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Stand Out in the Crowd: Fall Football Fashions for Women

A woman's presence in the stands inspires pure inspiration on the field. This fact is a stereotypical staple in the cinema. For instance, in the comedy "Nacho Libre, " the main character, Nacho-who lives a double life as a friar in an orphanage by day and a wrestler by night-finds himself near defeat in the biggest match of his career. At that critical moment, he looks up to see the object of his deep affection appearing like an angel in the stands, a nun from the orphanage, dressed in traditional nun attire. Suddenly, seeing her there to offer support, he finds the strength to emerge victorious.

Now, with football season in full swing, and with their favorite teams battling it out on the turf, women across the country are attending games anxious to show their support for their favorite teams and players. But, prior to making the trip, they all find themselves standing in front of the closet. Tired of having to resort to wearing baggy team jerseys and sweats, yet anxious to show visible team support without making numerous fashion faux pas, the question echoes loudly:

What's a girl (if she's not a nun) to wear?

This is a common frustration. In fact, in an Internet article, "If Chicks Ran the NFL,” the author, in a fit of exasperation, lists as one of her ten overhaul items: "team apparel that fits us and isn't made for men who are 6'2” and weigh in at 330 pounds.” (see http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22340/31624)

The good news is that the fashion industry has taken note of this dilemma and there are some exciting options available to spice up one's image in the stands. These combine the technology of the sports world and the practicality of modern living, while providing style (including a team logo or two) that is sure to turn heads and functionality that is sure to inspire some sighs of relief.

One of the standout lines now available comes from Alyssa Milano. It's called, "Touch,” and it features items tailor-made for women, complete with the logo of NFL teams. While the "Spaghetti Strap Top” probably won't cut it for cold-weather games, the line also features a "Deep V-Neck Pullover Fleece,” a "Long Sleeve T-shirt,” and a "Long-Sleeve Top.” They come in many colors that complement football team logos and schemes. To catch a glimpse of the designs and colors available, visit http://www.alyssa-j-milano.net/touch/.

You can also find Alyssa's "Touch” products featured on the official NFL site, www.nflshop.com. This site additionally carries a large variety of other sports clothing specifically made for women, including items from companies like 5th and Ocean and Reebok. This is a good place to shop if you simply want a jersey, fit for a woman, that features your favorite team. Reebok's stylish jersey cuts will surely turn heads and eliminate the baggy, oversize look that inspires ire from female sports fans. For example, they offer a Matt Hasselback #8 lime green and gray Seattle Seahawks jersey for women that is pleasing in its design and certainly eye-catching. The short-sleeve "Tunic Top” from 5th and Ocean portrays a more care-free, fun-loving style that will go over big on any (warm) game day.

Champion, who proudly claims to have invented not only the hoodie, but also the sports bra, carries an impressive line of traditional sweatshirts, fleeces, and yes, hoodies, that will look great at the game. See their collection at http://www.championusa.com/. Football fans will take interest in such pieces from "HoodQuarters™” as the "Woman's Fleece Full Zip Jacket,” the "Classic Crew Neck Woman's Sweatshirt,” and the "Double Knit Woman's Track Jacket.” Color choices such as "Reef Blue,” "Oxford Grey,” "Vibe Navy,” "Violet Ice,” "Sun Kiss,” "Orion Gray,” and "Deep Garnet” all convey a feeling of freshness and vibrancy that is characteristic of this line.

For those women, however, that want to make a statement in the stands without wearing a jersey or other traditional sports attire, there are several options that will satisfy their need for leaving a memorable fall football fashion statement.

Take, for instance, Adidas, who recently launched a line of clothing called "Y3,” designed by renowned fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, from Japan. His designs can be seen at www.adidas.com. Go to the Y3 link where of particular note are Looks 1, 10, 28, and 31. Here are featured jackets-some plaid, some dark-and jeans combinations that will not only provide warmth in the brisk fall weather, but not make one look like you pulled the first thing out of the coat closet as you ran out the door. In the words of Adidas, "the collection exhibits the contradiction of human innocence and technology with a mixture of technical fabrics on basic garments, as well as technical pieces on very natural and basic materials.” These outfits are amazingly hip and eye-catching.

While at the Adidas site, be sure to check out Stella McCartney's line, too. (Or, you can go to her website, www.stellamccartney.com.) The daughter of the famous Beatle has stirred up some magic of her own! Ms. McCartney's ability to combine active wear with fashion wear in her designs is, well, lyrical. She designs with the idea of making a functional garment that is comfortable for the task, yet full of pizzazz and detail. In other words, her line features clothes for living and sweating that still have a fashion sense and eye for detail. To illustrate, her "Performance Running Jacket” in "Alker Blue” is fluid enough to allow for excessive movement, yet will provide warmth and protection in case of rain, and avid football fans know how important that is. (See it also at www.nordstrom.com.)

That brings us to LuLuLemon Athletica. This clothing line emerged from a yoga instructor who, over the years, noticed that clothing worn by his students became soaked with sweat and didn't stay in its proper place. Sound familiar? LuLuLemon offers clothing that takes advantage of textile technology that whisks away sweat and allows the fabric to remain functional even when stretching or contorting. They carry an impressively creative and colorful line of jackets that will turn heads in the stands and in the parking lot, for that matter. See www.lululemonathletica.com for examples of jackets, hoodies, and vests. For instance, the "Remix Lulu Hoodie Y G” and the "Origami Jacket” are an unexpected, refreshing twist on traditional fashion protocols, much like popping a Starburst candy into your mouth only to discover it's a Starburst sour.

Patagonia presents a more streamlined design with its clothing line, so if the "classic look” is the style of choice, investigate this manufacturer. See www.patagonia.com. The company's back-to-basics approach need not fool you into thinking these clothes are hopelessly simple and boring, however. They actually employ a patented process to knit garments from specially-developed organic cottons that absorb sweat and distribute it among the surrounding fibers, thus accelerating evaporation, and because they are organic, they eliminate caustic and toxic chemicals normally used in textile production. Wearing Patagonia, you'll not only be cheering your team, but also cheering the environment. Representative of their jackets, the "Women's R2 Jacket” is Patagonia's "most breathable and versatile high-loft fleece provid(ing) superb warmth, especially under a shell, and is lightweight and compressible.” So, when the sun comes out at the game, the compressibility feature allows you to take off the jacket and not be burdened by a huge, heavy jacket to lug around.

Stunning colors and designs from Athleta (www.athleta.com) will complement any sports attire. Their line of base layers, jackets, and fleeces are all color and design coordinated to provide numerous outfitting options. Their jackets use a combination of soft and sleek materials, and are curvy and elegant.

Finally, to round out our survey, check out Danskin at www.danskin.com for sleek tops and bottoms that are designed with the active woman in mind.

As the season progresses and you try out different styles, we invite your comments and encourage you to send pictures of your outfits so we can share them with our readers. (The author wishes to thank New York fashion designer Carlynne Cutler for invaluable suggestions incorporated in the writing of this article. Her designs can be seen at http://carlynnepearl.blogspot.com/. )