The Super Bowl Style Summary
Because talking about aesthetics is all that's keeping me from a 49ers-fuelled pit of sadness.
Hi friends and strangers,
It’s been a while since I’ve written a newsletter and while I can extend plenty of platitudes - I’ve been focussing on niching down on higher income generating areas of business (true), I’ve been burned out (also true) but mainly I’ve been overthinking everything instead of actually writing.
There are plenty of meaty topics at the intersection of sports, style and sustainability that I want to sink my teeth into on a more in-depth level than an Instagram story rant or Twitter thread. In the meantime, let’s pay reverence to last night’s Super Bowl. I plan on getting more in-depth into what I feel can only be described as The GirlHood Bowl - Taylor Swift’s undeniable influence, Kristin’s line, the lack of licensing for black-owned brands, and NFL wives and girlfriends (aka WAGs - thanks soccer folk!) being appointed the new arbiters of taste and style in sports.
But since my 2024 is all about action - let’s run through a few aesthetic points from the game since those are easier to digest. Athletically, as a longtime Niners’ fan - I did my grade eight French speech on Steve Young and wanted to go to BYU until I found out about Mormons which is decidedly not my vibe (love coffee, hate marriage at 18, listening to old white men, long underwear layers because I run hot, etc.) - I am mostly disappointed, but not surprised. We should have run the ball more in the second half, I’m confused as to why they didn’t plan for OT, and sad for Purdy who held his own against one of the greatest QBs we’ve ever seen in Mahomes’ - in short the team was out-coached, and didn’t capitalize on luck. As much as I love seeing Coach Shanahan in the white Jordan Cement III sneakers - it may be time to look to someone else on the sidelines (is Belicheck still available?).
Onward and upwards!
Travis and Taylor
Let’s get the great beige hype out of the way first. After a week of Taylor’s private jet watch (watch her pollute in real time!) she landed in LA ahead of schedule before heading to Las Vegas. She wore a black Dion Lee corset-style tank top, ($720 - still available in small sizes) AREA crystal slit black denim jeans ($695 - sold out), black velvet Christian Louboutin boots emblazoned with Kelce’s number and a Chiefs jacket from Wear by Erin Andrews ($129 - still available), her licensed fashion line (which honestly, I forgot existed until this season - it’s fine).
She also carried a Judith Leiber “Football Super Bowl” bag in red and gold (the Niners’ one is white and gold with red - such a weird aesthetic combo between the two team color palettes) that is made to order for a cool $4495. It was a gift from Shaq and Jamie J. Salter, the CEO of Authentic Brands, who own Judith Leiber (and, not surprisingly, - Shaq’s brand).
I respect that she’s not trying too hard to look like a big sports fan after all the fuss about her sports gear and swag surfing - perhaps it is indicative that we do need more WELL-DESIGNED SPORTS MERCHANDISE FOR WOMEN. Granted I am not a Swiftie - but she’s never struck her as a fashion girl or a big sports fan so using her jewelry, accessories and outerwear to signal her allegiance makes sense given her love of symbolism. But her look was fine and honestly - any gateway to get more women and girls into sports that makes them feel genuinely excited about the game - I’m all for it.
Travis Kelce wore a full look by the LA-based brand Amiri, which is often a favourite of professional athletes (partially due to their adherence to trends, large-size runs and pant lengths). He was styled by Danielle Vanessa Salzedo and I can best summarize the look as “if Chanel had an illegitimate child with Chrome Hearts”. According to the press release the outfit is a “custom sequin-embellished tailored bouclé shirt jacket with a notched lapel and front patch pockets, and coordinating bouclé baggy trousers designed with a soft silhouette and adjustable buttoned ankle.” He also carried one of Amiri’s signature weekender bags ($1990, on sale for $1000). It’s fine. It’s dark. It moves with the lights - it’s a look that screams “Super Bowl”. It got him an exclusive in Vogue which has everyone begging for Meta Gala invite on his behalf. It is kind of wild that he wore more sparkles than his pop star girlfriend but gender roles, begot!
