Cubs 40s style
I’ve long been mildly obsessed with the uniforms worn by the boys of summer. I notice every special-edition cap, commemorative patch or throw-back jersey. Perhaps it’s the fashionista in me, searching for style on the diamond. A few of my favorite fashion facts from the game:
Pinstripes: Long-associated with the evil empire known as the New York Yankees, baseball legend had it that the stripes were adopted to make Babe Ruth appear well, slimmer. (This is a myth as the Yanks began wearing the pinstripes before the dynasty-creating trade with the Red Sox.) It is believed that the Cubs introduced the pinstripe.
The worst uniforms ever:Were selected by the Go-Go White Sox of the 70s, who thought that short shorts belonged on grown men playing ball. (See photo to really absorb this infamous fashion faux pas.) Luckily, it was only a one-day “don’t.”
Pitcher’s choice: I love that the starting pitcher gets to select how the entire team dresses for the game. Lilly goes for the classic look; Big Z always chooses the alternate blue. And the other 24 men follow suit.
Short or long?Your choice. Unlike any other sport, players can select different styles for their apparel. Both full-length and knee-length (see Alfonso Soriano) pants might appear on the field at the same time. And I always wonder about the “switch-pantsers” who go back and forth. Is it for comfort, the temperature or respecting the streak? (don’t get me started on superstitions).
The throw-back:Just this week the Reds and White Sox players honored the Civil Rights movement by returning to uniforms designed for the 1964 season. Very cool.
Thinking about St. Paddy’s day:In Chicago we love the Irish (though we don’t seem to be enjoying their luck yet this season.) The Brooklyn Dodgers swapped “Dodger Blue” trim to green in the 30s; many teams have followed suit with kelly green uniforms and merchandise.
Name and number:The first numbered jerseys reflected the player’s position in the batting order (so Ruth three, Gehrig four). I’m partial to 13, so happy to see Andres Blanco embracing the tabooed number.
Cool bears: As fashion evolved over the past century, so did the Cubs bear logo. Walking bear, batting bear, fighting bear and the one I affectionately call crazy bear.
Fan fashion:Cubs fans wear their hearts on their sleeves, and heads and feet. I’ve seen logo’d purses, jewelry, golf shoes, ski masks (purchased in April, hopefully need again in October), dresses, bowling shirts, socks, gloves, swimsuits. One of our long-time neighbors in Section 409 used to wear a crowd-stopping fez hat. And I recently succumbed and purchased the Cubs jeans. Loyalty in denim.
Denim display of loyalty
Fashion emergency at Comiskey Park
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow — I learned lots! Great post Captain Susie.
My favorite Cubs’ jersey ever is the slightly-odd, reverse pinstripe away uniforms from the 70’s and early 80’s. (Baby blue jersey with white stripes.)
I still remember Bill Buckner limping toward second with his terrible legs in that uniform, trying to stretch a single to a double.
Love the fashion emergency pictures….classic.
I’m a fan of the shorter pants, seems more like “official” baseball uniforms….however, I usually comment on the teams “outfits” and my husband has to correct me every time I say it. And, we always get Irish inspired hats or t’s in our house every year, can’t go without…if ya gotta dress green on St. Pat’s day why not have it be with Cubs logos?