Youth sizing, in plain terms
Youth football shirts are sold by age band rather than chest measurement, and they run slim. When a child sits between two bands, the larger one is almost always the better buy, because a shirt gets worn over a layer for half the year. Vintage boys sizing follows the same logic but runs smaller still: an XL Boys from the nineties usually covers roughly 13 to 16 years.
The rule about printing
A printed name and number usually cannot be returned. On an adult shirt that is a minor risk. On a child’s shirt, where a size lasts a season and a favourite player can move club in a single summer, it is the main reason parents end up with something unwearable. A blank shirt keeps its resale value and can be printed later at most club stores.
Where the affordable shirts are
New youth kits from the big brands sit between 80 and 100 dollars, and three piece sets for the youngest ages around 85. The second hand archive is where the value is: graded originals in boys sizes start in the teens and rarely pass 70 dollars unless the shirt is genuinely rare. For a child who will outgrow it, that is the sensible end of the market.
Which shirt, practically
Three things decide it. The club the child actually watches, which is usually the one on television in their timezone. The colour, because a bright shirt gets worn and a subtle one does not. And whether you are buying something to play in or something to keep, because those are different purchases and only one of them should be printed.
| What | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|
| New youth kit | Major brands | 80 to 100 USD |
| Three piece set, youngest ages | Shirt, shorts, socks | Around 85 USD |
| Graded original, boys size | Second hand | From about 15 USD |
| Printed shirt | Usually non returnable | Add 30 to 40 USD |
Frequently asked questions
What size soccer jersey should I buy for a child?
Youth kits are sized by age band, not chest measurement, and they run slim. If a child is between two bands, take the larger one, because the shirt is worn over a layer for much of the year.
Should I get the name printed?
Only if you are sure. Printed shirts usually cannot be returned, and on a child’s shirt both the size and the favourite player can change within a season. A blank shirt also keeps more resale value.
How much is a kids soccer jersey?
New youth kits from the major brands run 80 to 100 dollars, and three piece sets for the youngest ages around 85. Graded second hand originals in boys sizes start in the teens.
Are vintage shirts available in kids sizes?
Yes, in large numbers. The second hand market carries thousands of shirts in boys sizing across every era, usually cheaper than a new youth kit.