Sorry New Jersey babies…. Jersey Girl Fall doesn’t refer to your hometown across the George Washington Bridge. Jersey Girl Fall is here, mixing fashion with athleisure to override the golf (not so) chic tennis skirt previously defining this genre.
Within days of arriving in Spain, I watched the final match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, my first induction into the Spanish fútbol world. Rather than being normal and enjoying the sport, all I could focus on was the colors of their jerseys: red and yellow vs. blue and white. My god, I wanted one.
After Spain’s final winning goal, I started noticing jerseys pop up all around me, but not just in the soccer sports world. Women styled mini-jerseys with baggy jeans and a colorful kitten heel. Others wore an oversized jersey to the beach. Aemilia Madden wrote a piece for Vogue styling soccer jerseys in five unique ways, my favorite being under a Prada nightgown, while Amrit Tietz (an &tost favorite) styled her Brazil sports jersey with a maxi, asymmetrical black skirt and rhinestone ballet flats that we can thank Khaite for pioneering. The balance of the boxy nature of the jersey is paired perfectly with skirts and a flat to add a feminine flair to the look. These fashion leaders combined two worlds that the media has always kept distinct and separate: sports and fashion. Sports have transcended the category of physical activity to become an aesthetic of this fall’s season. Consider it fashion’s ironic pairing.
Aemilia Madden
Amrit Tietz
After drooling over the what-ifs and overall outfit potential of the sports jersey lifestyle, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was breaking some sort of de facto rule, wanting to wear something that I know nothing about. On the one hand, I completely understand those who are passionate about not wearing anything with a band, team, etc, that they know nothing about. If what you wear acts as a reflection and extension of who you are, I agree that it is nonsensical to falsely advertise something you are unfamiliar with. On the other hand, viewing fashion as an art form requires me to think about aesthetics, colors, and physical design, rather than just what the words or logos say. So what is my take? I can confidently say that I don’t know. I enjoyed watching the Women’s World Cup Final, and I’m in Spain and support female sports, so I believe I can confidently wear a jersey that is both visually appealing and meaningful. While I can’t contribute a lot to the athletic field, I can to the fashion world, and maybe combining both will force me out of a comfort zone I dwell in most days.
Aside from this moral dilemma, general sportwear outside of just the jersey has taken over the limelight of fall transitional pieces, and I’m loving it. Jersey shorts are popping up everywhere – making them a staple, androgynous piece for 70 degree weather with a light jacket. It’s no wonder Michelle Li’s collaboration with Relax Lacrosse Brand sold out instantly. Salomon XT 6s are being worn with a daytime floral dress, and baseball caps are becoming the new accessory of choice. Once jackets come out to play this season, prepare to be flooded with vintage sports bombers ranging in color and size. The resurgence of the Adidas Sambas have been taken to the next level this season, ladies.
Attempting to add these sporty accents to my wardrobe this fall, I’ve stumbled upon two vintage Adidas tops, one a tank top and one a tee, that take my blasé transitional outfits up a notch through adding a sporty, worn-in look. These tops aren’t just generic brand tops, though, because they are grounded in bright colors (green and yellow) that instantly draw attention to the aesthetic of the tops, rather than the sports logo. Balancing bright colors and loud patterns with sportswear allows me to seamlessly mesh the two categories together, rather than be solely sporty during this Jersey Girl renaissance. I style this look with loafers to add a feeling of preppiness to my newfound athletic side, and pair the ensemble with chunky jewelry and a bandana of some sorts tied onto either a bag or on my head. Voila! The ideal Jersey Girl Fall outfit.
My favorite sportswear find thus far is my vintage Puma messenger bag, which I found at Free P’Star vintage in Paris. The bag is leather and has rust gold detailing with a flash of red in the center. Acting as the perfect unconventional school and workwear bag, I can say that my messenger bag was the first item to initiate my love of sportswear.
Puma messenger bag styled on Lila
So viva Jersey Girl Fall and its eclectic combination of colors, patterns, and teams. I may not be a huge sports fan, but damn I love a jersey.
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