The phrase “Like a second skin: Juve with irregular stripes and casual bulls” appears to reference Juventus Football Club’s iconic black-and-white striped jerseys and their evolving design, particularly the 2019/20 season kit, which marked a significant departure from tradition. Below is an analysis of what this phrase suggests about Juventus’ shirts, their symbolism, and what they reveal about the club’s identity, branding, and cultural shifts, drawing on available information about Juventus’ kit history and emblem changes.
Juventus’ Traditional Black-and-White Stripes
- Historical Context: Juventus adopted their black-and-white vertical stripes in 1903, inspired by English club Notts County, after a player, John Savage, arranged for a shipment of kits to replace their original pink and black attire. These stripes became synonymous with the club’s identity, earning them nicknames like I Bianconeri (The Black and Whites) and Le Zebre (The Zebras). The design has been a constant, symbolizing tradition, resilience, and elegance, described as fitting “like a second skin” for players and fans due to its iconic fit and cultural weight.
- Symbolism: The stripes represent Juventus’ storied history, with the club’s dominance in Italian football (38 Serie A titles, including nine consecutive from 2011–2020) mirrored in the bold, consistent pattern. The design evokes a sense of unity and pride, worn by legends like Alessandro Del Piero and Zinedine Zidane, reinforcing the club’s legacy as La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady).
The 2019/20 Kit: Irregular Stripes
- Break from Tradition: In 2019, Juventus introduced a controversial home kit for the 2019/20 season, designed by Adidas, which replaced the traditional vertical stripes with a halved design: one black half, one white half, divided by a thin pink vertical line (a nod to the club’s original colors). This was a dramatic shift after 116 years of striped kits, sparking debate among fans and analysts. The blog Black and White and Read All Over criticized it as “ditching their history for a year in the hopes of making more of a fashion statement.”
- Interpretation of “Irregular Stripes”: The phrase “irregular stripes” likely refers to this unconventional design, which broke the rhythmic, vertical pattern fans associated with Juventus. The halved jersey was seen as a bold, modern experiment, prioritizing global marketability and fashion-forward appeal over tradition. Critics argued it alienated fans, while supporters of the change saw it as a versatile, “modern classic” that retained the black-and-white essence in a simplified form.
- Cultural and Commercial Implications: The shift reflected Juventus’ ambition to expand their global brand, especially under the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing in 2018, which elevated their international profile. The kit aimed to appeal to younger audiences and align with trends in sportswear fashion, where minimalist designs resonate in streetwear culture. However, it risked disconnecting from the club’s core fanbase, who view the stripes as integral to Juventus’ identity, much like Brazil’s gold-and-blue kit or Barcelona’s blaugrana.
“Casual Bulls” and the Juventus Emblem
- The Bull in Juventus’ Identity: The “casual bulls” likely refers to the charging bull, a symbol of Turin (the club’s home city), featured in Juventus’ emblem until 2017. The bull, depicted in the club’s 2004–2017 crest (a black-and-white oval shield with five vertical stripes, a mural crown, and the bull), symbolized strength and heritage, tying Juventus to Turin’s Roman roots (Augusta Tourinorum).
- 2017 Logo Redesign: In 2017, Juventus replaced the bull and striped crest with a minimalist “J” logo, a white letter on a black background, designed to be a “modern classic” for global branding. The bull’s removal sparked backlash, with fans lamenting the loss of the “tiny horse” (a misnomer, as the bull was sometimes mistaken for a horse or zebra). The term “casual bulls” may suggest a dismissive or nostalgic nod to the bull’s diminished role, reflecting a shift from traditional heraldry to a sleek, corporate identity.
- Connection to “Second Skin”: The phrase “like a second skin” could also apply to the emblem’s evolution, as the new “J” logo was designed to be versatile, appearing on merchandise and digital platforms as effortlessly as the striped kit fits players. The “casual” aspect might hint at the logo’s simplified, less formal design, aligning with modern, casual sportswear trends while retaining Juventus’ core black-and-white aesthetic.
What the Shirts Tell Us
The shirts and their evolving designs reveal several insights about Juventus’ trajectory:
- Balancing Tradition and Innovation: The 2019/20 kit’s irregular design and the 2017 logo change show Juventus’ willingness to challenge tradition to stay relevant in a globalized football market. This mirrors other clubs’ experiments (e.g., Brazil’s shift to gold in 1953) but risks alienating fans who see the stripes as sacred.
- Commercial Ambition: The shift to irregular stripes and a minimalist logo reflects a focus on marketability, targeting younger, international audiences and aligning with fashion trends. Partnerships like the one with Giorgio Armani (announced August 21, 2025, for off-field attire) further emphasize Juventus’ blend of sport and style.
- Fanbase Dynamics: The backlash to the 2019/20 kit and 2017 logo highlights a tension between local, traditional fans and the global fanbase. Social media reactions, as noted in 2017, showed fans “tweeting angrily” about the loss of the bull and stripes, underscoring the emotional weight of these symbols.
- Cultural Identity: The reference to “casual bulls” may evoke Turin’s pride in its symbols, now relegated to a secondary role. Yet, the return to striped kits post-2019/20 and the retention of black-and-white colors show Juventus’ commitment to its core identity, even as it experiments.
Broader Context
The phrase “like a second skin” captures the intimate connection between Juventus’ kits and their fans, players, and history. The irregular stripes of 2019/20 and the “casual bulls” reflect a club navigating modernity while rooted in tradition. This evolution parallels broader trends in football, where clubs like Red Bull Salzburg faced fan revolts over kit changes, highlighting the delicate balance of heritage and innovation. Juventus’ shirts tell a story of a club striving for global dominance while grappling with the expectations of a passionate, tradition-bound fanbase.
Note: The exact phrase “irregular stripes and casual bulls” does not appear verbatim in the provided sources but is interpreted based on Juventus’ kit and logo history. The 2019/20 kit’s halved design is the most likely reference for “irregular stripes,” and the bull’s removal in 2017 aligns with “casual bulls.” For the latest on Juventus’ kits, check official announcements on juventus.com or recent posts on X (@juventusfc).