It is amazing how things have changed at a turn of a century, and the way we all have evolved from traditional ideas of lifestyle to new intelligently improved modern era of better living. From technology, politics, fashion to quality of civilization, there is practically no area that has not been affected by the trends and transformation of past 100 years. Apart from everything else, as every decade gave way to another one down the line, basketball uniforms have changed and been modified as much as uniforms and rules of every other outdoor games in the world. Here we are going to enjoy the roller coaster ride of trends and transformations that took place and redefined the comfort of the game played in the basketball court over the years.
A journey down the history lane
The world of basketball game has revolved around the changes as far as its uniform is concerned. We have noticed dramatic transformations and trends such as custom changes in hemlines, length of shorts, addition of accessories, improved footwear and headbands. They all have contributed to giving the game an extra coolness, comfort and look and the way it needs to be played.
The fashion ride of basketball has always kept bringing outstanding improvements to the uniforms worn for the game. As the time matured, so was the design, shapes and length in order to reflect both style and convenience. Basketball uniforms have gone through incredible transition that entails signature apparel and baggy outfit and many more – all designed with a sense of comfort and functionality.
Introducing new materials: Synthetic Fabrics
Post-war era was full of innovative thoughts about how things can take a better look and shape to add more values to our life. After chaotic decade of ‘40s, synthetic material changed the outfit of the basketball players and difficult wool uniforms became the throwback of the past. By the mid-1960s, pants took the length of shorts and were made from thinner and much cozy polyester and nylon versions. Another change the history of basketball uniforms established was about shirts that took the form and look of track-style jerseys. Belts worn with satin shorts in ‘50s were replaced by elastic waistband in ‘60s. Easy-to-launder Polyester-nylon blend gave us the new avatar of basketball players in combination with lighter jerseys and shorts. Can you imagine them darting across the court wearing wool and drenched in hot sweat now?
The era of lifestyle: 1960-1988
With significant rise and fame of freestyle of 1960s, the era grabbed a lot of attention as basketball uniforms took another shift and grew lighter and form fitting. Players were inspired to wear long, striped tube socks as they run and jumped around in the court. Another thing players liked to see changed was the way they handle their hair during the game. In order to keep their long hair off their eyes, they had to resort to headbands that kept their longer hairstyle from plaguing them while they jumped high to dunk the ball in the net. During the time of late 60s jerseys got more colorful with outstanding fit and design making the game of Basketball an American sports pride.
Identity trends and special accessories
By the time it was 70’s, and as the 70’s forged towards it end, trends in basketball uniforms observed bigger transformations as players were prepared to expect more. With enthusiastically supported hairstyles and well-visible makeup, 1980’s brought riveting color schemes. But through most part of ‘70s and early 90’s, tight-fitting attributes of shorts and jerseys did not go through much of a change. Larry Bird, a star player, has set the standard earlier, but Michael Jordan was determined to alter the definition of sportswear. Sports stage of ’70s and ‘80s were enriched with classic trends including headbands and legwarmers. Beside its aesthetic importance, they also played a thermal science helping regulate the body temperature and improving the performance of athletes during the demanding game in the court. Headbands and wristbands were thought to be essential to stop perspiration from trickling into the eyes. In a way, trends and changes then had something to do with scientific logics and thoughtful considerations.
The unique uniforms for sportswomen
Unlike today’s sportswomen who wear basketball uniforms that nearly replicate men’s, it was not the case during 19th century. Women today wear small size of skirts and sleeveless shirts. In that era, women who played sports wore shirts with long skirts and slippers. Recall those bloomers sported by women as uniform in early days of 19th century. Bloomers worn and fastened right above the knee prevented serious injuries while getting engaged in a game. Uniqueness arrived over the years as hemlines grew short, which shortened women’s basketball uniforms.
Michael Jordan’s special insistence on baggy shorts
If you can time-travel in your mind to jump to the year of 1987, you will have the legendary Michael Jordan requesting that the sports manufacturer Champion should make sports shorts that are a little longer and comfortable to wear. Champion made all of NBA’s basketball uniforms then, and Jordan insisted that longer version of shorts will help them avoid tugging and provide good room and ease especially when they bent over breathlessly or perform certain springs while playing in the court. The star player’s request got approved, and the new look and fittings of basketball shorts became enthusiastic choice for many players who unanimously agreed to Michael’s suggestion. The next year brought about the change that Michael desired – Champion came up with the ultimate uniforms version that basketball players still use today.
Custom style for current trends: what is here to stay?
In retrospect, we have seen how basketball uniforms have changed and set new standards and trends. This implies that new trends will incessantly evolve. For more than ten years, loose style of baggy uniforms have almost gained the attention needed to be a signature of the game. The chief reason for this is the fact that it allows generous room and comfort players need to jump and dash as they play basketball. Shoes are no exception in this and have experienced crazy experimentation. Advent of leather and other modern-day materials still continue to upgrade the trends; however, classic style baggies are here to stay as we can see.
Sportswear outfit manufacturers nowadays create custom styles, such as custom baseball jerseys, and experiment with different ideas that may lead them to amazing design. They invest their creative efforts in order to improve convenience, performance and flexibility athletes need while getting on their game. We have reached this far in basketball uniforms trends. May be we can expect another Michael Jordan recommending another long standing trend for future game.
