A look at some of Arizona’s best uniforms

By Ryan Kelapire@RKelapire May 2, 2020, 1:00pm PDT

It’s Jersey Week here at SB Nation so we will be doing a two-part series to reflect on some of the best—and worst—uniforms the Arizona Wildcats have worn over the years.

We’ve already written about the bad ones, so now it’s time to take a look at the times the designers got it right.

Arizona football’s throwbacks

Absolutely gorgeous and the only iconic look Arizona football has ever had. These should be the primary uniforms forever.

The Mike Stoops era “bib” uniforms

NCAA Football - California vs Arizona - November 11, 2006

The “bib” that ran along the lower back was unnecessary and will be the reason people wonder why these uniforms are on this list. But otherwise they were solid, especially the combos I showed above. It helped that they are associated with a pretty good era of Arizona football, when the program started to climb out of the abyss known as the John Mackovic era.

The Nick Foles era modernized throwbacks

These were good too. A different colored facemask could help. The side stripes should go all the way up the pants.

The 1980s basketball uniforms

Simple but sustainable. A real classic.

The 1990s and early 2000s Arizona basketball uniforms

Arizona Wildcats v Illinois Fighting Illini

The blues are my favorite but all three colors are wonderful and uniquely Arizona. The Wildcats won their national championship in these, so there’s an easy argument to make them permanent.

The modernized version is good too

These were nicely done. That they were replaced by those hideous gradient uniforms after only two seasons (2014-16) is a travesty.

Not all the new football uniforms are bad

Arizona has missed the mark for years now with those gradient football uniforms, but it was toned down in the most recent update and the concept is not even a part of the white uniforms. That plus the red face mask makes these pretty awesome. It really accentuates the rest of the uniform.

These are slick too:

I could live without the red Block A, but it’s not a deal breaker.

Arizona women’s basketball’s reds

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 24 Women’s Arizona State at Arizona

The blue and white versions of these are sharp too, but the reds looks great, especially when Arizona wears them at home in front of thousands of red-clad fans. The men’s team should take note.

Arizona softball’s reds

Aside from the charcoal grays, all of Arizona softball’s uniform combinations are beautiful but the reds are the most eye-catching. Everything, from the jersey to the belt to the stirrups, flows so nicely. The script lettering is classic.

Arizona baseball’s blues

COLLEGE BASEBALL: MAR 09 North Dakota State at Arizona

With or without the pinstripe pants, these are fantastic. There is good contrast and the white pants make the lettering and logos on the hat and jersey pop. The navy jerseys used to have white piping along the front but getting rid of it was the right move. If there is one gripe I have about these, it’s that the Block A on the hat is a little too small.