Fashion Functions by HersToKnow

The new uniforms for the University of Maryland football team in their opening game caused more buzz than the game itself. (Who won again?) Professional athletes like LeBron James famously tweeted “Ewwww!” The exact phrase used by Vogue’s Anna Wintour when she sees another 80′s retrospective on the runway. On the blogosphere reactions were negative and positive. Mostly negative.

In spite of the firestorm of criticism, the team fired back in their next game with a solid black uniform, a yellow and red ombre sleeved jersey, and matte black helmet with a sliver of the checkered Maryland State flag’s crest in the center. While more subtle than their first showing, compared to West Virginia, positively electric.

ESPN’s sports fashion critic, Paul Lucas, ridiculed Maryland’s first uniforms by calling them “costumes”. The fact that ESPN even has an opening for a “sports fashion critic” speaks volumes about the importance of fashion in sports. Where the tennis court used to be the only venue for athleticism and fashion to coexist, football just got more interesting with this show of fashion fortitude. Gentlemen, it’s time to get with the program.

Watching the game between Maryland and West Virginia is like seeing a team from the future play a team from the 1990′s. Who cares? Perhaps the other team. There’s something intimidating if not distracting about playing a team that looks so extraordinary, like a band of superheroes. Call them “costumes” if you may, but it’s whatever gives your team an edge and extra boost of confidence on the field, and for all you football fans makes your wife or girlfriend want to watch a little football with you.

Not all teams are as likely to impress.

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has made no significant updates to its uniforms in the last 50 years. To describe the uniforms as retro would be absurdly flattering because there’s nothing to note. I hope they play spectacularly because they are otherwise entirely forgettable. Like Maryland, they are also unranked. Funny how some controversial fashion can make you the talk of college football. What did LeBron tweet about Penn State? Exactly.

Maryland has broken ground in uniform styling innovation because it has broken free of the typical attempts made by other teams who are stuck using blinding colors, cheesy mascots and tired returns to vintage styles. Clemson University’s attempt to draw attention to itself draws more barks than cheers. Are they sponsored by Iam’s dog food? I can only imagine how embarrassing it feels to play in “Road Work” orange. Like plays, not all attempts to create a fashion splash are equally effective.

Critics of fashion savvy teams like Maryland University and University of Oregon aren’t having their view of the game obscured, so why complain? However, given that this could add a new dimension and fascination to the sport why not dress to impress? While the NFL lags behind with its conservative uniforms that are a veritable snoozefest, NFL team owners should take note of Maryland’s soaring notoriety when trying to fill their stadiums to capacity or get national television coverage. When it comes to getting attention, this kind of publicity can’t be a bad thing if your team becomes a talking point on every sports show across the nation. If young people set the trends, we have a more visually stimulating field to look forward to.

ARTICLE by MIKO LAUBE