Back to the Charlotte Hornets Newsfeed

Why the Hornets’ orginal uniforms - with ‘classy’ pinstripes and pleats - remain iconic

T-shirt style jerseys? Pink in the color scheme?

There was plenty of trial and error before the original Charlotte Hornets arrived at a look suitable for the NBA expansion team’s uniform. Ultimately that look in 1988 – assembled by North Carolinian Alexander Julian – included pinstripes, pleated shorts and a “mean bug” at the belt buckle, at the insistence of primary team owner George Shinn.

Much has changed since then concerning professional basketball in Charlotte. The Hornets left for New Orleans in 2002. Another expansion team replaced them. Shinn sold the first team back to the league.