Customization: the future of fashion?

                In my past blog posts I have talked about how many sports brands offer the opportunity to customize shoes. The option to customize numerous different articles of clothing seems to be the big thing lately, and I think that is because people feel the need to express themselves more and stand out from the cookie-cutter mold. People want to be different, and to provide that, sports companies use customization. In a post I wrote back in November, The Beauty of Customization, I told of how I customized my basketball shoes for the then upcoming season. Now that my high school basketball season has come to an end, I am once again relying on the customization options to design new jerseys for our season next year.
                To start the process, we met as a team with a sales rep for Adidas and Under Armour, where he showed us the different styles of jerseys available. Most of them were not in my school’s colors so it was hard to in vision how cool the jerseys would actually look, so that was where the “beauty of customization” came into play. The sales rep, showed us how to access Adidas customization tool, mi adidas, and from there we could access the numerous styles sitting in front of us, but this time we could view how they would look in green and gold. Not only is the customization tools offered by these sports companies fun to mess around with to try crazy combinations, but they also give the buyer the option to assess all their creations side by side so they can see exactly what they are buying, exactly how they want it, and exactly how much each creation would cost. It makes the buying process much easier, because there isn’t any doubt on what you are purchasing.
                Obviously within the customization site, you could easily change the colors of the jerseys to match what we wanted, but there were also many other variables that the buyer has the option to change. You could decide where you want the team name placed on the front, where the numbers would be, what the size and font the numbers and letters would be, where you wanted to place your team logo, and so on. Just on one jersey style there are millions of options on how to make your team’s own unique jersey so you can stand out from the rest. Now realistically with all these choices there is also a price to it, which can get pretty high the more options you add. But it is nice because as you are creating your jerseys and you add more options, you can see the price adding up off to the side, so you know that if you got with option 1 over option 2 you could save $10, which adds up when you are buying a team set of jerseys.

                Customization is the future of not only the sports fashion world, but the fashion world in general. People want to be different. People want to stand out from the crowd. People want to be noticed in that one-of-a-kind clothing and know that they won’t show up to a party wearing the same thing as the next guy. Being different is just what we are as people and the ability to customize clothing to fit our wants and needs, satisfies us. Every time I’ve used a customization site, whether it be for personal items or as a team, the process has been an easy one because you get to dictate exactly want you want and how you want it.

Casual Sportswear Shoes

          Shoes are probably my favorite article in the fashion world, as is with most girls. I can’t even begin to count how many shoes I have in general, not just sporty shoes. As you know, I have a great collection of Nike tennis shoes from my previous blog posts, but I also like to wear what I would describe as the casual shoes in sportswear.

Galaxy Authentic Low Pro Vans

          I am in love with Vans. I don’t know what it is about them, but I probably wear them 4 out of the 7 days during the week. I like how simple all their styles are. But, even those they have simple styles, they have every pattern or color imaginable when it comes to the designs of the shoes, and that's what makes them stand out from the rest. I’ve seen floral, galaxy, tribal, and rainbow tie-dye designs just to name a few. I myself own four pairs of the Authentic Low Pro Vans, but I only have them in the basic colors like white, black, gray, and navy. But, this summer I am really looking to expand my collection to the more vibrant colors like pink and bright yellow!

White Low-Top Converse

          Another type of casual shoes that have definitely made their comeback in the fashion world these past few years would be Converse. The most popular color among a lot of my friends and teenage girls in general is the classic white. I also have black and dark gray pairs as well. Converse are a classic shoe that will probably never go out of style and they come in both low and high tops. I mean, when you think of any old shoes the first image that pops into my mind would be the original black Converse.

          There are numerous different types of casual shoes that fit into the sportswear category like Sperry’s, but Vans and Converse are the ones I am most familiar with. Lately I have been wearing them a lot more than my beloved Nike Running tennis shoes. Crazy right?!?! But, if you are seriously looking for a reliable pair of shoes that you can wear with literally anything, I would definitely check out what Vans and Converse have to offer.

 

Images Courtesy of www.zappos.com and www.conversehighsneakersoutlet.com

Are Labels and Brand Names really that Important?

            I know I am guilty of this all the time. Just go read my blog posts and it is evident that brand labels are an important part of my posts, whether it’s Nike, Adidas, etc. But, I want to make a point that they are not everything. They don’t define who you are. They don’t determine whether you are worthy enough. They aren’t the end all be all of any type of fashion. Clothes are clothes.
            The brands you wear do not define or determine who you are as a person. Just because you wear knock off Nike sweatshirts, it doesn’t mean you are good enough to fit in with the people who wear the actual Nike brand clothes. If you were to find a knock off of an equal or better quality than the actual sweatshirt that I was wearing for example, I would be more impressed with you than myself, because you found a cheaper a more effective way to spend your money. Sometimes when buying certain types of sportswear, it’s all about how smart and efficiently you use your money, because the total cost can add up quickly when you are only looking for brand name stuff.
            Another point I want to make about labels and clothes is that they don’t define your worth. I remember back in middle school when I played AAU basketball, my team was at a regional tournament in Chicago. When we got on the court for one of our games, my team and I thought we were about to have an easy win because we were playing this small town team, with old reversible $5 jerseys, and we thought, “Oh, this won’t even be a game, they don’t know how to play basketball,” and boy were we wrong. We ended up losing a close game with them because we had underestimated them. This is just one example of how the saying, you can’t judge and book by its cover, is true with anything. You can’t judge or stereotype somebody just because they aren’t wearing the brand name, up to date clothing. If you want to get to know somebody, you have to talk to them and figure out their personality.

