Ranking the Orlando Magic’s all-time uniforms (with new Orange City Edition)
Absolute Classics
The Orlando Magic have their classic jerseys that everyone loves. There are a few that certainly stand out beyond those universally beloved jerseys. These are uniforms that certainly hold a special place for most fans but are not for everyone.
The team has classic designs that do stand the test of time. Jerseys that fans look forward to seeing again on throwback nights. These are the best of the jerseys the Magic have ever worn. But not the absolute best.
7. 2020-Present City Edition Orange
The Magic will debut their new City Edition jerseys Friday. For the first time, the Magic will try a color scheme change for the first time, donning an anthracite jersey with orange trimming. The court will feature a similar color scheme with orange as the main color.
These jerseys were long-rumored throughout the summer. And honestly, the fear was they would be some bright orange monstrosity. The fact that these came out fairly muted and look decent was a bit of a surprise.
The reaction to the jersey was divided. Plenty did not understand why the Magic would try a color change. Perhaps the claims that these jerseys are somehow bold were a bit overstated.
But honestly, they are growing on me. Seeing them actually on the court will help everyone figure out what to actually make of them. But they look pretty sleek.
Among the Magic’s uniforms, they are not the worst by any means. They may not be the best. And next year’s version may present the bold vision for these uniforms everyone expected.
At least for a City Edition jersey, the Magic struck a decent balance between different and conservative.
6. 2012-Present New Pinstripes Black
When the Orlando Magic introduced their new vision of the pinstripe jerseys, fans were not sold on them entirely. They looked fine but were not near the legend of the classic pinstripes. But everyone knew the potential for a return of a black alternate would help change them a bit and would look good.
Unlike those original jersey sets, when the Magic introduced the black new pinstripe uniforms as an alternate in 2012, everyone universally loved them. It was an idea that felt very natural and everyone looked forward to the team introducing a black alternate of those jerseys.
In almost every way, the black pinstripe uniform was praised. It was bold and brought out the best elements of the new pinstripe uniforms. The black backdrop made the blue and the pinstripes pop.
Perhaps the only criticism is how bright the blue is on the side paneling. But that is perhaps a small quibble. The blue pops against the black and displays the Magic’s full color palate.
It is no wonder these became a permanent part of the Magic’s jersey rotation as the Icon Edition jersey. It even now comes with a black pinstripe court that has yet to make its debut on the Amway Center floor.
5. 1999-2003 Stars White
The most under-appreciated jersey in the Magic’s jersey grouping is the Tracy McGrady-era jerseys that immediately followed the beloved pinstripes. It is tough to follow a great and these jersey designs are starting to get their due.
Fans are starting to call for the team to wear them as a throwback design. For whatever reason, these jerseys have been locked away in the vault.
At least for the first few years, the Magic’s jersey became much simpler and cleaner with the Magic font (perhaps a bit cartoonish, but muted compared to the other jerseys NBA teams were sporting in the time).
But the unique feature was how the team in-laid a star pattern in the jersey. It was unique and subtle. And it stood out.
There was some reporting that it did not absorb sweat particularly well. The team did change the jersey to get rid of some of the star design. But these jerseys are getting a second life.
Maybe the Magic will one day give it to them.
4. 1990-98 Black Pinstripes
The Orlando Magic’s original jersey set is still the envy of the league. Seeing those jerseys walking around makes it instantly identifiable with the team and its glory days from the mid-1990s. The team will forever be chasing these jerseys and their perfection.
Ranking them against each other is tough. But I have to put the black pinstripes as the worst of the bunch. The muted colors and black and white nature of it does not feel as iconic as its blue and white brethren.
It is still a fantastic jersey. But as several 1990s retrospective specials note, black pinstripes do not do anyone favors. Just look at Stanley Roberts.
The Magic hit gold on their original jersey set. It was simple and distinctive. These jerseys still stand the test of time.
The black jerseys though are probably the ones the team will wear less. They may always go back to the other designs over these black jerseys. They are just kind of plain compared to the others. Not in a good way.
At least we will always have the original warmups to go with them.