First Look: The 2008 OSI/USSF Uniform
Note: When you click the (more) link to view the entire article, you'll want to increase, if not maximize, the screen to see both the text and pictures.I won't kid you about buying the jerseys so I can review them on the site - no, I bought them because I want to do Regionals again, I want to do semi-pro games again - I want to do good games. Before the first time I went to Regionals (and what a neat thing it is to say that), I was told by one of the assessors who was going with us, the equivalent of, "Good, you have Official Sports jerseys - that's what you're supposed to have"; he then went on to say that since Regionals is a USSF sponsored tournament, and OSI is a USSF sponsor, you should wear OSI gear.
I'm sure OSI loves to hear that, because even with holiday "specials" going on, you're going to shell out over $500 if you decide to refit your entire wardrobe .
This review won't go into the shorts - aside from the new logo, there's no change (you can see the original review here); it'll also pass on the socks, because I don't have them yet. Another thing this review won't cover is how well they work while actually reffing in them; partially this is because I haven't worn them (except for in front of a mirror), and partially because it looks like the same fabrics as the previous jerseys. That's probably my biggest disappointment; I would have gladly shelled out half-a-g if I wasn't going to be as uncomfortable during hot and muggy days, like kits from Adidas or Diadora, but that's not the case.
So what's left? The look and fit. Since the fit may be the only tangible positive to this review, let's go to the look, where I'll stay as neutral as possible.
A few days after MLS Cup, where the new jerseys were announced, the USSF said that both old and new jerseys could be worn on matches together. I don't know if this is a bone thrown out to all the people who were unhappy about purchasing new gear, or because third-party manufacturers (like Law 5 and Olympus) won't have time to update their lines before the start of many of the country's seasons, but clearly the two styles, while not a match, won't be awful looking, like some of the combinations you see at USA Cup. The big changes, of course, are the change in stripe patterns (nicknames to differentiate the new jersey from the pure pinstripe version on the right, such as "fatties" have already taken hold on SocRef), the number of them, and the stripes on the sleeves. Both shirts have 12 stripes, although in the new one, six are the thick variety, and six thin. 
One thing to notice are the stripes between the pockets: on the old jersey there are two, and on the new one, there are none. This really isn't a big deal aesthetically until you see the new black. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but when you put it on, the furthest stripes both left and right are really on your side, and it looks like you have instead a large black stripe going across your chest, where advertising would go if we were wearing a professional player's jersey. Perhaps the inclusion of a badge will lessen this, but since the predominant color of the badge is black (except for those few wearing white), I don't think it'll help much. Even though all five colors have the same design, it took the contrasts of the black jersey to see this rather odd configuration, and to my eyes (of what colors I've seen), only the black seems to suffer for it.Now to the fit. After showing these to my wife, who makes Renaissance Faire costumes, she pointed out one potential positive to the new jerseys: the sleeves. Now, if you ask her, she will tell you that fitted sleeves, like on the old jerseys, look better than raglan sleeves; but the problem is that, in the cookie cutter world that is uniforms, not everyone looks good in fitted sleeves, and I have to admit seeing a lot of jerseys with the sleeve well off the shoulder and past the armpit. The nice thing about raglan sleeves is that you don't have this problem, and for those of us who are not as broad-shouldered as OSI's models will see an improvement in fit.
Raglan sleeves are also much easier to make, it's just a simple straight cut of fabric to sew on, rather than on a curve. Except that OSI did something a bit odd to my wife's eyes. To the left is a good example of a typical raglan sleeve, with the seem going straight up the arm to the collar. Now look at OSI's 
which has an s-curve to it. One of the things she noticed (that I didn't) was they they seem to bunch around the armpit. A positive for the women, is that she thinks they may look better on women because of it. The most important thing I can say about these shirts is that unless you're in a similar boat as myself, do not feel obligated to buy these shirts. The USSF has yet to announce when the classic pinstripe jerseys will be retired, and even when they do, I'd give it at least a few years.
Product Summary:
USSF Stripe Pro Shirt
$46.95 - $47.95 depending on size, economy versions range from $24.95 to $25.95
Positives: A possible better fit for women and men with narrower shoulders. The new design does not clash with the old one (like the stripes did with the fuschia jerseys).
