'We’re creating our own story'

Smart and strong, classy and clean – just a sample of the language used by the Lionesses to describe the new England women’s kit, unveiled earlier today in collaboration with Nike.

Sarina Wiegman’s team will don the new strip for the first time in their upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League clash against Portugal at Wembley Stadium later this month.

And Lionesses midfielder Grace Clinton offered her verdict on England’s new home kit.

“It’s lovely and it’s sleek,” said Clinton. “I think England kits are always very sleek. I really like it. I like that they’ve gone with a different style with the colours at the top. It’s nice to change to things up and try different things.

“I really like the away kit too. I think it’s something different that England have never done. I think it’s really cool. I like the colour.

“Hopefully I get to play in it and wear it out on the pitch because I think it’ll be a really amazing feeling.”

As a connoisseur of both fashion and football, England’s new all-black away strip is a hit with Lauren James, who, like her team-mates, is looking forward to pulling on the shirt which signals the beginning of a new chapter.

“I just think it’s a clean look – black top, black shorts, black socks,” added James. “I think the home one is always classic with the home England colours.

“I’m quite big into fashion. I’d wear a shirt underneath then the match shirt on top, throw it on with a pair of cargos or jeans and you’re good to go! But I think everyone’s style is different so it’s whatever they feel comfortable wearing.

For those that led the way and for those ready to take to the stage. 💫

This is us, this is England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/wgWL7U4ksa

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 13, 2025

“Sometimes when you get new kits, it feels like a fresh start so it’s always a nice feeling because new kit, it’s like a new me again. It’ll be nice to wear something new.”

The new kit – which is bespoke to the England women’s teams – will be worn by the Lionesses, the Young Lionesses and the Para Lionesses.

Notably, the strip will be worn at this year’s EUROs which take place in July with the Lionesses challenging to lift the trophy for a second time after winning the tournament on home soil in 2022.

“It’s really important going into a tournament because we want to make history and we want to do big things so to have a kit that you’re going to be the first ones to wear it and it’s going to be your kit, it’s really important for the growth of the women’s game,” explained Clinton.

“I remember seeing someone wearing an England kit for the first time with my name on in one of the crowds. Because there’s so many amazing people I’m playing with, you don’t think they’re going to be wearing your kit but when you see that, it feels really special.”

And, with an exciting summer ahead for the Lionesses who prepare to head out to Switzerland, the feeling of walking into the changing room and seeing your name on the back of an England shirt is one that never loses its magic, Niamh Charles reiterated.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said Charles. “It just makes me think of when I was a kid and I had the full England kit with the socks included! I have a picture of me and I look about four years old I couldn’t look prouder in it.

“Now, to be pulling that on as your actual kit is pretty surreal. To actually wear the shirt and represent it, you realise how fortunate we are to be in this position.

“We have our own history, our own identity and we’re creating our own story with it. Each time it comes out, to see there’s hopefully more girls than the last time buying the kit and wearing it, it’s really special.”

The kit will be available to order from Thursday 29 May, in time for this summer’s action.