When Fashion Tackles The Fantasy of Football

Designers taking a cue from sportswear isn’t anything new. But it wasn’t until Alexander Wang took this all-American idea to his Spring 2010 runway that fashion really took notice. Taking timeless classics like the sweatshirt and varsity uniform and transforming them into something not only playful, but wearable, earned Wang major points that season. And he’s not the only one taking his inspiration from athletes.

Last year Tommy Hilfiger sent out a retro-inspired parade of jersey-clad models who looked like something from a 1940’s college campus. And who can forget Marc Jacobs closing out his sixteen-year tenure at Louis Vuitton with a theatrical show filled with glitzy showgirls sporting football-esque shoulder pads.

For those of us who don’t really care about football, it’s nice to look back on the designers who made use of the idea in the only way they knew how: by creating inspiring collections that paid homage to the sport.

So whether you’re watching the game this weekend or not, have fun dressing up for the fantasy.