FASHION AND FOOTBALL

I’D be lying if I said I’ve ever watched a Liverpool Football Club match. Maybe I have and just can’t remember but I’m sure I’d know about Philippe Coutinho or Daniel Sturridge had I sat through an entire 90-minute Liverpool game. I own a Liverpool replica jersey with “Ma’Zebra 1” inscribed at the back and a cap straight from the Liverpool Store but until a few days ago, I didn’t know Sadio Mane was a new signing at the club. Before you’re quick to judge and think I’m out of my wits, understand that to me – red and white are just plain pretty. Of course I know they’re called the “Reds”, I know about the whole “You’ll Never Walk Alone” phrase just like I know Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba are quite a thing at Manchester United but that’s just about it.

I’m generally a sports fan and would watch literally any sport – live or on television but it’s really when Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil come to play that I’m in my element. We’ll scream and shout at the TV set when the Gunners are playing – like they can hear us – but what’s a game of football without catching some feelings. I don’t own a Liverpool jersey because I’m a staunch supporter of the team. And I know I’m not the only one. A significant number of women have the football jersey they do because that’s the team their partner supports, not necessarily because they know anything about the team, love it or watch it play. It could be because their significant half thought it would be cool to wear matching football jerseys on a date out at the dam, for a photo shoot somewhere or to the stadium.

Maybe it was because they thought it would be rich to have “Mai Sigauke” inscribed at the back of the jersey – just to declare their territory. But I got my Liverpool one because I just loved the red and white away jersey and thought it would look pretty cool with my white Converse All Stars and jeans on a sporty day out. I’m certain I’m not the only one out there who views football jerseys’ as purely a fashion statement and not necessarily a reflection of one’s allegiance to a particular team. Of course most would naturally get a jersey belonging to the team they support and reflect their loyalty to the team but let’s be honest; yellow is really not my colour. The Arsenal 2016-17 away shirt combines the main colour, yellow, with grey. Although their home kit is made up of the Gunners’ traditional red and white colours, stylistically speaking, it’s not my type of thread.

The Arsenal one is mostly red with white accents while the Liverpool jersey is white with red twangs. I made the Liverpool purchase because of the mostly white bit – I thought it would look all shades of classy. But even when a conflict between your preferred colours and those of the team you actually support clash doesn’t exist, take a minute to think about where and how you’re wearing your football jersey. For starters, do us all a favour and don’t wear it to a wedding, cocktail or a night out on the town.

Where’s your respect if you’re going to show up in football regalia at a place where you’re at the least bit expected to dress smartly. 

 
You’d just spoil the pictures – weddings, cocktails and date nights are for pretty dresses and trendy blazers, not clima-cool material. Even if you’re taking your jersey to the stadium – please don’t pair it with formal shoes – pretty pretty please! Formal shoes were never made for the pitch, and that you’d wear them with football regalia is just beyond! Also, forget about that skirt and jersey combination. That can’t honestly be an option; even I don’t wear skirts and T-shirts to sweep my back yard! A football jersey will do well with a pair of shorts or jeans and a decent pair of sneakers. I wish I could undo the checkered shorts trend because of the people who wear them with football jerseys! If it’s not denim, try khakhi, black or white. Keep your checkered shorts for a plain colour T-shirt – we don’t want you looking like a Christmas tree. You could get away with flip flops on a pair of shorts and a football jersey on a Sunday, but I wouldn’t take that combination anywhere else other than a chilled braai on my front lawn.