 Chelsea have always worn blue shirts , although they originally used the paler eton blue , which was taken from the racing colours of then club president , Earl Cadogan , and was worn with white shorts and dark blue or black socks . The light blue shirts were replaced by a royal blue version in around 1912 . In the 1960s Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty changed the kit again , switching to blue shorts ( which have remained ever since ) and white socks , believing it made the club 's colours more modern and distinctive , since no other major side used that combination ; this kit was first worn during the 1964 – 65 season . Since then Chelsea have always worn white socks with their home kit apart from a short spell from 1985 to 1992 , when blue socks were reintroduced . 
