Breakfast is the meal of champions, so imagine how much more epic it would be if your bread popped out of the toaster emblazoned with your favorite team's logo? Sliced bread just got a whole lot more fun.
For $39.99, you can get your own team toaster for your favorite MLB, NHL, NFL or NBA squad. This fun kitchen gadget is a unique gift for the special sports fan in your life or a surprising treat for house guests. Yes, it takes sports fandom (and bread) to a whole new level, but seriously - why not? Real fans should be able to have their branded toast and eat it, too.
If you're a college football fan, chances are you've heard of Alabama's storied football program. In this state, football is next to God, and fans can be seen sporting the trademark red "A" with a black and white houndstooth pattern. This is one of those instances when fashion magic happens in sports. Not only is this design unmistakably Alabama, it's also visually appealing, classic and incredibly stylish.
You might be wondering, why houndstooth and what does that have to do with Alabama football? Well, it all started with a bear - Paul "Bear" Bryant to be exact.
Legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
Bryant is revered in Alabama for his leadership, excellence in sport and sideline flair. His signature style represents an era when coaches respected the job and the game. The Selvedge Yard's Eli M. Getson says it best in his write up about Bryant:
"Whatever happened to the tradition of the team coach actually getting dressed like a grown man? It makes me long for the last guy who dressed with some style and respect– like he was going to church. Maybe it’s because for him the sidelines were his church."
Part of Bryant's je ne sais quoiwas his love for houndstooth, a bold pattern that originated in Scotland that's as distinctive as Bear himself. His houndstooth hat was his staple and when paired with a red sport coat, it was pure crimson splendor. Iconic images of Bryant on the field evoke nostalgia for a period in sports when tradition and legacy mattered. That's why Bryant's houndstooth lives on for 'Bama fans as a good luck charm and treasured heirloom from their storied past. It also happens to complement crimson red really well, giving Alabama houndstooth the cool factor. I'm sure Bryant would agree: A true classic never goes out of style.
Bryant on the sidelines donning his iconic look:
A crimson sport jacket and houndstooth hat
Bryant in houndstooth on the cover
of Sports Illustrated
Rule #2: Questionable fashion choices are all around us, though sometimes it's not what they're wearing, but where they're wearing it. There are some widely accepted cardinal rules that make up our collective dress code, such as never wear a swimsuit to work (unless you're a lifeguard), pajamas are only appropriate for wearing around the house and never wear bright colors to a funeral. One cardinal rule that seems to be broken time and time again, especially in college sports, is when female fans dress for a night out on the town rather than a night at the game.
Some women treat a sporting event more like a social occasion, so it's not uncommon to see them wearing mini skirts, dresses, high heels and costume jewelry, which would be better suited for a place with low lighting and a DJ. It's one thing to not take the game seriously, but why sit through it when you'd clearly rather be somewhere else? While their strategy might be to catch someone's eye, it's highly likely that the eligible bachelors they seek are more concerned with the game.
It's a southern tradition for women to dress up for games, but even that looks out of place when you consider the setting. When you're watching athletes play an intense, physical sport, sometimes outdoors and in harsh weather conditions, it looks sort of silly to be perched in the stands wearing your Sunday best with coordinating jewelry and pumps. Dress for the environment and dress to have fun! A tailored jersey, hat, jeans and sandals just seems more appropriate in this setting, right? Not to mention, it's a lot more comfortable.
And it's not just regular folks who commit this faux pas - celebrities do it, too! Check out Kim Kardashian rocking a serious shoulder pet at a Miami Heat vs. New Jersey Nets basketball game. This seems to be some sort of fashion statement, but it's actually just scary, regardless of where she's wearing it.
TSR's advice: Ladies, you can dress for the game and still catch someone's eye. There are tons of fashionable options for female fans, so have fun with it and please leave your stilettos at home.
Every team has fans (well, the majority anyway), but some teams have special fans known for going above and beyond the call of duty. TSR fondly refers to these devout followers as "famous fans" for their unwavering, daring and sometimes embarrassing displays that often win them five seconds of fame that night on Sports Center.
For this edition of Famous Fans, let's pay a visit to the Beef Studs at the University of South Florida in Tampa. As a large university founded in 1956 with a growing, national athletic presence, the Beef Studs are relatively new to the scene, but that doesn't stop them from making a statement. Meet the Beef Studs!