Negatives: No improvement in material, some questionable design choices, a full kit is obscenely expensive.
i have green, yellow, and black of the new kits. i agree with everything you say (especially about the stripes on the black)
i also noticed, on the black, the USSF logo is the same as the rest, as oppose to the white background like on the old kits. do you know why? and do you like it?
kyle - 16 December '07 - 20:23
Can you compare the size of the “fattie” jerseys to the “pinstripe,” particularly around the torso and to where the sleeves come on your arm? I ask because, if you remember, a few years ago when they switched to the “newer”(well, newer for OSI, because I stand behind your adidas/diadora comment emphatically) fabric they also tinkered with the sizes. The current larges, for example, fit me well, but the old large hung on me like a drape, and I’m no small guy…Damian - 17 December '07 - 12:01
Re: LogoYou’re right – I hadn’t noticed the shift back to the old way of doing the logo on the black jersey. Maybe because of the contract with the stripes on the sleeve? Who knows. Just don’t tell OSI or they’ll make another change. ;)
Re: jersey cut
I just did an unscientific hanging of two jerseys on top of each other, and it appears that both the old and new ones have the same length, cut around the chest, and sleeve length. The size of the exit hole in the sleeve seems slightly larger. Note that this was short-sleeve only, as I haven’t received a long-sleeve jersey.
TheRef - 17 December '07 - 21:29
I noticed in the photos that you have hangars on your jerseys. Do you store them in a closet during the off-season and/or the on-season? Have you noticed any wrinkling by storing them for months at a time in your bag? I’m a new ref, so I’d like to figure out how to store my jerseys properly, avoiding taking up closet space if possible.
Jim - 29 February '08 - 13:17
During the season they’ll always in my bag – I started putting them in one-gallon ziplocks to keep other stuff from getting on them (water from the weather, dirt or polish from my shoes, etc), and there’s never been a wrinkle problem. I do keep them hung up during the off-season – although now I’ve got so much stuff, I have a separate closet for all my referee gear.TheRef - 01 March '08 - 19:52
i also keep my jerseys hung up in the offseason, and then keep all of my stuff (socks, shorts, etc.) in a drawer. i also have a drawer for all of my “apparal” if you will.i just got a “pack it” folder from OSI, and i think i like it for my bag. It’s a tight squeeze getting 10 jerseys in there, but it works, and keeps it organized.
kyle - 06 March '08 - 09:30
Wow! replacing all of your gear! I referee and have 2 children that currently referee and 1 more on the pitch this summer. I have 2 blues and reds, 1 black, and 4 yellows. I only have yellow and black in long sleeve. What do you plan to do with your old stuff? Keep families like mine in mind. WE love hand me downs!!! I also pack my gear in gallon size freezer bags. I place 1/2 of a dryer sheet in the bag as well. This keeps them smelling fresh! We don’t have an off season, so my gear stays packed in my car at all times. You never know when you are going to show up for a game that is running short on officials!!Madam referee () - 10 March '08 - 22:46
I forgot to ask about the new socks. How is the material? I have 6 pairs and have noticed different types of fabric. Some are very tight fitting.madam referee () - 10 March '08 - 22:50
I plan on keeping my old uniforms around for this season, maybe next. I know I’ll have a few games where the new unis won’t be required, but will be heavily desired. So, I’ll keep both sets in my bag for the time being (but instead of bring both short and long sleeves in the middle of summer, I’ll bring both short sleeved jerseys). Next season will depend on how often I see the new jerseys around, and can justify having the overstuffed closet.Other than my initial try-on, I haven’t actually worn the new socks. Generally speaking, I love OSI socks: they wear well, they stay up, and they’re the most comfortable referee sock I’ve tried. I’m pretty certain I’ll wear them a few times at our State Cup, which is coming up shortly.
TheRef - 13 March '08 - 12:25
new socks are great! they are just as comfy, and the top being black makes it easier to match others.however, the design is quite questionable. while i’ve had no comments about them (who looks at the refs anyways!) it seems they may make our legs look heavy. who knows!
btw, green looks good on the pitch. no complaints at all! the MLS Cup was not a great example, haha.
kyle - 31 March '08 - 21:59
So I was watching the msl games last night and found the the U.S refs were not wearing the new uniforms, but the Adidas ones. Why???? Everyday I watch FCS and see that each league around the world uses their own ref uniform, why are we different and especially after new unvieling of the new style.tim - 13 April '08 - 12:08
MLS (like they did way back when, only with Umbro) has signed a contract with Adidas, and with that contract they want EVERYTHING on the field to have that adidas logo. Jerseys, balls, corner flags, heck even coaches gear.so, for the MLS, referees will wear adidas from now on, but all other US Soccer games (even hometown international matches) will wear USSF stuff.
kyle - 15 April '08 - 09:16