T: Andrew and I went to see an NBA game this weekend—go Sixers!  While we were at the game, we debated which NBA jersey would be a completely indefensible purchase.  After some debate (I wish I could quit you Jermaine O’Neal), Andrew decided the answer was Chris Bosh.  I cannot imagine a situation in which someone would actually buy one of these things.  I mean, it’s hard to idolize someone who gets paid 100+ million dollars to be the third best player on a non-contender:

After seeing this picture from a spread in the ESPN the Magazine Style Issue, I have to say that the debate is over. 

But wait, there’s more.  When asked about his personal style, Bosh answered:

“My personal style is dressy but loose. I will say, I look to D-Wade and LeBron. They have great personal style, and they pay attention to detail. I am always looking at their belts and scarves. Every game is like a fashion show.”

I can’t imagine this quote coming from anyone who plays for the Lakers or Cetics.  Kobe or KG would murder anyone who even looked at their belt or scarf. 

T: A couple of days ago, Andrew posted on all camo uniforms Army wore during their game against V.M.I.  After some searching around, I managed to read a whole lot of the topic (and waste a solid 45 minutes) on a website called Uni Watch.  Uni Watch is a blog devoted to sports uniforms and their many minutiae and pointless details. If you are a sports fan like I am, it’s one of the best time wasters out there. 

While looking at the site, I came across a link to a website called Duck Tracker that records every uniform the Oregon football team has worn over the last two seasons.  The University of Oregon is right next to Nike headquarters and they famously do not wear the same uniform combination twice in one season.

Last game, Oregon seems to have really outdone themselves with an all white “stormtrooper” outfit with silver shoes.  Cue the John Williams music:

If you look at the jerseys, it appears that the shirts do not have a name on the back:

However, the devil is in the details and Nike decided to go with some whited-out steez:

I can’t wait to see what Oregon wears when they lose to Boise State in the championship.

Editor’s Note: Perhaps the worst uniforms in sports history belong to this team of Ducks.  God, the 1990’s were weird:

T: A lot of people said a lot of things about LeBron James’ decision to tear the heart out of the city of Cleveland and put in in a jar above his mantle in South Beach.  I’m intrigued by his decision for many, many reasons.  Obviously, the kid is a world class narcissist and he has no one who is willing to tell him that turning something that could have been taken care of via Twitter into an hour long special devoted solely to him was a bad idea.  

With all the hoopla surrounding LeBron and his “choices,” I thought that some more thought could be given to his sartorial choices during his “decision” broadcast.  Below is what LeBron chose to wear for his hour long bask in the limelight. 

A few things of note here.  One, great shirt.  However, if this is really the biggest decision of your life, why aren’t you wearing a tie?  Secondly, if you are obsessed with turning yourself into a global brand, at least hire someone with the good sense to tell you not to let your undershirt show.  Finally, I know that you can’t see it here, but he wore jeans for this broadcast.  Time to make a rule: if you know you are going to be on TV for a big occasion (and not an episode of Entourage), jeans are too casual. 

Obviously, LeBron learned his lesson when he was interviewed by ESPN a few days later:

Still though, what is with the jeans?  You are clearly wearing a suit jacket, why not just wear the pants that go with it?  Dwayne Wade (who looks like an extra from Guys and Dolls in this picture) is wearing a 3-piece suit.  Step your game up!

Also big ups to Chris Bosh in the picture above who looks fresh to death in his slim khaki suit, dark tie, tie clip, and colorful socks (not pictured).  Normally, he doesn’t dress this well—see below…..

T: The World Cup is coming in a few weeks folks and while you may or may not think that the English soccer team can beat the US in their opening game, its undeniable that the English team looks sharp in their off-field kit below:

The suits can be bought at English retailer Mark and Spenser and don’t come cheap.  The jacket is priced £120, trousers £79 and waistcoat £35 (which means like 1,000,000 dollars).  This is definitely the first time I an remember that a sports team has tried to market team-issued formal wear.  I find it hard to believe that they won’t be selling enough Umbro jerseys to make a significant chunk of change.  But, if you are a grown man who simply must profess your love for a team, this is definitely a lot classier than wearing a soccer jersey with a pair of jeans.  

Although the Japanese soccer team might not be able to match the on-field form of the English team, they look better off the field in their Dunhill suits. 

No word yet on the possibility of a US team formal kit but I bet Landon Donovan would look pretty good in pinstripes.  However, he will never look as good as this former national team member.

T: Polo shirts are a staple of every man’s spring and summer wardrobe.  They are more formal than a t-shirt and still very comfortable.  The modern polo shirt was first designed by Rene Lacoste who thought that the tennis attire (basically a starched dress shirt) was too uncomfortable and hot. 

For the 1926 U.S. Open, Lacoste designed a white, short-sleeved, loosely knit pique cotton shirt with an un-starched, flat collar, a buttoned front that went half-way down the chest (to keep it formal), and a longer shirt-tail in back than in front which is known today as a tennis tail.  The shirt was easier to move in and the pique cotton was more breathable than traditional cotton (see below).  Eventually, Lacoste who was nicknamed “the crocodile” started a company to make his polos with the animal embroidered on the chest. 

Nowadays, every single clothing label makes a polo shirt in an array of colors.  Personally, I own a polo shirts from Uniqlo in a few colors as well as some from the brand that Rene Lacoste started himself.  As with anything else, the key to polo shirts is the way that they fit.  If you wear a polo shirt that is too big, you run the risk of looking like an IT manager or like a surburban dad who just stepped off the gold course.

Polo shirts should be snug in the biceps and should be fairly form fitting in the body.  As for color, please avoid anything neon green or bright pink unless you want to look like a pledge for a southern frat.  Personally, I have polos in navy, white, pink/grey stripes, teal, and black.  For examples of how they should look see the two examples below.

Arnold Palmer showing off the biceps….

Matt Kemp showing why he dates Rihanna in a striped polo (which are very popular these days)