A Beef Stud
A Beef Stud is no ordinary fan - no sir, a Beef Stud is a unique creature. The traditional costume consists of a bullhorn helmet (to represent USF's mascot, the bull), a grass hula skirt, and most importantly, green and gold body paint. Other random items can be added to complete the look. Sure, he looks like he just dumpster-dove to put his outfit together, but that's what any true Bulls fan would do, right?
A Beef Bunch
The Beef Studs and their ladyfriends, aptly named the Beef Babes, are one of USF's most recognizable student organizations. Their official mission: "To raise awareness of and to promote spirit of: The University of South Florida and all of it's athletic programs; on-campus, locally, and nationally."
Their tailgate at Raymond James Stadium where the USF Bulls football team plays is impossible to miss and they welcome anyone who isn't afraid of some stubborn body paint. One courageous Sports Illustrated reporter documented his Saturday with the Beef Studs when the Bulls traveled to Auburn in 2007. That game would turn out to be one of the biggest wins in school history as the Bulls beat the then-No. 17 Tigers, 26-23 in overtime. Read Joe Rienzi's story here.
Beef Babes Represent
It may not be easy, but the Beef Studs are a shining example of dedication, no matter how ridiculous you look. However the season turns out, USF can count on the Beef Studs to be there on gameday wearing almost nothing but their green and gold.
Bringing the Beef
What do you think of the Beef Studs? Does your school have a similar fan group?
XO,
The Style Ref
P.S. The USF Beef Studs are in rare form in this video created for the "Be Respect-A-Bull" campaign to promote a higher level of pride, sportsmanship and honor at USF. I beg you to please remember, the Beef Studs are not representative of all USF students and alumni. :)
TSR's Hall of Fame honors those who have made a significant contribution to the converged worlds of fashion and sports, making our passion for our favorite teams just a little more fun and stylish. The very first inductee is former child star, actress and businesswoman Alyssa Milano.
TSR's Hall of Fame: Alyssa Milano
Aside from her on-screen talents, Alyssa is a self-proclaimed baseball fanatic. She loves to go to games and wear fan gear to support her team, but like most women, she had trouble finding things that fit her personal style. Along with The Style Ref, she believes women shouldn't have to sacrifice fashion to support their favorite teams (amen, sister!). So she partnered with G-III Apparel Group and Major League Baseball to design and distribute a line of juniors’ ladies MLB apparel called TOUCH. Launched in Spring 2007, the line isn't just for baseball fans anymore and now offers apparel for fans of the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Major League Soccer, Minor League Baseball and The Kentucky Derby.
As one of the few apparel lines dedicated to fashionable women's fanwear, the price points are on the high side, but it's a great idea to invest in a couple of great pieces that you can use for years. Perhaps Alyssa's success with TOUCH is a sign that the market is finally taking notice of female fans and their needs. Let's be honest - women are a hugely untapped segment in fanwear and wearing their brother's oversized jersey just doesn't cut it anymore.
Society often looks to celebrities as role models, especially when it comes to style. These are the trendsetters, the taste makers, the people who convince us to spend money on things we think we need to look our best. The truth is celebs are just like the rest of us - and they love sports! However, this doesn't necessarily mean you should follow their lead when it comes to getting dressed for the game.
TSR will regularly feature a style match up between two fans and choose the winner (with your help, of course!). In this edition, it's the Battle of the Hollywood Titans: Brad Pitt vs. Tom Cruise.
Of these two big screen hunks, which one is dressed most inappropriately (that's right, not appropriately) for the game?
Let's break this down: Tom's ready for a meeting and Brad hasn't shaved in a year. Plus, neither one of them is sporting anything related to their team. The only one who knows how to dress for a game is little man holding Brad's hand.
This is a tough call, but the winner is: Tom Cruise
At least Brad's keeping it casual for gameday. Tom looks like he's reenacting a scene from Jerry Maguire. The bottom line for these movie stars - stick with " no comment" before making a fashion statement like this on the field!
I've discovered a whole new world of fan goodies this holiday season for decorating your home, office, cubicle or any other space. It seems like a no-brainer that these would exist, but when I saw them online recently, I had one of those "I want those!" moments. I give you...Team Lights!
