High Fashion For Football Fans

   By drodriguez  Nov 24, 2009
14

With the football season in full swing many fans are spending their Sundays either on the couch in front of the TV or, if you're lucky enough, in the stands cheering on your favorite team.  In the past, the only option for a woman who enjoyed watching football as well as sporting a t-shirt or cap from her favorite team was to wear what the National Football League had to offer; men's clothing.  This has all changed with the introduction of the women's pro shop from the NFL.

A recent segment from National Public Radio (NPR) spotlighted the latest additions to women's sports attire and the trend goes way beyond a curve hugging t-shirt.  From floor-length ball gowns made from recycled team jerseys to handbags and hair accessories the NFL is paying more attention to women as consumers in the sporting arena.  And it's no wonder since women make up 40 percent of the almost 200 million football fans nationwide.

Actress, Alyssa Milano, recognized the trend two years ago when she signed a contract with the NFL to create a girls-only team gear called "Touch."  The line has been quite lucrative for the NFL and has also helped to boost confidence that they should continue marketing sports attire to women. 

Though "Touch" is generally more of a casual line for the the every-day fan, the NFL is churning out some high-fashion pieces for its fans as well.  The first floor-length ball gown designed by Danell Lynn is made of Cardinal jerseys that the entire team has signed.  Lynn reports to NPR that since the dress' debut on the runway she has been receiving numerous phone calls from NFL wives who want ball gowns made for their teams too. 

What do you think of the NFL marketing to women?

Would you purchase clothing or accessories to show off your favorite team?

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Comments
GINGER8051 by GINGER8051 | MARQUETTE, MI
Jan 03, 2010

I absolutely love the idea and hope they do it in all sizes not just small sizes. I hope to see some player specialties like Favre items as well as team accessories. When I was traveling I saw handbags made from Team license plates that were really cute. I wish I would have purchased one but I haven't seen one since.

roxygirlie1021 by roxygirlie1021 | Columbia, SC
Dec 10, 2009

I love it! I already buy accessories and clothes to show of my fav team (Go Bucs!) It's a great way for me and my husband to bond together - he loves it that I am into football.

Yeago6 by Yeago6 | finksburg, MD
Dec 04, 2009

I love her clothes and have bought a few to wear along side my husband at all the Ravens games. Great line

pabswife by pabswife | suffolk, VA
Dec 02, 2009

from aug thru jan, every weekend....its "touch" STEELERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Innergy by Innergy | MARIETTA, GA
Dec 02, 2009

I have a touch NY Giants t-shirt and I love. Cute clothes for women and ever retro options.

justadevil by justadevil | Austin, MN
Dec 01, 2009

I think it is great that the NFL is finally realizing not all there fans are men. I have been a football fan since I was a little kid and I am now living in MN and the Vikes are kicking butt! I have been a fan of the Vikes for a long time win or lose I have been following them for years. I personally have not seen the touch line and will have to look into it some more! Yeah woman sports fans!

jenndta69 by jenndta69 | SHERMAN OAKS, CA
Nov 30, 2009

I personally love the line. There are also others out there for MLB and NBA too. You just have to do some surfing on the net to find them.

Stephbff by Stephbff | TUCSON, AZ
Nov 30, 2009

Tyra1276 hit the nail on the head! I like the touch line; however, the clothing in this line does not go past an extra large. Moreover, even If I lost enough weight to fit in to an XL I still wouldn't fit comfortably into it because my bust would still be too big. I want to fit into something made for a woman and not something boxy. This line needs work!

Tyra1276 by Tyra1276 | BELVIDERE, IL
Nov 28, 2009

It's about time! We are Steelers fans, and fortunatly the womans line goes beyond boxy t-shirts, but it could still use some tweaking. Not all woman sports fans are a size 2 that wants to wear body hugging fan wear, nor do they want boxy, to baggy, mens style wear.

sassysami by sassysami | brunswick, OH
Nov 26, 2009

I think it is great! half of the fans are women too so it is good to be recongnized.

joy9281 by joy9281 | TOLEDO, OH
Nov 25, 2009

i've seen the alyssa milano commercial on t.v. for her new clothing line and i think that is awesome. i love the look of the clothing line they are cute as well as sporty and you don't have to look line a woman in mens clothes.

shelly104 by shelly104 | Columbia, SC
Nov 25, 2009

I love sports, being the only woman in a house with three men you learn to like sports real fast. I agree with cybrown551 I don't think I would wear a sports themed gown either.

cybrown551 by cybrown551 | HOOKSETT, NH
Nov 24, 2009

I love sports. My son played high school football and my daughter currently plays AAU basketball. I watch and love the New England Patriots. I am a big sports person. I donā?'t mind them marketing to women. I think that that is a great idea. Especially when it is tees sweat shirts etc. However, I do not think that I would want to wear a gown or for that matter pay for an expensive outfit that has a sport theme on it.

momagarry by momagarry | MILWAUKEE, WI
Nov 24, 2009

That is a great idea. I love the Touch line.