour related mystery you might be keen on.

9erssteve

The way the NFL matches colors is confusing. A number of teams use one kind of Red for printing, but match different colors for their fabrics.

Back in 2002, the Chiefs changed from PANTONE 186 C to PANTONE 187 C for printing purposes, but did not change their fabric colors - which match 186.

I really don't know the reasoning for the 49ers' choice in colors as far as their "Classic" uniforms go, but here is an example of what they used for those throwbacks:

...as opposed to what I have as far as official for that era (based on official Style Guide evidence):

I'm assuming that the people who came up with the throwback colors know a lot more about what was actually worn than I do.

I wouldn't say that you seem to know your stuff!

I reckon it's far more likely that Reebok didn't have a fabric that matched perfectly (as they didn't make the classic shirts) so it was easier to reposition the print colour by one pantone number than invest in creating a perfect match with regards a new red fabric for making shirts when they already had one so close that the majority of people would see no difference while viewing them on tv.

Thanks for all the info ColorWerx it's much appreciated.

9erssteve

[Joshawaggie]

Here is an article about the new jerseys. Some interesting info.

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1850257.html

[uniguy22]

"Once it's on the player and his arm is down, it looks like there are three stripes," director of marketing Michael Williams said.

Umm, no it doesn't. It looks like a complete mess.

[leopard88]

"Once it's on the player and his arm is down, it looks like there are three stripes," director of marketing Michael Williams said.

Umm, no it doesn't. It looks like a complete mess.

"Hey, look! Now that Vernon Davis put his arms to his sides, the bottom two stripes now magically appear to go all the way around. Incredible!!!!"

[ca8642]

At least this little creature doesn't have to worry about those crazy stripes on the sleeves. This creature definitely has the updated look (colors may be off slightly) - all it needs is a SF logo slapped on. The only creature in the animal kingdom that has corresponding NFL helmet stripes other than of course, the Bengals (Tigers).

http://www.biopix.com/Species.asp?Searchte...gory=Arthropoda

Note: The pattern on the shrimp if head on is "red/white/red." Found a lead from uniwatchblog and did research on this bizarre "niners" shrimp - it is a Pacific White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp.

Maybe Pantone 186 or 187? Metallic Curry Gold of another shade?

[ferrousoxide66]

"Once it's on the player and his arm is down, it looks like there are three stripes," director of marketing Michael Williams said.

Umm, no it doesn't. It looks like a complete mess.

A complete mess? It's just three thin stripes!

Good lord!

[ColeJ]

i still don't understand why they can't just use 3 real stripes, instead of some funky failed optical illusion.

[ca8642]

i still don't understand why they can't just use 3 real stripes, instead of some funky failed optical illusion.

I'm a 49er fan - I wouldn't buy the retail version which has the same distorted stripes... It looks like some manufacturer's defect.

[FiddySicks]

going with a thinner stripe on the side of the leg that is less restrictive.

I'm sorry but that's just complete and total BS. How in the world would the width of a pants stripe be restrictive? Thats like saying a team is more aerodynamic this season than last because their helmet stripe is thinner.

[patsox]

going with a thinner stripe on the side of the leg that is less restrictive.

I'm sorry but that's just complete and total BS. How in the world would the width of a pants stripe be restrictive? Thats like saying a team is more aerodynamic this season than last because their helmet stripe is thinner.

Maybe that's what the Lions were thinking

[Gothamite]

i still don't understand why they can't just use 3 real stripes, instead of some funky failed optical illusion.

Because there simply isn't enough room on all the players' sleeves for five stripes (three white, two red of the same thickness). We see this on the Bears, we see it on the Browns, we see it on the Steelers - they get cut off when players cut their cap sleeves.

The 49ers are simply bowing to reality, trying to standardize the way that all players' sleeves will look on the field. I think the replica sleeves are goofy, but am cautiously optimistic about what the authentics will look like over pads.

[BBTV]

The only thing that the slanted-stripe solution affords them is the ability to place the stripes lower on the sleeve, while still making them look somewhat horizontal. None of the stripes (not even the top one, contrary to what that article says) go all the way around, so the net-effect isn't much different than what other teams with stripes have. I will agree with them that if you have to have your stripes that low, this is the best solution. Ideally though, the solution is not to use outdated design elements.