           This post that was supposed to be about sportswear and labels, turned in to a life lesson that I was not expecting. And I think that is what the main point in this post is really about, even though I didn’t realize it when I first began writing the post. I think what really needs to be remembered from this post is that spending more money for name brand clothes, doesn’t define you and determine your personal wealth. Yes, there are some people in the world who will judge you based on the brands you wear (and sometimes I even catch myself doing this) but a good person will judge you based on your genuine self and personality.



***NOTE: I just wanted to let you know that even though I did make this blog post about how labels aren't everything, that doesn't mean I will no longer post about name brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour because they are an integral part of my blog. When I review products or talk about the up and coming news in sports fashion, a lot of it will be centered on these name brands because they have such a wide array of topics to cover. I just wanted to write this post for those who may not be able to afford name brand clothes and let them know that they are no less of a person because of it.

Vest Takeover

Goodbye North Face fuzzy fleece jackets, and hello North Face vests. Yes that’s right, I said vests. I can’t even begin to count how many people I have seen wearing these vests at school in just the past week. I’ve seen vests from basic black, to purple, and even aqua blue. These vests’ have rapidly rose in popularity following the holidays and continue to take over the classic winter coat.
                Even though I don’t own a North Face vest, I am absolutely in love with them. They can be worn in casual or even semi-dressy situations. A lot of my friends like to pair them with a thin sweatshirt or a long sleeve t-shirt. They are also nice to wear due to the weather we have been having here where I live. We’ve been staying in the upper 30s lower 40s for the past few weeks, and these vests seem to keep people perfectly warm. Another thing I like about them is that they aren’t just worn as a coat to keep you warm, but they can be worn as everyday clothing to school or work.
                 I am looking into buying my own vest and there are so many options available. The original North Face vest retails between $100-$150. As I have said in my earlier post, Staying Warm this Winter Season, where I talked about the different types of North Face jackets, the prices can be seen as high compared to other brands like Columbia Sportswear, but they are definitely worth it is a quality brand. Also these North Face vests come in many different patterns and colors to fit exactly what you are looking for.

               If you want keep up with the latest trends in fashion, I would definitely recommend at looking in getting yourself a vest. It doesn’t necessarily have to be North Face, that is the brand I just decided to do my feature on, but there are other brands like Columbia Sportswear and Spyder that offer great deals on vests just like the North Face ones. These vests are comfy, have good insulation, and you can wear them with almost anything; they are the perfect addition to any outfit.

 

Images Courtesy of www.lyst.com

 

What is Lululemon Athletica?

          Everybody knows that following the holidays, you always have to wear the new clothes you received, it’s like an unwritten rule. You want to show your new wardrobe off to all your friends, I mean who wouldn’t want to make others jealous. So, with everybody heading back to school this past week, the normal array of new clothes made its way through the hallways from new shoes to sweaters to beanies (this year’s new fashion statement). But, one new clothing brand that stood out to me was Lululemon Athletic or just Lululemon for short. I’ve heard that name tossed around in the past, but it wasn’t really a big thing at my school until now. So for today’s blog, I decided to interview a friend of mine about her experience with Lululemon.

 

1) When/Where did you first hear of Lululemon?

I first heard about Lululemon last year from my sister who goes to college down in Texas and is often in Oklahoma which in the big cities of those states stores are popular, its fairly new so the stores are usually in larger cities so that’s why I hadn’t really heard about it yet.

2) What has your buying experience at Lululemon been like?

I absolutely love everything Lululemon sells and everything is so easy to purchase whether it’s online or in the store and when you go into the store the people there have so much information to offer you about the clothing and items and also about yoga.

3) Do you do most of your shopping for Lululemon online, or at one of their stores?

I do most of my shopping online because the closest store to us is 2+ hours away, but every time I’m in a big city I always look to see if there are stores around and almost always stop and shop.

4) How would you describe the prices of the clothes at Lululemon?

Some may see the prices of Lululemon as expensive compared to those of other brands but in my opinion the quality and styles of the clothing is worth what you’re paying… you are for sure getting what you pay for.

5) What is your favorite item of clothing at Lululemon?

I have a lot of their styles, but my favorite are the Wunder Under pants whether they are long or cropped I just love them! I also am a huge fan of their headbands which are of top quality

6) What type of person shops at Lululemon?

