The World Cup is no longer just a contest on the pitch - it's become a catwalk in the stands. The wives and girlfriends of the footballers have raised the fashion code to a new level this year, and not with official jerseys but with something far more personal: custom-made jeans.

Claudia Rodriguez, a content creator and the partner of footballer Marc Cucurella, turned up in customised jeans during Spain's match against Cabo Verde. Designer Carolina De La Cruz decorated them with patches, embroidery and football-shaped emblems, the number 24 and stars from the World Cup. The whole process took about two weeks - the first for choosing the design and materials, the second for the making.

Behind the trend sits so-called "blokecore" - a football-inspired aesthetic that has evolved from simply pulling on a jersey into something more personal. "Personalisation is playing an ever bigger role," says the designer. The idea is to adapt the universe of football to one's personal style, instead of copying it straight from the fan-merchandise shop.

Rodriguez isn't the only one. Michèle Gerzig, partner of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, made similar jeans with metal football-shaped emblems, initials, stars and little flags. Whether this is genuine fashion or just clever advertising for the tournament stays open - but one thing is clear: on these stands the clothes compete just as fiercely as the teams.