I am a fashion obsessed hockey fan. You'll find everything from fashion DOs && DON'Ts, outfit ideas for games for men & women... to hockey posts & player stats all they way down to the basics of Ice Hockey. I am no ace when it comes to ice hockey, which I readily admit. But, I am willing to ask the questions & I will gladly take yours, which I'll do my best to answer. On my own...or with some help. Hey, the only stupid questions...are mine. :)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Hockey for the Fashion Conscious

Caps Basketball had a post earlier today about black jerseys and the teams that wear them, and he asked my my opinion on the black from a fashion standpoint. However, he then decided to eliminate that from his post ;( But, it got me thinking, about jerseys in general.
            First things first what teams have an all black jersey:
·      Boston Bruins (Home & 3rd Jersey)
·      Carolina Hurricanes (3rd Jersey)
·      Anaheim Ducks  (Home & 3rd Jersey)
·      Dallas Stars (Home)
·      LA Kings (Home & 3rd Jersey)
·      Pittsburgh Penguins (Home)
·      Phoenix Coyotes (3rd Jersey)
·      San Jose Sharks (3rd Jersey)
·      Chicago Blackhawks (3rd Jersey)
·      Ottowa Senators (2 3rd Jerseys)
·      Tampa Bay Lightning (I believe it was an alternate home jersey)
·      Philadelphia Flyers (Alternate Jersey at one point)
nhl.com, Coyote or Cute Little Fox?


So here’s the question what is the deal with the black jerseys?  Caps Basketball's theory: cheating, he stated that in the MLB the pitcher cannot have a white glove because it would be hard for the hitters to see when the ball leaves the glove. Which, I never knewI am not sure how this really incorporates the jerseys themselves, causing some puck confusion for the goalies; however, the black tape on the blade may cause some confusion. Also watching the Oilers/Caps game a white stick with white tape against the ice also, almost completely hides the puck, when the blade is over the puck. Could be a reason behind why you don’t see hot pink tape out on the ice.
      Reebok now has Black Ice Premier jerseys for each of the teams. These aren’t for the players but for the fans.  My brother likes the jerseys because he says, “They bring out the accent colors.” I am against these jerseys being worn to games. As a Caps fan, I know to rock the red. As a fan I go, expecting almost 85% of the Verizon Center to be in red. The players…”my team” wear red. I want to wear red; it is my way of showing support, doing my part as far as a fan goes. I feel the same way about the black jerseys as I do with the Fair Isle Women’s Reebok jerseys and the pink jerseys.  As a female, don’t buy it, you are buying it as a fashion statement not as “team pride” or wearing your colors. Remember when Jessica Simpson was going around in a pink football jersey, and how RIDICULUOUS she looked, that’s how you look. I don’t usually wear hockey jerseys, but when I do, you bet your ass it’s a red Reebok Capitals home jersey. I have a Winter Class jersey as well, however I wouldn’t wear it to a game, its white and we don’t rock the white, we rock the red. Just like I wouldn’t show up to a Devils game in angel wings. Quite frankly I would like to get it autographed and then get it framed. (So…John Carlson, what do you say?)
 Reebok Black Ice Premier Jersey
Reebok Fair Isle Women's Jersey

            It can’t be denied that when sports teams try to be more “modern” they look to one thing, black. I mean just look at the UMD uniforms, the total blackout was awesome, but that is coming from a girl who also really liked their Maryland court jester uniforms… However, with Ice Hockey, I am completely against the black trend.  Why black jerseys, do you think it will make your team more intimidating, do you want hipster/emo fans, do you think you’re sexy, or is it because they are stain resistant!? That’s it isn’t it? Here’s the thing guys the only thing that is going to stain your jersey is blood.  So I still don’t get why the black is being pushed, and is the emerging trend in the 3rd jerseys. I mean that Phoenix Coyotes 3rd jersey is just terrible. It looks more like a baby fox; I want to say “awwww” as opposed to “ahh!”
UMD Football Jersey, or Court Jester, you decide.

