The Story of River Plate’s Kits
River Plate’s shirt is one of the most recognisable designs in football — a crisp white base crossed by a bold red sash running from the left shoulder to the right hip. Adopted in 1932, the diagonal sash was inspired by English teams of the time and has since become a timeless symbol of identity and success.
Before then, River wore plain white or red-and-white striped shirts, but the sash transformed their visual identity forever. Today, the design represents the essence of Argentine football — stylish, technical, and fiercely proud.
Kit Evolution and Brand Heritage
River Plate’s kit history mirrors their rise to global prominence. In the early decades, shirts were simple cotton designs stitched by local suppliers. As football became professional, major brands took over production, refining the sash into a sleek modern motif.
Adidas has been River Plate’s long-time partner since the early 1980s, creating a near-unbroken collaboration that’s now one of the longest in world football. Over the years, the brand has re-interpreted the sash through minimalist trims, gradient fades, and bold collar details — while staying faithful to the original concept.
Away kits have varied widely — black, red, grey, and even purple — but the white shirt with the red sash remains the club’s unmistakable symbol on every continent.
Famous River Plate Shirts
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1986 Home Shirt – worn when River won their first Copa Libertadores and lifted the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo.
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1996 Home Shirt – part of the double triumph in the Copa Libertadores and Supercopa Sudamericana under Ramón Díaz, featuring the iconic Sanyo sponsor.
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2015 Home Shirt – worn as River conquered South America again in the Copa Libertadores and triumphed in the Copa Sudamericana.
2018 Home Shirt – remembered for the dramatic Copa Libertadores victory over Boca Juniors in Madrid, cementing modern River legend.
Little-Known Facts About River Plate Kits
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The red sash origin: River’s players are said to have added red ribbon diagonally across their plain white shirts before a local carnival in 1932 — a spontaneous idea that became permanent.
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“Los Millonarios” nickname: The early striped kits used imported fabrics, seen as a luxury at the time — hence the nickname “The Millionaires.”
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Colour symbolism: The red represents passion and sacrifice; the white, purity and integrity — values that define River’s identity.
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Adidas exclusivity: River were among Adidas’s first South American clubs and were used as a test model for performance fabrics before World Cup tournaments.
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Collector’s rarity: The 1981 away shirt with “Hitachi” sponsorship is one of the most valuable Argentine shirts ever sold at auction.
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Anniversary details: Many modern kits hide subtle nods to the club’s founding year, 1901, embroidered inside the collar or printed along the sash.
Superclásico tribute: In 2019, River wore a limited black kit with a red sash edged in silver to mark their 400th meeting with Boca Juniors.
Our Range and Personalisation Options
At UK Soccer Shop, you’ll find the complete River Plate collection — home, away, and third shirts, plus training wear and retro classics. Every jersey is 100% authentic, featuring the official crest, manufacturer logo, and sponsor detailing.
Personalisation is available across most shirts, allowing you to add your name or that of River legends like Enzo Francescoli, Ariel Ortega, or modern stars such as Julián Álvarez.
You can also explore our wider range of South American football shirts, including Boca Juniors, Flamengo, and Palmeiras, to complete your continental collection.
Why River Plate Shirts Stand Out
River Plate’s shirt is more than a football kit — it’s a global design icon. The red sash represents over a century of excellence, elegance, and emotional connection. Whether you’re buying the latest release or a retro classic, owning a River Plate shirt means wearing one of football’s purest symbols of identity and pride.