Hockey has been around for more than a century, and the sport is as popular as ever, especially now that more people are participating in sporting events. Hockey jerseys are an essential part of the sport’s attire; they serve as an identifier of team affiliation and pride, as well as an indicator of healthfulness. In other words, hockey jerseys tell the world a lot about a team, its players, and its fans.
What type of fabric are hockey jerseys made of? There are five primary options: polyester, cotton, acrylic, silk, and none of these. Some jerseys are constructed of a combination of two or more of these fabrics.
Although there are no set rules or regulations regarding the manufacture of NHL player jerseys, the league’s apparel company, Reebok, mandates that every team’s jerseys must consist of a certain percentage of recycled fibers. This is one way the NHL tries to reduce its impact on the environment. Other professional sports leagues, such as the NFL, require their teams to use different materials for their jerseys. This is mainly due to the fact that the jerseys are more likely to become dirty or damaged during play, especially if the materials are not durable enough to withstand hard contact with other players or the elements. This dirt and grime can cause the colors to run, which is not an attractive look for a basketball or football jersey.
Table of Contents
The Varsity Jacket Revival
Just like in the heyday of American football, many collegiate sports fans are showing an increased interest in the varsity jacket. The varsity jacket was first introduced into sports attire in the early 20th century, and it became a symbol of student activism during the Vietnam War. Since then, the style has mostly been used by students and graduates of universities. During the 2010s, the varsity jacket revival began, and today, it is commonly seen on the athletic shoulders of college football, basketball, and baseball players. It is also being adopted by some professional athletes as well.
Carrying The Torch
Some college and professional sports teams have not only revived the use of the varsity jacket in their athletic attire, but they have also taken it a step further, wearing the jacket as a cape. The Denver Nuggets became the first professional basketball team to wear the varsity jacket as a cape, and other fans have followed suit, using the style as a form of artistic expression. Many artists have even created artwork specifically for this look. While the cape version of the varsity jacket has been around for a while, it has recently become a way of life for some sports fans.
Mesh And Molding
Not all jerseys are created equal, and some are built better than others. There are several different types of fabrics used in the construction of hockey jerseys, including mesh and molding. The two are important to understanding the varied applications and purposes of hockey jerseys. Mesh is a type of fabric that is specifically designed to stretch, allowing the garment to move with the person wearing it. It is also the primary component of many activewear and underwear garments, as well as the outerwear portion of park and beach clothing. When used for athletic wear, the mesh fabric is usually combined with a more traditional type of textile, such as cotton or polyester.
Molding, on the other hand, is a type of textile that is designed to be sewn into a desired shape, resulting in a non-stretchable item. It is commonly used in the construction of durable water-repellant (DWR) jackets and rain jackets, as well as for outdoor furniture and even pillowcases. MTL jerseys are generally less stretchable than their mesh-backed counterparts, but they are more durable and less prone to wearing out over time. One other important factor to consider when it comes to jerseys is the collar. Just like with a tshirt, the collar of a hockey jersey is an essential part of the look. It can range from being slightly open to having a small collar with a hook-and-eye closure. The most common collars in use today are the ones with the adjustable strap, which can be worn across the chest or the neckline. Some fans choose to express their affiliation with a specific team by decorating the inside of their collar with the team’s colors and logo. This is one fashion statement that will never go out of style.
100% Polyester Vs. Combinations
Hockey jerseys are not just limited to a single type of fabric, as some teams choose to mix and match different fibers for their jerseys. One of the most distinctive looks to ever emerge from the NHL involved the New York Rangers, who adopted a polyester blend jersey in 1998. The forward-thinking design allowed the team to ditch the traditional cotton jersey, resulting in an entirely new look for the club. Some teams, such as the Dallas Stars, follow suit, using both polyester and cotton for their jerseys, with the latter serving as the mainstay for the team’s home garb. The Pittsburgh Penguins switched to a majority-polyester uniform, with a small amount of cotton used for the collar and arm striping. This jersey became known as the “Marquise” uniform, due to the combination of cream and chocolate colors used for the striping and collar, respectively.
The shift to polyester was a proactive move on the part of the NHL. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, teams mostly wore the same uniform year after year, making it easier for fans to identify with a specific club. Mixing things up with jersey colors and patterns helps prevent this sense of déjà vu, keeping fans interested in the fashion choices of their favorite teams. Additionally, many fans appreciate the lighter feel of a polyester uniform, compared to the heavier feeling of a cotton or acrylic jersey.