Since the dawn of competitive sports, men have been donning clothing emblazoned with their favorite teams. Normally, these shirts (or “jerseys,” as the kids are calling them nowadays) are reserved for gatherings at the local watering hole or trips to that famous baseball stadium a few towns over.

But as the old saying goes, change is the only constant in life. So when jerseys started popping up on and off Fashion Week runways around the world, critics and fans alike started to take notice. Enter two fashion editors from Esquire.

Image via esquire.com

High-end brands like DKNY and rag & bone have updated jerseys by creating tighter silhouettes and pairing them with tailored denim and leather jackets. So is it appropriate to wear them as a fashion statement?

Andrew Luecke, digital style editor at esquire.com, says yes, and his colleague, Max Berlinger, vehemently disagrees. “Everything men wear is appropriated from somewhere else. A guy shouldn’t stop wearing jeans because he isn’t a miner,” Luecke explains. “But if you won’t wear a baseball jersey, what about soccer jerseys? Public School has explored them. They’re far more versatile. Plus, it’s the World Cup, Max. Embrace the world’s sport.”

What’s my take on the argument? Men of the universe, wear your jerseys proud. (Yet responsibly. Translation: no baggy shorts!)

By Lindsey Doolittle, Men’s Assistant Fashion Editor

What’s your take on off-field jerseys? Tweet us at @ruelala to share. 

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