If every fashion week is my Christmas, then every football season is my Thanksgiving.
Recently, Macy’s was able to combine my two loves at its Herald Square flagship store. Macy’s invited the National Football League for a “style-out” at the store. Stylists and players conducted a photoshoot based on combining NFL-branded merchandise with street clothes to create a ready-to-wear look.
New York Giants players Victor Cruz and Mark Herzlich were among those in attendance. Cruz wore a pair of Giants sweatpants with a Michael Bastian sweater and Balenciaga sneakers. Herzlich paired a team T-shirt by Mitchell & Ness with a Kenneth Cole Reaction hooded jacket and Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply jeans.
Macy’s wanted to create looks that many would find stylish and see that NFL merchandise could be worn outside the stadium or a tailgate in a parking lot.
While I love that Macy’s is bringing football and fashion together, haven’t people been wearing their fan gear outside of the game for years?
As an LSU student, it’s very common to pass more than one person during the day in purple and gold or their favorite NFL team colors (cough, New Orleans Saints, cough). I’m even guilty of showing my tiger pride on the way to class.
So is Macy’s just attempting to cash in on our football-obsessed culture and telling us we need to buy a specific fan shirt because it goes better with the high-end jeans and jacket Macy’s also sells? Probably.
While Macy’s may be using an over-done business move, I thank them for bringing back the sports-gear-as-street-wear trend again. This happens every couple years from a company, and I always enjoy getting to combine sportswear with what I wear every day.
Football T-shirts can be paired with high-waisted shorts, skirts or dark denim for a more polished look than sweatpants or leggings. Adding a jacket or vest in leather, denim or another type of structured, nice material also dresses up a T-shirt. Finishing the look with boots, flats or nice sandals completes the look and allows you to show off your team spirit while being acceptable for casual Friday at your internship.
Football sweatshirts can be dressed up with a scarf and jacket or a vest over top, especially if they’re the crewneck version. With a lot going on at the top of the outfit, the bottom can be simple with leggings or dark jeans and boots or flats.
Attempting the sweatpants look like Cruz can be more difficult since it’s loungewear but making the top structured is a simple solution. Ditch the ratty T-shirt or sweatshirt for a nicer T-shirt, Henley, sweater or jacket to change the sweatpants appearance. Trading in Nike running sneakers for Converse, Vans, Toms or Nike’s street-wear sneakers can also take the pants from the gym to the classroom.
All I can say is, once football season starts up full-swing again, I’ll be happy to pull out my T-shirts with leather jackets and dark jeans.
And if anyone asks why, well, Macy’s told me to.