Ajax’s visual identity is built around one of the most recognisable templates in European football: a white shirt defined by a bold central red panel. While sponsor placement, collar construction and manufacturer styling have evolved across decades, the vertical stripe has remained the club’s defining mark.
This collection brings together original vintage Ajax shirts and classic home and away kits that illustrate how the red-and-white template has been adapted across different periods at the Johan Cruyff Arena and its earlier era.
Ajax shirts are often tied to footballing philosophy as much as design. Earlier templates emphasised clean proportion and minimal interruption to the central red band, reinforcing the club’s structured aesthetic.
During the 1990s, Umbro designs paired with bold sponsor alignment created some of the most sought-after vintage Ajax shirts. These designs remain highly regarded among collectors for their strong stripe balance and distinctive collar detailing.
Later interpretations refined fit and material technology, yet the red vertical panel continued to anchor the club’s visual identity. Even away kits - frequently incorporating navy or darker tones - maintained a clear link to Ajax’s traditional palette.
Certain Ajax shirts are remembered through the technically refined teams that wore them. Designs from the mid-1990s are closely associated with European success, while earlier templates connect with the club’s structured, possession-led identity.
Players such as Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert have become tied to specific sponsor eras and shirt constructions. In many cases, the width of the red panel or the placement of the crest is enough to identify a particular period.
This range reflects how Ajax’s identity has remained visually consistent even as generations of players have redefined the club on the pitch.
Every Ajax shirt featured here is an original release produced during its respective era. Sponsor positioning, crest application and fabric composition remain true to their initial manufacturing standards.
From early Umbro constructions to later adidas editions, each piece retains the detailing and structure specific to its production cycle. Selected for authenticity and condition, these kits preserve the integrity of Ajax’s iconic red-and-white design as it first appeared on the pitch.