Lululemon sells items for both men and women and also have an off branch of their brand for kids, in my opinion anyone can wear Lululemon.

7) Do you think Lululemon may become the next big sportswear brand, like Nike or Adidas?

I think once people start hearing about Lululemon more they’re going to see how great it is and will start purchasing more and more and will indeed become a big brand like Nike or Adidas.

8) Is there anything else you have to say about your experiences with Lululemon?

A lot of people have yet to really hear about Lululemon but I would suggest it to anyone, I wear it all the time and I absolutely love everything so it’s worth the shot of trying!

           Personally, I’ve been wanting to check out Lululemon and this interview I had with my friend, only makes me want to go even more. As seen from this interview Lululemon doesn’t just pertain to one group of people. When I first heard about it, I assumed it was a women’s clothing line, so I was surprised to learn that they had both a men’s and kids clothing line. Also I have heard that the prices can be more on the expensive side, but I like what my friend said about how the clothing is worth the price, because as compared to the prices of Nike, I feel like there isn’t too much of a difference, and I know that what I am getting is quality.

         I am excited to share this post because I want to get the word out about Lululemon. It is an up and coming brand that I can see becoming one of the frontrunners in the sports wear world. I know that I will definitely seek out a Lululemon store next time I’m in a big city.

The Power of Wristbands

             When one thinks of the fight with cancer, a little yellow, rubber bracelet, with the word LIVESTRONG etched on it comes to mind. It doesn’t fight the cancer for you, it’s not some type of cure or treatment, but it still has an important role during the battle with cancer. It’s a reminder every day to those with cancer that they are strong, when they feel weak; a reminder that they will live, even when death seems near. This wristband is powerful. Millions of people throughout the world wear it for their own battles or in support of their loved ones who are battling.

             The topic for this blog post came to mind the other day when I was at a local high school for my basketball game. Some students were selling wristbands for a classmate of theirs that had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was in the hospital. As I was walking past the table, I remember thinking, why in the world would they be selling wristbands for their classmate, why not just try and raise money through a raffle during the game, but then it hit me. I realized that they weren’t selling the wristbands just as a way to make money. They were selling them so that it would be a constant reminder to those who wear them what the cause they supported was fighting it for.
            That’s what these wristbands are for. They aren’t elaborate. They aren’t something outside of the box. They are simple, inexpensive, and most of all, they are effective in doing their jobs. I categorized these wristbands into sportswear because athletes all over the world wear them in support of whatever cause keeps them moving, whatever cause keeps them on the right. Even though these wristbands can seem insignificant and sometimes useless, you must remember they have power and meaning.

Image Courtesy of www.flicr.com

 

My Dilemma with NIke Soccer Cleats

            As a soccer player, I follow all different types of soccer accounts on social media, so I am always up to date with the latest happenings in the soccer world. Every time there is an upset, I know about it. Every time there is a great goal, I know about it. Every time new soccer apparel is released, I know about it. Nothing goes on in the world of soccer that I don’t eventually find out about.
            Recently, my Twitter newsfeed has been filled with a new pair of cleats that has been released by Nike. They are a part of Nike’s Black History Month Collection, which I did a blog post on last week.

 

 I am in love with these cleats. It was as if Nike had read my mind and knew exactly how I wanted my cleats to be designed. But, the only problem is, is that I CAN’T EVEN WEAR THEM.
             This has been an ongoing love/hate relationship between me and Nike. I can tell you with 100% confidence that Nike by far creates the better soccer cleats when compared to Adidas. But, the issue I have with Nike, is that my feet are too wide, so when I do wear Nike cleats I end up with really bad blisters and they are just painful to wear. Now, you’re probably thinking, “Oh, she just hasn’t worn them long enough to break them in so they are loose enough to comfortably fit her feet.” Yes, I thought the same thing, so I continued to wear the last pair of Nike cleats for longer than I usually would have, but they never seemed to get any better. Now this is not just a personal issue that only effects myself, I’ve heard from many other girls who play soccer, have had this same issue. The weird thing is, is that for everyday shoes and my basketball shoes, I only wear Nike and they fit perfectly fine, so it must just be something different with their soccer cleats.
               Don’t get me wrong, in thinking that I hate Adidas cleats, because believe me, I wouldn’t be buying them if I absolutely hated them. I just think that lately Nike has had the better designs. I like the color schemes they use and the fact that you can customize with the Nike ID option.  Hopefully soon, Nike will answer the cry of hundreds of soccer girls who have run into this issue, because I know that if Nike began to create wider cleats, I would definitely start buying some of their soccer products. So here it is Nike, “PLEASE, will you make your soccer cleats just a little bit bigger, because there are many soccer players out there who would love to buy your cleats, but they would rather not suffer from the pain and blisters that go along with them.”

Image Courtesy of www.soccercleats101.com