The Making of the OldNovo RG Jersey: RGS Stripes, Re-Engineered
From “I don’t want to play” to building my own jersey
My parents love to remind me I didn’t want to play rugby. I was seven, new to a private school, and came home in tears after compulsory games. I wasn’t born into a rugby family and I wasn’t “destined” for the sport. But that early push sent me down the path to exactly where I am now.
The OldNovo RG jersey is a love letter to my school colours and to the game I still carry around with me.
I joined The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle which is 500 years old this year, and in 2027 rugby at RGS will celebrate 150 years of Rugby. The 1st XV wore black, red and white stripes in my time. I wanted to honour that, not copy it.
So we shifted white to cream for a lived in, heritage feel, and moved from a bright team red to a richer crimson to lift it out of replica territory. This is an everyday jersey with roots in the touchline, not a costume.
Balancing the old and the new
Most fashion versions of a rugby shirt go with a white collar and call it a day. We flipped that with a black collar and placket. Small decision, cleaner, more modern, still respectful.
Here’s the nerdy bit I love: we built a size specific knit map so the red stripe lands in the same place across sizes. That engineered approach makes every size look intentional. Our maker also ensured the stripes meet cleanly at the side seams, an easy miss, but it matters.
We used a yarn dyed knit, meaning the colour is in the yarn and the pattern is knitted in, not printed, not cut and sewn panels. It costs more and takes longer, but it wears better for longer. A 330gsm (10oz), cotton polyester blend keeps the hand feel soft while helping the colours stay true and the fabric hold its shape through real life, school run, to and from the gym, and the pub.
The mark of the brand.
A clean embroidered OldNovo script now sits proudly on the chest. I was genuinely torn about logos, brands can make clothes less wearable. Uniqlo’s near invisible branding is a big reason I wear it. After chatting with a small circle of “insiders” who are mates advising me as I build OldNovo, I went with a subtle embroidery, done locally in the UK. It delayed launch by a couple of weeks and was absolutely the right call.
Why Jim’s Jerseys
I worked with Jim’s Jerseys to manufacture these jerseys . I like Harry’s story, have a look at their site, and they offer low minimums with great colour matching. They’ve been trusted by 500 plus clubs across the UK, which matters when you’re chasing a very particular crimson and cream. It let us make the jersey properly, not “close enough.”
Fit and care
We cut it long in the body. Like the old school shirts, it settles after a few washes into a tidy, athletic drape.
Care tip: cold wash, lay flat or hang dry. If you like it roomier, skip the tumble dryer. If you want it to tighten slightly, a gentle dry will coax it in.
Quick spec recap
Colours: Black, Crimson, Cream aged white, inspired by RGS
Neck: Black collar and placket, a deliberate twist on tradition
Construction: Yarn dyed knit, pattern knitted in, not printed
Fabric: Cotton polyester blend for colour fastness and durability
Stripe layout: Size specific knit pattern for consistent red stripe placement
Branding: Embroidered OldNovo chest script
Fit: Longer body, expect light natural shrink after a few washes