Football culture used to revolve around beer, boorishness and male-bonding. Not any longer.

The rise of women’s football has supercharged a latent sub-culture of design, fashion and memorabilia, inspired by female followers.

It’s time to forget your half-and-half scarf and try on a half-and-half dress!

LJMU fashion lecturer Jacqui McAssey is at the forefront of this emerging movement which is as much about creativity as it is concerned with sexually equality.

Its latest manifestation is a festival in Liverpool which mixes football, design, fashion, media and entertainment. The Get Your Kits Out Festival at The Florrie, on Saturday, 28th September highlights and celebrates the ‘new and rich culture surrounding modern football’.

For over a decade, Jacqui, has been concerned about the lack of visibility of female contributions to fandom and founded GIRLFANS, a network of creators and people vying for new space for female fans in the sport.

She says Get Your Kits Out is now about equity.  She said: “The festival provides a tangible space for women to sell their products, exhibit their football photography, have their voices heard or just to connect socially with like-minded people.

“We’re also celebrating what has happened since I published the first fanzine in 2013, how the culture and community surrounding women’s roles in football has evolved.

“Liverpool is a football powerhouse, with successful women’s and men’s football teams, plus a growing grassroots scene that I’m part off, so launching it here seemed a natural fit.” 

Festival Highlights

• Football-Fashion Market: Festival goers can browse a curated selection of up-cycled football fashion collections, including ‘Half-and-Half’ dresses, denim Battle Jackets, Football Manager tailored blazers, all made from damaged shirts provided by Football Shirts 101.
• Micro fashion brands: Frilly football shirts from Oolalaly, crocheted football jerseys by Sewlots, and made-to-order England hats by It’s Frazzles. Katie Oliver will be selling her ‘Get Back in the Kit’ tea towels, each one screen-printed by hand. 
• A Store Like 94, will be bringing their iconic Tour De Tat to Liverpool, with a car boot sale housing a mega-collection of rare memorabilia sourced at flea markets across Europe. It’s affordable and everything must go!
• Team Talks: Insightful discussions on the intersection of football and fashion by exploring viral trends like #Blokecore and the legacy of fashion told through Lionesses’ past and present. Speakers include Prof. Jean Williams, whose research uncovered the Lost Lionesses of the unofficial, 1971 World Cup. She also consulted on the recent Copa71 film. Writer Simi Iluyomade from Versus, sustainable fashion journalist, Sophie Benson from Dazed, Birkenhead-born journalist, Caoimhe O’Neil from The Athletic, and Ashlea Kemp of go-to soccer-style page, @wosowardrobe. Team Talks will be hosted by Holly Gilberston of Pacer, and Rachel Lee from The Digi Fairy. 

Workshops, music, and more

• Festival attendees can participate in both up-cycling and bracelet making workshops, while the Courtyard DJ Stage will feature performances from Liverpool DJ, Jade Edwards, Abbie Morris and Lucky Iris Band. The event will also include both indoor and outdoor bars, a food menu, and plenty of other opportunities to celebrate the creativity and community that define football culture. 
• Exhibition: Who Are Ya? Curated by Zoe Hitchen, Produced by Olivia Graham. A new exhibition revealing the work of both local and international female football photographers, offering unique perspectives on the sport and challenging traditional narratives. The works will be exhibited in multiple indoor venues, and in outdoor spaces on large digital screens, kindly provided by Open Media.
• Cuerpas Reales, Hinchas Reales (Real Bodies, Real Fans): Founded by Erica Voget, this acclaimed photo series will be exhibited for the first time in the UK, in The Atrium Gallery, John Lennon School of Art and Design. This collection depicts the raw, authentic experiences of female football supporters, documented by a network of 90 women photographers from across Ibero-America. The exhibition runs from 30.09.24-.11.10.24. This venue is open Monday-Friday only. 
• Francesca Scandella: Renowned for her film photography of FC Internazionale Milano fans at San Siro, Scandella’s emotive work will be exhibited at Ropes & Twines from 25.09.24-09.10.24. Check opening times at the venue. 
• Sarah Deboe, co-fouder of MINT Collective, and Imke Oppenkamp: This duo explores themes of ‘home’ through the lens of their beloved Everton FC and Liverpool FC. Their works will be curated at Sevenstore from 24.09.24-31.10.24. Check opening times at the venue.