"New" look has a classic feel

   Let's be honest.  The Buffalo Bills didn't really have many options when it came to changing their uniforms. 
   For starters, everyone will always associate the Bills with some shade of red, white and blue - so a switch in color scheme was immediately out the door.  Second, replacing the classic charging buffalo would have been more unpopular than re-hiring Dick Jauron.  And of course, the most recent attempt to modernize the team's wardrobe in 2002 was a huge bust amongst the fans. 
   So reaching back into the vault and bringing back a more classic look was probably the best choice.
   Of course, everyone associated with the organization is more interested in winning than apparel.  With this latest change, I wanted to look back through the team's history and see which looks have been the most successful for the Bills through the years.

Helmets
   The most drastic change in 2011 will be the switch back to a white helmet.  The design is virtually identical to what the Bills wore between 1974 and 1983, but with gray facemasks instead of blue.
   Although longtime fans may welcome the switch back, it could take a little bit longer for the younger generation (especially those under 30 years old) to get used to the less colorful look.  The Bills have been wearing red helmets since 1984 - a span that included their four Super Bowl appearances.
   Overall, the Bills wore the red helmets for 27 seasons.  During that time, they amassed a record of only 209-222 (48.5 winning pct.) to go with 10 playoff appearances and four Super Bowl trips.
   Sporting the white helmets, the Bills put together a record of 138-168-6 (45.1 winning pct.) in 22 seasons.  That span also included seven playoff appearances and two AFL championships... the only time the Bills ended their season hoisting a trophy.

Winner:  White Helmets
It was a close one, but the two championship trophies in 1964 and 1965 were the tie-breaker.

Logo
   Few might remember the Bills first, dreadfully boring uniforms.  Resembing the early Detroit Lions, Buffalo's attire included dark blue jerseys and plain gray helmets.  After only two years in existence as a franchise, the Bills gave themselves some more color and identity by adding the red standing buffalo as a logo. 
   The standing buffalo would remain the team's logo for 12 seasons, including the Bills back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965.  Buffalo's record during that time was 71-90-6 (44.1 winning pct.) with four playoff appearances.
   For anyone outside of a nostalgic few, the charging buffalo was a big improvement when it came along in 1974.  The same design has been the team's most identifiable mark for the last three decades.  During those 37 seasons, the Bills posted a 276-300 record (47.9 winning pct.) with 13 playoff appearances.

Winner:  Charging Buffalo
No contest here.  The Bills have one of the coolest logos in the NFL and it's been around for most of their history.  So there was no change necessary.

Jerseys:
   In their 50 years, the Bills have always had blue jerseys with only variations in the shade.
   Still, most would probably say the darker look never really fit the team.  It wasn't popular when the team was founded in 1960 and was quickly replaced.  It wasn't popular when it came back 42 years later with Drew Bledsoe under center. 
   And get this... The Bills have never made the postseason with dark blue jerseys on their backs.
   Excluding Buffalo's first two years in existence and the last (forgettable) decade, the Bills have always worn a bright royal blue at home.  It was on O.J. Simpson's back when he rushed for 2,000 yards in a season.  It hung in the lockers of Jim Kelly and Bruce Smith.
   My favorite part about the "new" look, though, are the identifying marks on both sides.  No more getting confused with Giants or Patriots fans.  The Bills name is stitched under the front collar, while the team logo is clearly visible above the player's name.

Winner: Royal Blue
Another easy one.  Dark blue has not been a friend of the Buffalo Bills.

Pants:
   For close to half of the team's history (1973-1986 and 2002-2010), the Bills went with blue pants when on the road.  For every other home and away game, they have worn white.  
   Although I personally like the contrast of blue pants with the white jerseys, the folks at One Bills Drive seemed to disagree for the new design.
   Of course, if we are considering that decision in historical context - the Bills never really did anything good with blue pants in their wardrobe arsenal.  So maybe it was a good decision after all.

Winner: White Pants
I had to go against my individual taste on this one.  White on white might be boring, but the Bills have been more successful wearing it.