Red and black in the South Side? It sounds like a glitch in the Matrix. For a century, the Chicago White Sox have lived in the monochromatic world of black, white, and silver. But things just got weird—in a good way, depending on who you ask.
The White Sox new uniforms aren't just a tweak to the pinstripes. They are a full-blown "Bred" (black and red) takeover. If you walked into Guaranteed Rate Field today and saw someone in a jersey with "Chicago" across the chest in that unmistakable font, you might think you’d wandered into a Bulls game. Honestly, that’s exactly what the team was going for.
The Bulls Connection: More Than Just a Color Swap
This isn't your standard Nike cash-grab. Well, it is a business move, but it has actual roots. The 2025-2026 City Connect 2.0 jerseys are the first-ever official crossover between an MLB and NBA franchise. We aren't just talking about shared colors; we are talking about shared DNA.
Jon Shoemaker, the Bulls' executive director of creative services, actually sat in the room for this. The result is a jersey that uses the Bulls’ "Statement" uniform typography. You’ve seen that font on Michael Jordan. You’ve seen it on Derrick Rose. Now, you’re seeing it on a baseball diamond.
Why red and black?
Historically, the White Sox have flirted with red before. People forget the 1970s "leisure suit" era or the 1917 World Series wins. But this isn't a retro throwback. It's a "Chicago sports identity" play. Brooks Boyer, the Sox Chief Revenue Officer, basically said they wanted to top the original 2021 "Southside" jersey, which was a massive hit.
The new look features:
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- Red pinstripes on a black base (tribute to the Bulls).
- Black pinstripes on a red base (tribute to the Sox).
- The Winged Sock: A logo inspired by the 1950s White Sox era, but updated for the 2020s.
- Nine Championships: Look inside the neckline. You’ll see nine years listed. Three in white for the Sox (1906, 1917, 2005) and six in red for the Bulls (the 90s dynasty).
The Controversy of the "Southside" Legacy
Here is what most people get wrong. A lot of fans thought the 2021 "Southside" gothic-lettering jerseys were being killed off. Those jerseys were a vibe. They were everywhere in Chicago.
Good news: they aren't dead.
The MLB "4+1" rule is a bit of a headache for equipment managers. Basically, a team can have four regular uniforms plus one City Connect. The Sox decided to keep the original Southside jerseys as one of their four "regular" alternates. This opened up the City Connect slot for the new Bulls-inspired look.
So, the current rotation looks like this:
- Home White Pinstripes
- Road Grays
- Alternate Blacks
- The 2021 Gothic "Southside" (now a standard alternate)
- The 2025/2026 City Connect 2.0 (The Bulls Crossover)
Two Hats? In This Economy?
For the first time in the City Connect program, the White Sox are rocking two different official on-field caps. It’s a bit of an overkill, but they’re actually the best part of the kit.
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One cap is the "BRED" version: a black crown with a red visor and the winged sock logo. The other is the "City Pinstripe" version, which matches the jersey's pinstripe pattern. Both hats have four white stars on the eyelets—a direct nod to the Chicago city flag.
If you look inside the hat (if you're a nerd for details like me), you'll see the linings are different. One side shows the Sox pinstripes, and the other shows the Bulls' red and black. It's the kind of detail that makes these $50 hats actually feel like a collector's item.
Does It Actually Look Good on the Field?
It’s polarizing. Kinda like deep-dish pizza or the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Traditionalists hate it. They think baseball should stay black and white. But the younger crowd? They’re buying the hoodies in droves. When the team debuted these against the Houston Astros, the contrast on the grass was startling. The red is bright. It doesn't look like "baseball red" (think Cardinals or Phillies); it looks like "United Center red."
What fans are saying:
- The Pros: The "Chicago" wordmark is legendary. The winged sock logo is a massive upgrade over some of the older secondary logos.
- The Cons: Some say it looks like a Bulls fan lost a bet and had to wear a baseball jersey. Others think the red pinstripes are a bit "busy" on TV.
Honestly, the "Southside" branding is still there. If you look at the sleeves and the pant legs, the word "SOUTHSIDE" is etched into the stripes. It’s subtle, but it’s a nice bridge between the 1.0 and 2.0 versions.
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How to Get Your Hands on One
If you're looking to grab one of these, don't just search for "White Sox new uniforms" and click the first shady link. Fanatics and the MLB Shop are the official spots, but the White Sox Team Store at the ballpark usually gets the exclusive "Elite" versions first.
Prices aren't getting any cheaper. You’re looking at:
- Replica Jerseys: Roughly $135 - $155.
- Authentic (Elite) Jerseys: Upwards of $350.
- Caps: $40 to $50 depending on the fit.
One thing to watch out for is the fabric. MLB had a huge scandal with the "see-through" pants and small lettering in 2024. For 2026, they’ve supposedly fixed the pant customization and reverted to some of the heavier 2023-era materials. If you’re buying a 2026 jersey, the quality should feel a bit more "big league" than the 2024 versions.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on adding the White Sox new uniforms to your collection, here is the move:
- Check the Hat Size: The City Connect caps tend to run a bit snug because of the extra embroidery on the eyelets. Try one on before you drop fifty bucks.
- Friday is the Day: The Sox usually wear these on Friday home games. If you want to see them in action (or match the crowd), check the schedule for home series openers.
- Wait for the 2026 Batch: If you're picky about the "shrunken name" look from the 2024 Nike/Fanatics debacle, look for the 2026 tags. The manufacturing changes for the 2026 season are aimed at bringing back the larger lettering and better pant fabric.
- The "Bred" Cap is the Winner: If you only buy one piece of gear, the black crown/red visor cap is the most versatile. It looks good with a regular hoodie and doesn't scream "I'm wearing a baseball costume" when you're at the grocery store.
The Sox might be going through a rough patch on the field, but at least they're doing it in style. Whether you love the Bulls crossover or think it’s a cardinal sin of branding, you can’t deny it’s the most talked-about uniform in the league right now.