The Custom King and Queen
Unless you’ve been living under a rock - or don’t care about sports - you’ve probably seen Kristin Kuszczyk's gear all over social media and on TV. Her husband, Kyle, plays for the 49ers and has been her biggest fan off the field promoting her work non-stop - especially when she created a puffer jacket piece for Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes (Patrick Mahomes’ wife). She’s been creating custom gear for the past few seasons and fighting for that elusive NFL license and finally got one this year. While I have plenty to analyze on that front, let’s stick to the Super Bowl gear.
For her husband, she made him a jacket featuring jerseys of his teammates, which then they all signed. It was cute, touching and a great conversation piece. Thankfully her husband is easier to dress than some athletes, being a 6’2 fullback, but I feel like the fit could have been better around the arms and using all the Super Bowl logo pieces from the jerseys on the arms felt busy and unresolved. The rest of the outfit was underwhelming - but clearly, the jacket was the real star.
Kristin’s outfit was also a throwback - featuring all the moments from Justin’s career. The oversized jacket design (it’s quickly become one of her signature styles) holds up well to all the different jerseys and patches, which can’t have been super light. While it’s a bit cluttered, it tells the story and I can imagine it’s hard to edit out special moments. She looked cute and proud of her man - an elite WAG combo.
The Louis Vuitton Dons
It’s not surprising that Pharrell’s vision of Louis Vuitton is popping up all over athletes - heck, I bought a selection of pieces for my client Dillon Brooks. Multiple players showed up wearing the brand including Trent Wiliams, Arik Armstead and Trey Dean. I don’t have much to say other than that I hope they all get invites to the Paris LV show as a thank-you.
Brand Down
A few other players got the full-look memo. Deebo Samuels came fully Prada-d out from the jacket to the boots and bags. Now, generally, I’m a Prada stan but I feel like there was too much going on in this look, especially in the chest area - all those pockets, the logo tie - it makes him look stocky and short. Keep in mind - he is 6 feet fall and a wide receiver - they are leaner than most NFL players! While I understand the gravitas of going all black everything, I would have loved to see a little of those cool color combos that Miuccia and Raf have been cooking up at Prada on Deebo. He can pull it off.
Meanwhile, Jet McKinnon went full Bottega Veneta in a 2023 resort look. While I understand the vision - he looked uncomfortable with the tucked-in shirt jacket and tie. Maybe if he wore it open or experimented with the styling a bit more instead of copying the show look - it ended up feeling more fashion victim than a style icon.
CMC with the HAC
Christian McCaffrey came in all business in a Polo Ralph Lauren pinstripe look and shades but the real standout was his Hermes Haut à Courroies (HAC) bag. Did he borrow it from Olivia Culpo? Do they share bags? The NFL offensive player made a great effort on and off the field, I just wish he got more touches in the second half.
Are Jersey Dresses Back? Thank Miss Monet!
There’s been rumblings of a jersey dress renaissance on NBA Twitter for years, and three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monet wore a spin on the jersey dress wearing a custom stretch leather “Usher” dress by Candice Cuoco, styled by Kollin Carter. I love the fully functional snaps and diamond details.
Beyoncé
As a self-described member of the big hair apologists club - thank you Beyoncé - this hair is a work of art. How is someone this pretty?!? I loved her outfit that night - sexy, dark cowgirl does Vegas - I wish it weren’t by Dolce & Gabanna. I’m excited for the album and the aesthetics, which so far are giving very much a Paris, Texas vibe.
While there is so much more to comment on - Usher (a top-tier performer who brought Atlanta to Vegas in the best way!), HER (killed it!), I’m just about out of space and caffeine. Want to hear more? Maybe I’ll do part two, maybe I’ll add a paywall to it or finally finish editing all the TikTok’s I’ve started. In the meantime, let me know what you think and as always, please share and subscribe.
Stay safe and stay true,
Megan
@shegotgame
PS. Be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram for more and check out my website at MeganAnnWilson.com.
I neeeeed a part 2!