Nike unveils its outfits with shorts designed for the menstrual cycle

Nike buries its white shorts. The American equipment manufacturer unveiled, Monday, April 3, the outfits of twelve selections for the next Women’s Football World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand this summer. And for each of the teams concerned, the comma brand has chosen to favor leaving light tones aside and favoring dark colors for the shorts.

A decision that follows numerous testimonies from players about stress and discomfort during the menstrual cycle. During the Euro in the summer of 2022, the English had opened the debate and called on their equipment supplier, Nike, to think about another color of outfit. They had been supported by the captain of the Blue, Wendie Renard: “It’s a good thing (to ask for the color change) so I congratulate the English for that. Si tomorrow they (Nikes) can do the same for us that would be cool”, she said at a press conference.

Shorts with protectors

The requests have therefore been heard, since from now on, the English Lionesses will wear dark blue (home) or light (outside) shorts. Same treatment for the France team, which also inherits blue shorts. “We have made a conscious effort for all teams to switch to dark colors for the shorts, even when it visually clashes with the shirt”explained to Daily Telegraph Lee Murphy, Football Design Director at Nike. These shorts will also be shaped for menstrual cycles, with ultra-thin, absorbent padding to protect against leaks, the British newspaper reveals.

In October 2022, the Manchester City club had already taken the decision, in agreement with the equipment supplier Puma, to ban white shorts after a request from the players. They now evolve with black or dark stockings.