At first glance, it feels calm. Almost too calm.
And that’s exactly why this works.
AFC Toronto have gone in a completely different direction with their alternate kit, stepping away from the bold energy of their home and into something far more measured. But don’t mistake that for safe. There’s a lot going on here.
Working with Toronto-based textile artist Candice Kaye, this isn’t just a kit. It’s a concept.
The pattern is where it all starts. A painted, almost floating design that rises from the base upwards. It’s subtle, but it carries intent. It speaks to progression, to movement, to a club that very clearly sees itself going one way. Up.
But it’s not just about direction.
There’s a flow to it. The shapes don’t sit still. They swirl, overlap, and move in a way that mirrors the football itself. Momentum, rhythm, cohesion. Everything connects. Players, style, identity. It all feeds into the same idea.
Then come the colours.
A sky blue base sets the tone, clean and open, while that deeper red, almost maroon shade cuts through with purpose. It links back to the home kit, grounding the design, but also adds contrast that stops it drifting too far into softness. The fades between the two only add to the artistic feel.
That calm feel at first glance is deliberate. The kit isn’t built to grab you instantly. It’s built to unfold. The rising pattern, the movement in the shapes, the balance in the colours all point in one direction… up!
Just when you think it might settle, the pattern continues onto the sleeves. A small detail, but an important one. It keeps the story going.
Here’s the question…
In a season full of loud, statement kits, does something like this get overlooked?
This isn’t shouting for attention, it’s asking you to look twice.
When you do, it might just be one of the most considered designs out there.
It’s a kit. It’s a piece of art. It’s a message.
And, it’s one that’s growing on us the more we look at it.
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