The Northwestern football program has introduced its revamped uniforms, showcasing a blend of tradition and modern design. These new Northwestern Football Uniforms not only reposition their iconic striping pattern but also serve as a tribute to the rich history of the program.
“In 1928 we put what came to be known as ‘Northwestern Stripes’ on the sleeves. This season, we put them back where they belong,” Northwestern Football announced on Twitter, highlighting the historical significance of the design update.
The ‘Northwestern Stripes’ have been a recurring element in the Wildcats’ football uniforms since their inception in 1928. Over the years, these stripes have appeared in various locations, most recently and prominently on the front and back of the jerseys for the past decade. These prior uniforms, launched in 2012, drew inspiration from the 1909 Wildcats’ look and initially included striped elbow-length base layers, which were later discontinued, resulting in a plain-sleeved jersey design.
The latest iteration of the Northwestern football uniforms retains several familiar features from the 2012 design. The wordmark across the chest, the font used for player numbers, and the primary logo placement on the hip all remain consistent. The most significant alteration is the relocation of the Northwestern Stripes from the body of the jersey to the sleeves, marking a return to a more classic aesthetic.
The 2022 uniform set comprises three distinct jerseys: a purple home jersey, a white road jersey, and a black alternate jersey. Complementing these are stripeless pants and helmets, each available in multiple colors and designed for interchangeable use. Players can also customize their look with black or white facemasks, offering further versatility.
Close-up of the Northwestern Wildcats 2022 purple home football jersey, showcasing the Northwestern Stripes on the sleeves.
Detailed view of the white Northwestern Wildcats road football jersey, highlighting the sleeve stripes and number font.
Image of the black alternate Northwestern Wildcats football jersey, featuring a unique stripe design and white outlined numbers.
Full set of the Northwestern Wildcats new football uniforms for 2022, including home, away, and alternate jerseys with matching helmets and pants.
The purple home and white road jerseys feature single-color contrasting stripes on the sleeves. This design element is specifically inspired by Northwestern uniforms worn in two distinct historical periods: 1928-56 and 1976-77. Mirroring this single-color stripe detail, these jerseys also employ single-color numbers, maintaining a cohesive and classic look.
In contrast, the black alternate jersey presents a bolder stripe design. It incorporates a thick purple stripe flanked by two white stripes. This pattern directly references the Northwestern uniforms from the 1992-96 era, adding another layer of historical homage to the new set. The black alternate jersey is completed with white numbers outlined in purple, providing visual distinction from the home and road versions.
Fans eager to see these new Northwestern football uniforms in action won’t have to wait long. The Wildcats are set to debut their updated look when they travel to Dublin, Ireland, to compete against Nebraska in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 27. The game is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff and will be broadcast on FOX, offering a prime opportunity for audiences to witness the Wildcats in their fresh game day attire.
Action shot of a Northwestern Wildcats football helmet, showcasing the team logo and design details.
Image of the Northwestern Wildcats purple home football pants, showing the stripeless design and team colors.
Close-up of the Northwestern Wildcats white football helmet, detailing the facemask and helmet stripe.
Photos courtesy of @NUFBFamily on Twitter.
