I’ll never forget the first jersey I ever had, a Ricky Watters hand me down. I’ve heard people shame the jersey, saying how “it’s such a kid’s thing” or “why would you wear another man/woman’s name on your back?”
To that I say “hey Cindy, the jersey is a symbol and needs to be worn at every sporting event.”
Some people just don’t understand, and I get it – if you weren’t raised a jersey guy you probably don’t feel the attachment. If you’re a true sports fan, you have a jersey you ALWAYS wear, and you won’t change it until your team loses. I do believe that everyone has a jersey, even if its an MJ Bulls jersey “for cosmetics”. Nothing beats the fully stitched jersey of your favorite player, but I have to say there are some solid alternatives out there.
I would say, the best alternative to the actual jersey itself is the Shirsey. The Shirsey is a mock jersey in t-shirt form, but think it about it this way – it’s not appropriate to wear a tuxedo tee to a wedding, why should it be acceptable to wear anything other than a jersey to a tailgate or sporting event?
The next alternative I would approve of is a team shirt/hoodie. It’s cool I get it, you want to keep it casual. This might be your first date and I respect the fact that you would bring your significant other to a tailgate or sporting event for the first date. I respect them even more for agreeing. Just make sure your shirt is clean and the tailgate is fun.
At the very least, you wear your team’s colors. Don’t go to a game unless you have something of the team’s color, or else you’ll look like a red headed step child. (I am one so I can say that). No one likes the guy who wears a Bears hat and a nice navy sweater to a Birds vs Steelers game/tailgate. You look dumb chief, and you don’t want to look dumb at a tailgate because you will be roasted. Don’t get roasted.
The Tailgate 