New Authentic Wool Football Jerseys Honor the Sport's Earliest Teams
Seattle, WA, November 13, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Ebbets Field Flannels, known for their authentic historic baseball wear, introduces its Vintage Gridiron football jerseys, a limited production line of finely knit shirts inspired by early 20th century American football teams. Made on Ebbets’ own knitting machine and produced in runs as few as six pieces, the jerseys are authentic down to the very last detail, created from careful study of original antique garments. All manufacturing, including knitting, sewing and decorating, is completed by Ebbets employees in its Seattle workshop.
The jerseys are knit using American Rambouillet yarn, an equivalent to merino that is considered the finest wool for athletic garments because of its consistency, strength, softness and beauty.
“Wool does not necessarily mean bulky or itchy,” said Jerry Cohen, President of Ebbets Field Flannels. “Once upon a time, even bicycle clothing and bathing suits were made of wool knit.” Cohen added that up until World War II, wool was the “go to” sports fabric, prized for its wicking capabilities, durability, heat retention and comfort.
Because football players of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s wore very little padding compared to today, their uniforms were more form-fitting, styled more like a sweater than a contemporary oversized jersey. Ebbets included a slight taper in its pattern to replicate the historical jerseys, resulting in a fit that is complementary on men and women. Jerseys are decorated in the simple style of the originals, and are free of extra logos, patches or tags, so that nothing that detracts from the elegance and aesthetic essence of the historic garments.
Honoring rare and eclectic teams including the Ironton Tanks, Duluth Eskimos and Rock Island Independents, early teams from Boston, Baltimore, Chicago and New York are also represented in the collection. The new shirts harken back to the early and mid 20th century, when the NFL was only one of several professional football leagues, including the first American Football League, the All-American Football Conference in the 1940s, the Pacific Coast Football League, the Dixie League and numerous others.
Every jersey in the collection has a story, including the Los Angeles Bulldogs shirt, which honors the little known fact that prior to breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson played professional football for the Bulldogs.
Because of its limited run manufacturing capabilities, Ebbets will be able to offer retailers and other brands customization based on its vintage jersey pattern with runs as small as just 12 pieces. The line has already been picked up by J. Crew, who debuts jerseys representing the American Football League New York Yankees, 1926 Rock Island Independents and the All-America Football Conference Brooklyn Dodgers in its Tribeca-based men’s shop The Liquor Store beginning Nov. 12. The jerseys are also available online at www.jcrew.com.
“These really are the finest vintage football jerseys available,” said Cohen. “They’re luxurious yet restrained and an authentic tribute to the gutsy, enduring spirit of our country’s early football teams and players.” Cohen added that Ebbets Field Flannels plans to soon follow with a knit hockey collection as well as offering other types of athletic sweaters in 2015, including baseball shawl-collar, vintage collegiate, pullover crew neck and v-neck styles.
About Ebbets Field Flannels
Still run by its original founders, Ebbets Field Flannels is committed to bringing the quality, beauty and craftsmanship of mid-Century American athletic garments to a 21st Century public. From its headquarters in Seattle, Wash., Ebbets makes vintage jerseys, jackets and caps the old fashioned way, using original materials and manufacturing techniques. The company focuses on non-major league athletic teams, such as the Negro leagues and the pre-1958 Pacific Coast league, bringing to life relatively unknown players and chapters of American sports history. Additional information is available at ebbets.com.
The jerseys are knit using American Rambouillet yarn, an equivalent to merino that is considered the finest wool for athletic garments because of its consistency, strength, softness and beauty.
“Wool does not necessarily mean bulky or itchy,” said Jerry Cohen, President of Ebbets Field Flannels. “Once upon a time, even bicycle clothing and bathing suits were made of wool knit.” Cohen added that up until World War II, wool was the “go to” sports fabric, prized for its wicking capabilities, durability, heat retention and comfort.
Because football players of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s wore very little padding compared to today, their uniforms were more form-fitting, styled more like a sweater than a contemporary oversized jersey. Ebbets included a slight taper in its pattern to replicate the historical jerseys, resulting in a fit that is complementary on men and women. Jerseys are decorated in the simple style of the originals, and are free of extra logos, patches or tags, so that nothing that detracts from the elegance and aesthetic essence of the historic garments.
Honoring rare and eclectic teams including the Ironton Tanks, Duluth Eskimos and Rock Island Independents, early teams from Boston, Baltimore, Chicago and New York are also represented in the collection. The new shirts harken back to the early and mid 20th century, when the NFL was only one of several professional football leagues, including the first American Football League, the All-American Football Conference in the 1940s, the Pacific Coast Football League, the Dixie League and numerous others.
Every jersey in the collection has a story, including the Los Angeles Bulldogs shirt, which honors the little known fact that prior to breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson played professional football for the Bulldogs.
Because of its limited run manufacturing capabilities, Ebbets will be able to offer retailers and other brands customization based on its vintage jersey pattern with runs as small as just 12 pieces. The line has already been picked up by J. Crew, who debuts jerseys representing the American Football League New York Yankees, 1926 Rock Island Independents and the All-America Football Conference Brooklyn Dodgers in its Tribeca-based men’s shop The Liquor Store beginning Nov. 12. The jerseys are also available online at www.jcrew.com.
“These really are the finest vintage football jerseys available,” said Cohen. “They’re luxurious yet restrained and an authentic tribute to the gutsy, enduring spirit of our country’s early football teams and players.” Cohen added that Ebbets Field Flannels plans to soon follow with a knit hockey collection as well as offering other types of athletic sweaters in 2015, including baseball shawl-collar, vintage collegiate, pullover crew neck and v-neck styles.
About Ebbets Field Flannels
Still run by its original founders, Ebbets Field Flannels is committed to bringing the quality, beauty and craftsmanship of mid-Century American athletic garments to a 21st Century public. From its headquarters in Seattle, Wash., Ebbets makes vintage jerseys, jackets and caps the old fashioned way, using original materials and manufacturing techniques. The company focuses on non-major league athletic teams, such as the Negro leagues and the pre-1958 Pacific Coast league, bringing to life relatively unknown players and chapters of American sports history. Additional information is available at ebbets.com.
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Amber Lindsey PR
Amber Lindsey
503-730-8157
www.amberlindseypr.com
Amber Lindsey
503-730-8157
www.amberlindseypr.com
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