A Little Bit of Jerseys: The Ultimate Sports Fashion Pieces
When you step back, it’s difficult – if not otherwise impossible – to imagine a more ubiquitous nod toward modern fashion trends than sports jerseys. What were originally conceived as crude, hand sewn garments to help distinguish between similarly dressed players on opposing teams; jerseys have evolved into a cornerstone of virtually every sports industry.
Thousands of miles away from the nearest basketball court, whether at red carpet events, shopping malls or family barbeques, it’d be almost impossible not to spot celebrities, fashionistas and teenagers alike wearing iconic Michael Jordan and timeless Shaquille O’Neal jerseys. For men, the look might be:
- a modern NBA jersey (arms out, of course), with baggy jeans and construction boots; or,
- a retro NBA jersey over a contrasting colored tee, with cargo shorts and sneakers.
While for women, it’s not difficult to imagine:
- a contemporary WNBA jersey with capris and wraparound sandals; or
- a lightweight blazer covering a WNBA throwback jersey / tee combination, with a western skirt and cowboy boots.
Decked out with the names of professional sport’s most revered athletes representing cities that invoke the fiercest of loyalties; jerseys are the comfortable, vibrantly coloured, and infinitely accessorizable wardrobe staples that simultaneously declare both individuality and solidarity. By sheer assertion, they boldly proclaim the wearer isn’t shy about standing out in a group.
That jerseys like the unforgettable Shaq jerseys, and sports attire in general, have gone from athletic work clothes to embraceable fashion statements isn’t difficult to image. But what exactly is a jersey, and how did it become such an indivisible part of our culture?
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The History Of “Jersey”
What may come as a surprise is that the word “jersey” is actually a reference to a type of knitted fabric produced from worsted wool yarn – not a specific article of clothing. Although the creator of the knit itself may never be known, it would inevitably be for the notable qualities of 19th century fishermen’s clothing originating from the Isle of Jersey along the English Channel that the term “jersey-knit” would be coined after.
What distinguishes jersey knitted fabrics from their woven counterparts is the distinctive looping nature of its stitch. While almost any material can conform to the jersey knit pattern, it’s the looped stitching that allows virtually any jersey knitted fabric to flow and stretch in ways that other knits simply can’t.
Over time, this “stretchiness” allowed jersey knits to be used for all types of apparel ranging from heavy woollen coats and sweaters to undergarments. It wouldn’t take long, however, for this wonder fabric to catch the attention of burgeoning young athletic leagues that were anxious to establish uniformity within their ranks, and they weren’t ashamed to run with it – literally.
Out of nothing, the sports jersey was born.
Jerseys In Sports
Not unlike the origins of the knit itself; just how jersey knits would become associated almost exclusively with sporting attire is a matter of conjecture. With mentions in a 1894 publication of Athletics and Football and London’s 1908 Olympics report, an early template for a few of the first roles jerseys were expected to play in organised sports is evident.
These are pivotal examples, but there’s no mistaking that the jersey’s mission in these instances was intended more to protect the thin-skinned sensitivities of onlookers than the bruised skins of athletes.
It wouldn’t be until the invention of synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester almost a half century later that the first modern sports jersey so recognisable today, in the fashion of the O’Neal jerseys, would come into existence. The jersey’s functional evolution, however, would still continue to outpace its stylish appeal for another two decades as fibre textiles continued to improve material comfort, elasticity, and overall appearance.
The Jersey Goes Primetime
While there’s always been a slow-boiling interest in sports memorabilia, often without the endorsement of official sports authorities, it wasn’t until the broadcast syndication of most professional sports that the interest in sports jerseys would finally come into its own. Younger generations could now see the athletes… and they wanted to be the athletes.
When it came to official merchandising, though, even sports leagues like the NBA lacked an appreciation for just how strong the demand for jerseys could be. Individual teams did occasionally promote their own locally produced jerseys for their most dominant players through local retailers, but they wouldn’t have been available outside of that team’s metropolitan area.
Until 1982, even the NBA lacked an official merchandising department whatsoever; and it was if by chance, that not only then did the NBA suddenly realise that it had much greater fan potential than it believed, but that it also had a powerful new ally that was prepared to take the jersey from courtside to curbside. Hip hop.
The Transition From Urban to Urbane
The larger-than-life personas of professional sports became the perfect representation for the boundless expressionism and over-sized personalities of hip hop; but it’s been the jersey’s journey beyond the status of superstars that have been the source of their appeal.
The message jerseys send is more meaningful now than ever – that the wearer is the real superstar.
Buying Jerseys
Today, jerseys are available for every sport imaginable. If you’re looking to buy one of the Shaquille O’Neal jerseys, or any other athlete and team, the first thing you want to do make sure that jersey is a product manufactured under license by that sport’s sanctioning body. The popularity of most athletic leagues has grown to such mammoth proportions that contracts with multiple jersey manufacturers to produce numerous editions of jerseys over a range of seasons is common.
Ultimately, you want to steer clear of knockoff and imitation merchandise. If you’re not buying directly from a league’s own sports store, you want to deal exclusive with a reputable seller whom you trust. A few telltale signs that a jersey’s origin may be questionable are:
- if it’s composed of any material other than 100% polyester (remember, it’s still a jersey-knit, after all);
- poor, or inconsistent quality stitching that wouldn’t be consistent with the type of wear and tear the jersey would have originally designed to take;
- inaccurate logos, and incorrect number and letter fonts; or,
- the price is just too good to be true.
With price, always remember that aside from purely collectable league-issued jerseys, all jerseys produced within unique editions tend to fall within the same price range, regardless of the seller. Any jersey falling outside that edition’s range should be viewed cautiously.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask the seller if the jersey is in fact authentic. Reputable sellers won’t shy away from the question… and why should they. They know that authenticity is the key to their business, and they’ll be anxious to prove it.
A Final Note To The Jersey Lover
At the end of the day, the choice to buy and wear a jersey comes down to a single question: Will it make you feel special?
The answer is equally simple. If, when donning Michael Jordan or Shaquille O’Neal jerseys, you feel that you’re qualified to fly just as high as MJ, tower as high above the horizon as Shaq, or just plain want to feel comfortable, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Go, get a jersey, and make your statement. You’ll be glad you did.
