Baseball, America’s favourite pastime. From the Dominican Republic to Japan, baseball is widely popular and growing in popularity outside of its home country. Baseball’s reach also continues to grow within the realm of fashion. Snapbacks to varsity jackets, here’s a few ways Baseball influenced fashion.
MLB being the oldest sport in America, holds huge heritage and with that some of the most passionate fans from all walks of life. It is a right of passage to support your own local team and represent it to the full. You from Philly? You support the Phillies. Boston? That’s the Red Sox. Therefore, Baseball has become synonymous within the culture not only for fashion but indicating who you are and where you represent.
Perhaps the most iconic cap on the planet, the Yankees Cap. In the mid-to-late 90s the iconic interlocking NY was endorsed by Spike Lee, Jay-Z and Wu-Tang Clan to name a few, creating a frenzy for snapbacks and fitted caps; this was pivotal in pushing the emblem to the heights of popularity it sits at today. The cap has been spotted in rural villages to megacities, and while many who wear it may not know of the baseball team, the Yankees cap has become the symbol of New York.
Another wardrobe staple with origins in baseball is the varsity jacket. Originating from the prestigious Harvard University in the 1930s, it wasn’t until the late 80s when the jacket would break out into mainstream popular culture. From Michael Jackson to N.W.A, variations of the jacket were everywhere. Every brand you could think of began to offer their own take on the trend; Stüssy notably released their Homeboy jacket which promoted fellow streetwear labels such as Supreme to follow.
From the playing field to the silver screen, Baseball’s influence on fashion has staked its claim and position in pop culture. From movies, musicians and artists, all repping their own teams, It’s a sport that shaped the culture and trends we’ve become accustomed to in the world of fashion today and without it, fashion simply wouldn’t be the same.
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