It simply could not be ignored back in the day and three decades on it is back, as eye-catching as ever, and expanded into a full Nike leisurewear collection on sale today.
The Chelsea away kit of 1994 to 1996 broke the mould. Designed not to clash with any other team, as many of its predecessors had, it unapologetically succeeded with its famously infamous tangerine and graphite colourway.
In a flash, the letters pages of club publications were full of fans venting their opinion and no round-up of Chelsea past kits can fail to mention the tangerine dream/nightmare (depending on your point of view).
As divisive as it was at the time, the ’94-’96 shirt has steadily achieved cult status, with Chelsea’s fearless spirit in wearing it chiming with those who embrace that attitude today.
Risk. Rebellion. Reinvention.
In a celebration of that disruptive mentality, the Return of the Rebel range centres on a redesign of that shirt – reimagined into a pre-match top that will make its competitive debut on our players before this weekend’s Premier League hosting of West Ham and the Women's FA Cup match against Manchester United next month.
The unashamedly Nineties hues and patterns are prominent on the t-shirts, tops, jacket and track pants that make up the rest of the collection.
The club badge from the day features throughout with the tones turned darkest for the cold-weather jacket and the matching crest t-shirt.
The range of greys in the original are given free rein in two designs of sweatshirt and track suit, and there are three t-shirts to choose from – with ‘90s Chelsea lettering and crests boosting the variety. Items are available in men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes.
Great nights, great players in orange and grey
The strip that inspired these items reached prominence on an evening the crowd noise almost ripped the roof off Stamford Bridge during a 1995 comeback win. That was during a return to European competition after more than 20 years away, as the Blues thrillingly progressed past Bruges to a semi-final.
It was also the kit in which Ruud Gullit, who always looked good in orange, made his Chelsea pre-season bow. A striking image in a momentous chapter in our history.
Modelling the Return of the Rebel range here and bringing us up to date are Estevao Willian, Trevoh Chalobah, Liam Delap and Brooke Aspin, plus Dennis Wise, back wearing his old badge having captained Chelsea in tangerine and graphite when those colours first saw the light of day.
From a kit it was impossible not to have an opinion on to this new, must-have leisure range of today. Shop for Return of the Rebel clothing at the Megastore at Stamford Bridge or in our online store now and view more in the gallery below.