Ranked: Borussia Dortmund’s all-time classic kits – Blackout or Continentale era?
(Featured Image: Classic Football Shirts)
German giants Borussia Dortmund have become world-renowned for their unique yellow and black strip.
The club’s main nickname ‘die Schwarzgelben’ translates to ‘Black and Yellows’ in English.
However, for the first four years of its existence, BVB played in blue and white striped shirts, adorned with a red sash.
But since 1913 the club have donned the famous black and yellow stripes, which have become so iconic throughout the years.
From Adi Preißler to Michael Zorc and Marco Reus, a plethora of footballing superstars have called Signal Iduna Park home.
The likes of Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jürgen Klopp have built dynasties at Dortmund.
Meanwhile the passion in the famous Yellow Wall in the stadium’s ‘Südtribune’ (south stand) and the club’s remarkable track record of unearthing world class players from humble beginnings make it one of the most likeable for neutrals.
All of this has been done in style; not only in those factors, but it’s been done in some spectacular pieces of kit.
From the ‘die Continentale’ to ‘Evonik’ sponsorship eras, the likes of Adidas, Puma, Nike and Kappa have made the players of this club look great.
But which kits have been Borussia Dortmund’s best of all-time?
With the 2023-24 kit set for release, here we take a look at our top 10:
10. 1997-98 Away
Borussia Dortmund '97-98 away by Nike
Shop classic Dortmund here – https://t.co/hOOXvgve0E#BVBFCB pic.twitter.com/1oaDvf7k4e
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) November 10, 2018
Starting off this ranking is a kit that, for me, deserves more appreciation. Although most kits worn by ‘die Borussen’ are vibrant, this grey number was very simple but effective.
It retained the club’s black and yellow identity in its trimmings and text, standing out nicely upon the grey body.
This kit was worn by BVB in the season following their first, and to date only, UEFA Champions League triumph under Ottmar Hitzfeld, who became sporting director.
9. 2011-12 Home
A more modern entry, this Kappa classic was the garment of a truly incredible team, which won a second consecutive Bundesliga title and a DFB-Pokal, forming the club’s first ever league-cup double under Jürgen Klopp.
In this kit, which was a successful twist on the black and yellow tradition, the likes of Mario Götze, Shinji Kagawa and Ivan Perisic starred.
8. 1996-97 Away
Every football club has an iconic era when it comes to shirt sponsors. Manchester United have their Sharp era, City have their Brother era, Arsenal and O2, Chelsea and Samsung, Real Madrid and Siemens, the list goes on.
For Dortmund, their era came when the club’s kits were sponsored by ‘die Continentale’ – a Dortmund-based insurance company.
Our first entry belonging to this era comes in the form of a classic black away kit. That 90s collar and the home design sleeves make this a stunner.
7. 1988-89 Home
Coming in seventh is the oldest kit on the list. The first Adidas entry, this kit is a classic Adidas design, with the perfect black trimmings contrasting with the yellow and the intricate design across the front, with a perfect sponsor too.
This beauty was worn when the Black and Yellows won their second DFB-Pokal title against Werder Bremen in West Berlin.
Michael Zorc was one of several club greats to don this strip, along with the legendary Andreas Möller, and the likes of Michael Rummenigge and Murdo MacLeod.
6. 1996-97 Home (Special)
Just two places away from that season’s away kit, this home shirt is almost an inverted version of that kit.
Collar. Sponsor. Perfect black to yellow ratio. Nike really smashed this one.
Two great kits to fit a historic season. The likes of Steffen Freund, Stéphane Chapuisat and Lars Ricken were among the Yellow Wall’s heroes to wear this design.
5. 1995-96 Home
Dortmund 1995-96 home by Nike
See the full Dortmund range here – https://t.co/XUcxmI87FJ pic.twitter.com/mGPRIN8RIG
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) July 19, 2019
Kicking off the top five, we have the home kit from the season prior. For similar reasons to the other Nike/Continentale classics, this kit just hits the spot.
The sleeves and collar here are a great change from the norm.
This number saw BVB icon Matthias Sammer win European Footballer of the Year, after helping Hitzfeld’s side to a Supercup and a second successive Bundesliga title.
4. 2012-13 Home (European)
Back to the modern era now and this classic came in following the aforementioned league titles under Klopp. With those in the cabinet, the German targeted success in Europe.
Puma delivered a kit to match the ambition. Two stars above the badge, iconic Evonik sponsor, perfect stripes and collar, this mirrored the footballing situation, as this was the peak of that team.
An XI of humble superstars donned this strip, making it synonymous with their run to the Champions League final, where they lost out to Bayern.
But what a team. What a kit.
3. 2019-20 110th Anniversary / 2022-23 Special Edition
Dortmund's new blackout kit is special ⚫ pic.twitter.com/r1GR1RhHb4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2023
Taking the bronze medal are two of the most popular Dortmund kits. These come together as both are blackout kits – the first celebrating 110 years of the club and the second being released just earlier this year.
This one needs no explanation – simply so clean. From Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi to the in-form Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi, there’s certainly been some cold ballers to match.
2. 2008-09 Home
Subtle pinstripes and clean trimmings make this Nike and Evonik classic claim the next position on the podium.
This beauty was worn during Klopp’s first season as BVB manager, in which Mats Hummels, Nuri Sahin and Marcel Schmelzer made their breakthroughs.
1. 1995-96 Away
https://twitter.com/HomeOfFtblKits/status/1627368057961123840?s=20
In first place of this Borussia Dortmund kit ranking is another Nike and Continentale stunner.
White and luminous yellow stand out on the trademark black away kit, with a stunning collar forming a cult classic. Back-to-back league titles under Hitzfeld? That’s worthy of this kit.
The club even released a modern take of this kit back in 2020.
It appears quite clear that black and yellow can make some very nice football kits!
