As the English team arrived in Russia in Nike tracksuits, the Mexicans seemed ready to sell you a flat and the Iranians ran tie-less. But it was Nigeria who pilfer the show
The England team have landed in Russia ahead of the World Cup tournament, which starts on Thursday. They may have shoehorned an M& S promo shoot in beforehand, but they wisely flew in comfy Nike sportswear allowing for a little mid-flight R& R. Turns out , not every nation was that sensible …
South Korea
South Korea are always ahead with the trends. Neon shades were paired with dark outerwear on the spring 2018 catwalks at Christopher Raeburn and Christopher Shannon, and here, too, it seems, with the South Korean team landing in tracksuits decorated with highlighter pen. The anti-pollution masks may seem irrationally anxious, but sheet masks are actually huge in K-beauty, especially on flights.
Portugal
The purpose of a suit is the very thing that defines it: limited. You can't go wrong in one unless you are trying to. It is thoughts like this that spring to mind when you consider Cristiano Ronaldo arriving not for court, as the attire would suggest, but in Russia, in the Portuguese three-piece suit, aviators and … a double-breasted, lapelled waistcoat? The humanity!
Mexico
Sure, in their T-shirts and blazers they seem ready to sell you a flat, or as if they have ordered a litre of Grey Goose in a roped-off area at Bunga Bunga even though they are only drinking Lucozade. In spite of this, they are one of very good garmented squads- faint praise given that they aren't wearing socks.
Iceland
Here we have a suit jacket that plays on the various colourings of an Icelandic snowdrift reflecting the sky, paired with trousers the shade of black ice on Iceland's Route 1. Combined, a nice patriotic touch. To paraphrase Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, blue is the only colour that can ever compete with black. It's all very well laughing at the man buns, but best not counting our chickens yet after last time.
Iran
US sanctions mean some companies have suspended activities in Iran- Nike announced it would no longer supply football boots to the Iranian team. That doesn't explain the lack of ties- banned since 1979 for symbolising western decadence- or the twice- unbuttoned white shirt, which is something else entirely.
Nigeria
The real reason we're here: Nigeria. The team arrived in white suits similar in style to that worn in the south of the country, and featuring the green and white floral motif of the Super Eagles. The white hats? Pure Borsalino. The backless white loafers? Inspired by Gucci. Hope to God no one spilled a tomato juice down theirs during turbulence.
Read more: www.theguardian.com
