Some football kits tell a story. Others throw a party.
El Paso Locomotive have done a bit of both with a release inspired by Papel Picado, the traditional Mexican folk art seen decorating streets, plazas and celebrations throughout the year. Whether it’s weddings, fiestas, Día de Muertos or community festivals, these intricate paper banners have long been part of the visual fabric of Mexican culture.
Now they have become part of a football shirt too.
The kit embraces everything that makes Papel Picado so recognisable. Bright colours flow throughout the design while the intricate cut-out patterns bring texture and detail from top to bottom. It is vibrant, energetic and completely unapologetic about standing out.
The clever part lies within the details. Rather than simply recreating traditional Papel Picado artwork, El Paso have woven elements of the city’s own identity into the design. Familiar local symbols sit alongside more traditional motifs, allowing the shirt to celebrate both the cultural roots of the art form and the community it represents today.
That balance is what elevates the kit beyond simply being colourful. There is genuine thought behind it. Every shape feels like part of the celebration rather than decoration for decoration’s sake.
Most importantly, it looks like fun. Football kits can sometimes take themselves a little too seriously and there is something refreshing about a design willing to embrace joy, colour and tradition all at once.
A shirt that feels every bit as lively as the celebrations that inspired it.
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