TopJLax

Earlier on in the year we started a segment called TopJFlow that takes a light hearted look at the current fashion trends circulating through the lacrosse community. The section is aimed to point you in the direction of "what's hot" and to avoid some of the typical pit-falls of product choice and product placement that mean you'll end up with zero flow. After all, half of lacrosse is about looking good, and we all know it's performance enhancing to some degree to look the nuts. Our first section was on Helmet trends, today we move down to Jerseys. Check it out after the jump.

We're going to take a look at three features behind having good jersey flow. The first is the manufacturer and design, then how to wear the jersey, and finally any accessories.

The first and most fundamental question is the manufacturer of your jersey as this is the number one biggest driver of how sweet your uniform will be. Now you may or may not have a choice in this, but should you do, here are some of our recommendations...

Obviously all the jerseys on the left are pretty sweet, because they are made by your big names like Nike, Underarmour, Adidas, Brine, and Warrior that we are all know well and are familiar with. If you go with a manufacturer such as this then you are not going to have any problems looking sweet, although you are likely going to have to order through the US, which is complicated and involves import duty.

It's worth remembering that there are a number of UK based manufacturers out there that are popular with the lacrosse public such as Rad Sheep, Rebel Lacrosse, And the Fit2Win gear to name a few. Not to say that these guys can't make damn fine jerseys, but the good thing about the US manufacturers is that they dominate the college and Pro market where all the latest fashions are. So if you go with one of them, your chances of looking fly are maximised. On the other hand you'll have to pay-up, lead times are longer, and it ain't as easy to deal with a far off company if things go wrong.

So what are the keys to good design?

1. Keep it simple.
2. Colour choice (white is in right now).
3. Use college lettering for the team name.
4. Use piping to accentuate the fit.
5. Go with quality over price.


An important factor is the way the details are applied to the jersey. We'd suggest tackle twill embroidery for that true authentic feel, and as second we'd delve into sublimation, which is a dye process that gives you much more freedom of design... think MLL jerseys with huge logo's on and patterns.

Simple, non-complicated jersey designs will likely be timeless classics, allowing you freedom to express yourself elsewhere, on the helmet or gloves. The key is not to over complicate the whole look, too much going on across the board will just confuse.

Finally whatever you do stay away from cheap "stock" jerseys with no stripes/piping using only one block colour from a company you have never heard from. It could work out well, but more than likely you are going to be disappointed and look like an U-12 team.

This sounds like a silly topic, since the majority of the way the jersey fits is going to be out of your hands once you have chosen a manufacturer. This is true, to a certain extent, because there are things a laxer can do to avoid looking like a douche. Guaranteed you'll recognise some of the below.

BUZZ LIGHT-YEAR SHOULDER PADS

We are not playing American Football. Repeat, there is no need to buy the hugest, bulkiest shoulder pads in the world and have them popping up under your Lacrosse jersey so you look like you're about charge off to infinity and beyond crying out how your collarbone is protected from no matter what.

Buy some lightweight shoulder pads, that fit to the natural curve of your shoulders, and let the jersey hang loosely off those manly shoulders. Don't have manly shoulders? Well hit the gym, do some military presses, follow a Coach Dave workout and get some.

CROP TOPS

You are not a girl, and you play an awesome sport. So why buy a jersey so small it replicates favourite summer attire of your missus? That's right, a jersey is not a crop top, and it shouldn't ride up above your belly button. This may be because of the reason above having too big shoulder pads, or it could just be that your imitating Peter Crouch in the growth category. Either way, get a longer jersey dude. 

To complete the upper torso flow are a few accessories that are essential, or beneficial to good flow.

Arm pads

For midfielders and defenseman these ideally should be small elbow pads that pop out just from the bottom of the jersey sleeve. There's no need here for huge bulky pads. If you are worried about cross-checks to the forearm, then hit the gym, strengthen them, and as soon as you are a beast like Paul Rabil then steel and titanium will bounce off you anyway!

If you are an attackman then you are permitted to have bigger pads that leave no sign of skin exposed...after all you're taking the most heat. Never should anyone else have such huge pads though if you are trying to maintain your flowstandards.

The grey t-shirt

It keeps you slightly warm in winter, and provides a layer of comfort below the pads in summer. It also provides a seamless transition between the jersey and short, underlining that here stops the jersey, and now begins the ultimate baggy shorts. That's right, having 2-3inches of grey t-shirt popping out below your jersey is good flow, and should very much be initiated where possible. Fine, grey can be amended to white, or black if the jersey colour is light. We may go even far as team colours if appropriate, but it should never be the same colour as your jersey or shorts, otherwise it won't highlight contours. Understood? Good...