With the kit being worn for the first time in the game against Egypt tonight, we thought it’d be the perfect time to look back over everything we’ve done over the past couple of months, and give you the whole story behind the new kit.

The picture above features some of England‘s superstars modelling the kit, but they weren’t the first to wear the shirt in public. That honour went to Tom Meighan, singer with rockers Kasabian, a move that surprised and shocked many. However, we didn’t just do it to cause a stir – we saw the connections between a team of footballers heading onto the pitch on foreign shores and a band performing on stage in a foreign city, and wanted to bring those two worlds together. So at the Paris Olympia in February, Tom wore the Away shirt during his band’s encore, and it raised the roof. You can see the moment for yourself again here.

The new kit, created by acclaimed conceptual designer Aitor Throup, might look sleek and understated, but it’s actually one of the most technologically advanced shirts that Umbro have ever produced. In these videos, Aitor explains how the concept behind the shirt came about, and the innovative techniques that have been used to create the England Away.

Of course, all that technology and style wouldn’t mean a thing if the players didn’t like the shirt. Thankfully, both the England players and manager Fabio Capello loved the new shirt when they first saw it, and were eager to try it on. This video shows Aitor explaining the story behind the shirt to the players, the squad trying on the Away kit, and getting snapped in it for a photoshoot.

And so now here we are, waiting to see the shirt in action on the pitch. We’re sure it’ll look just as good at Wembley tonight as it did in Paris a month ago – maybe even better. What’s certain is that England are going to be the best dressed team in South Africa this summer, both Home and Away.

If you want to see the Away kit in more detail, plus pictures of the Away goalkeeper kit and the Away Anthem jackets the players will wear alongside their kits, take a look at our Flickr page. Fancy winning Away shirts for you and six of your friends? Head over to our Facebook page, where we’ve launched a massive competition. You can also declare your appreciation for the new kit by becoming a fan of it on your Facebook page. If you’re watching the match against Egypt tonight, keep an eye on our Twitter stream to find out what we’re up to at the game.