The World Cup is over. But for true-blue, dipped-in-Guinness football (soccer) fans, the real fun is about to begin this weekend. That’s when the Premier League, the most popular professional club soccer league in the world, kicks off its 2018-19 season. As a bit of a football nut, my reaction is summed up thus:

Played in England (Welsh clubs can compete too), the Premier League is home to teams even the most adamant anti-soccer haters in the U.S. have probably heard of, including Manchester United and Manchester City.

As we see it at Counselor, the commencement of Prem 2018-19 holds significance for promotional products distributors. The new season provides a chance to see the latest top-level jerseys in action – jerseys that feature fashion-forward style and performance elements that could soon be sought after features in North America’s imprinted athleticwear market. Here are a few trends we spotted among this year’s crop of Prem jerseys.

Trend One: Button-Up Collars Are Cool

Some poo-poo collars on kit tops. Boo to them, I say. The button-up collar adds a stylish, almost gentlemanly touch that is flattering to the wearer – be he professional athlete or pint-slugging supporter. Clearly, uniform designers for Prem teams like Everton (Umbro), Liverpool (New Balance), Arsenal (Puma) and Burnley (Puma) felt similarly.

I think the new #Everton @Everton home kit is the most beautiful amongst the #PremierLeague teams, isn't it? pic.twitter.com/5zuyPKL29R

— Norbert István Koi (@norbertistkoi) August 5, 2018

Wayne Rooney, the player pictured here, departed Everton over the summer, but not before he got to model this sweet new jersey. We suspect he’ll miss it. Especially the button collar. Find it in Everton’s online store.

Liverpool’s home kits, with nifty button collar. Find it in Liverpool’s online store.

Admittedly, this is Arsenal’s third top, rather than their go-to home or away jersey. Still, we can expect it to make an appearance or two. Find it in Arsenal’s online store.

Lancashire-based club Burnley will look slick in their black, collared away kits. Check out Burnley’s online store.

Trend Two: Lines & Gradients

Another trend we noticed was the use of lines and color gradients to add visual dimension and appeal. Note: We’re not talking about big stripes; overt, thicker horizontal or vertical stripes are standard on a lot of kits. Rather, we’re talking more about flourishes of lines and shadings in gradients. The tops below give an idea of what we mean.

Tonal white lines grade into dark blues as they wind down the home jersey (by Nike) for North London-based team Tottenham Hotspur. Check out Spurs’ shop.

Lines and gradients play out on the sleeves and shorts of this Tottenham uniform.

Nike made cool use of accenting lines to embellish the blue home jerseys worn by London club Chelsea. Find it in Chelsea’s online store.

Adidas got in on the line play with Manchester United’s home tops. Note the black lines circling the bottom of the jersey in particular. Here’s Man United’s online shop.

The gradients of green make London-based Watford’s away top one of our favorite new jerseys. Watford’s online store.

Trend Three: Enhanced Performance Features

The big name brands in athletic wear keep improving the comfort-bringing, performance-enhancing elements of their shirts. The fact is evident in 2018-19 Premier League jerseys, billed as having the most advanced moisture wicking abilities to date. Depending on the jersey, complementing features can include ventilated mesh panels, ergonomically-placed side panels, super lightweight material, and more.

Nike’s VaporKnit technology powers Manchester City’s new home jersey. The technology centers on quick-drying, high-stretch yarn designed to combat cling and moisture weigh. The jersey also has an open-knit structure in key areas to increase airflow. Visit the Manchester City store.

Trend Four: Super Geometric Designs

Admittedly, this trend doesn’t seem to be as hot as some of the others. Still, we thought it worth noting. The below third jersey for Liverpool best exemplifies the Cubist-looking geometric patterning to which we’re alluding.

Geometric patterning on Liverpool’s third jersey. The style is retro-inspired, harkening to a Liverpool jersey from nearly 30 years ago.

Trend…Sort of: Super Wolves

Okay, this isn’t a trend per se. We just thought the huge “W” on Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new jersey makes the players look like superheroes we haven’t heard of. That’s awesome. Do note, however, that geometric elements are at play in the “W.” And, in the away jersey seen here, there is the tonal line work – a definite trend running through Prem team jerseys:

See more Wolves gear here.

Head here to see all the kits.