They come in a variety of color combinations, so no matter what your favorite sport is, you can find a set that works for you and your team. Use them to deck out your Christmas tree or add them to your holiday lights display and be the envy of the neighborhood. You might even get a friendly rivalry going on your block for the house with the best team spirit!
Are you planning on incorporating your favorite team into any of your holiday decor? Tell me about it in the comments. Happy Holidays!
The Coach's Corner will be a regular feature on TSR because a coach's style is one of the biggest fashion statements in sports! Throughout the history of sports, many iconic coaches defined their image and even their legacy through what they wore on the sidelines. Their famous style choices are burned in our collective memory forever, influencing how we view them as leaders both on and off the field. Some do it right and some make mistakes. In the end, it's all pretty fun to watch!
In the first edition of Coach's Corner, TSR spotlights Al Golden, head football coach at the University of Miami. Al is relatively new to South Florida, which is a tough fashion scene for anyone to tackle. Plus, you have Miami's storied swagger to live up to. That's no easy feat for a white guy from Jersey. However, Al seems to have taken to the idea of creating an iconic look, one that undeniably says: Miami's Still Got It. The only problem is this doesn't really say that:
Al Golden, head football coach for Miami (2011 - present)
Remember, Swagger + Style = Miami, not orange tie + baggy, ill-fitted, white oxford shirt + pleated khakis. This doesn't make me think Miami; more like suburban prep school. I would love to see Al looking confident wearing cleaner, bolder ensembles to bring a bit of the famous Miami magic back. You have to admit, Jimmy Johnson, Miami's head football coach from 1984 to 1988 during the football program's "Decade of Dominance," had this equation down pat.
Jimmy Johnson, head football coach for Miami (1984-1988)
The man was a true original with swagger for days. He even made it to the cover of GQ!
Fear not, Al! All is not lost yet. You have only just begun to build your legacy at Miami and you can still get your own GQ cover. My advice: Take this season to gather your orange ties, white oxford shirts and pleated khakis, and donate them to those in need of proper work attire. It's time for some fresh duds to lead Miami into a new era.
Put the finishing touches on your holiday/winter decorations with a fun spirit wreath! I came across these on one of my favorite sites, etsy.com. There are a ton of them available in all different shapes and sizes, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites:
Have rivals at home? This Etsy shop can create a custom "house divided" wreath for your two favorite teams!
For something a little more festive, I love this Etsy shop's variation made of ornaments.
I actually just ordered one from this Etsy shop! It's made of different ribbons and you can choose whatever colors and textures you like. I particularly like the school ornament hanging in the middle.
These make a great gift for the most important fan of all - YOU! So add a touch of team spirit to your home this holiday season. Which one do you like best?
If you haven't noticed, college football teams have really stepped up their style over the last few years. Blame it on TV and the sports media, but it makes for great publicity and it's fun to watch. Some teams are perennial favorites, like the Oregon Ducks, who have 384 uniform combinations thanks to their sweet hook-up with Nike (Co-Founder & Chairman Phil Knight is an alumnus). However, some teams debut a uniform for a special occasion, like the Maryland Terrapins did this season with their head-to-toe interpretation of the state flag. Very daring, boys.
Rule #1: You might not be able to afford those expensive seats at the game, but you can still rep your team from your couch. In fact, I'd argue the view and sound quality is a lot better on TV than in person. No matter where you cheer from, there are some great options to get you and your gamewatch buddies in style for the game!
By the way, these would make great holiday gifts! Let me know in the comments if you get one for a special someone. I know, I know...you're welcome. :)
Today is a very special day because it's the official launch of the newest, coolest blog you've never heard of: The Style Ref!
The Style Ref is a place where two very different, but complimentary worlds collide - fashion and sports. Like many devoted fans, I have a strong passion for both and noticed the stylish ones on the sidelines were missing a voice. And so, the idea for this blog was born.
TSR is your source for everything at the intersection of fashion and sports, a place where only the strong survive and making the right call can be the difference between a major win and an epic fail.
You can count on TSR to bring you great fanwear products, gift ideas, home decor, DIY projects and tips for superior sideline style. I'll also spotlight our favorite celebrities, coaches, players and teams who make their own fashion statements both on and off the field.
I already know you don't want to miss a single post, so subscribe by entering your e-mail in the box at the top right corner of the page. Each shiny, new post will be delivered straight to your inbox!
I hope you enjoy the site and thanks for visiting The Style Ref!