            There is also another trend in the 3rd jerseys, and this one, I am completely behind: the vintage revival. These jerseys are like a piece of the past; it’s like antiquing for sports fans! The best things about the vintage jerseys are that their logos are simplified and they take up less space, with more of a centralized design. Which, from a fashion perspective is much more aesthetically pleasing. Hockey is a sport that is rich in tradition, so from a fashion perspective, bringing back the jerseys of the past is always a crowd pleaser, to fans and to players alike. 
            Minimalism is also another plus to the vintage jerseys. Some teams that don’t have a “vintage” jersey yet, are designing jerseys with minimalistic detailing, one of the mail qualities of the throwback jersyeys. Some of my favorite jerseys are very simple, with traditional logos; Montreal Canadians, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the road jersey for Tampa Bay Lightning. Less is more, and these teams have it down pat.  With the good comes the ugly; and with this I have one team, Florida Panthers. Nothing against the team, but the jerseys are awful, the color palate and everything.  More of a blood red vs the orange red would make a world of difference for them, the angry kitty doesn’t do much either…demon thundercats don’t belong on the ice…The team is going through a major rebuild I think a jersey change could do a lot for the aesthetic, new team, new look. A close contender for the worst jersey in the NHL would have to be the Columbus Blue Jackets, because they either look like soccer jerseys, or a sweater bought at a civil war reenactment battlefield.

Thundercats, or the Florida Panther

After asking around, the general consensus is usually the same, jerseys with a more simple design, or a vintage revival are crowd pleasers.  I mean how many of us wish that the Anaheim Ducks still had the duckbill hockey mask logos? Their logo now looks more like a horseshoe stingray. Patrick McLaughlin, Staff Writer for The Rat Trick,  when asked about his favorite jersey said he liked the Atlanta Flames, the Canucks 3rd Jersey, and the Winter Classic jersey for the Caps, his favorite however is the Blackhawks. (I should also say he likes the new home red jerseys for the Florida Panthers, but I still stand by what I said.) This proves however what I stated previously some of the most aesthetically pleasing jerseys (not based on anything but looks) are the jerseys with more of a minimalistic logo. This has stood true for men and women, actually roughly  8 women I asked stated that the Montreal Canadians had their favorite jerseys, be it home (@make_lemons) or away. The Kings were high ranking amongst a lot of the men I asked, and my best friend as well! (@LaichCaps21, who also stated Colorado Avalanche as another contender.)
My all time favorite jersey is The Hockey Writers number 2, the Quebec Nordiques. Let me also point out the Asian dragon that, at one point was the logo for the Calgary Flames…my apologies Panthers, it could be worse. 
Quebec Nordiques

Calgary Flames...



Minimalist NHL Team Designs  Check out the link for some interesting takes on the team designs.

xoxo
alanna.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Dorothy Was From New Jersey && A Hipster Buffalo Bills Fan

That game, oh that game! Just a whole bunch of awesomeness. So here's a not so brief rundown:
  • I met my friend "Keith" at about 5 at the metro.
  • We argued briefly about who would wear the mohawk hat, it was mine so I obviously won.
  • The metro ride was interesting, not to many Caps fans, a few Red Wings fans from out of town, who looked as if they had never ridden a metro before...that is a lie I mean a D.C. metro before. There was a man in a very fake looking Ovechkin jersey, where the "Weagle" looked more like a Beagle (the dog not the dude). 
  • We arrived at metro center, and Keith was BOUNCING off the walls excited, I've never seen a 30 year old man skip through the city the way he did. We started seeing people walking around with Capital One foam fingers...and thats where it began.
    • Keith asked every person we passed where they got their fingers, or if he could just have their fingers. (Infer what you will...BB Quote O'Day)
    • So we sprint to the Verizon Center and you could just feel it... that happy cappy feeling. 
    • We found the foam finger chick, and I thought we were set ready to go inside...maybe get a drink...nope wrong. So with foam fingers on hand (literally on hand, mine was backwards p.s.) we continued our walk around the outside. 
    • Then Keith started freaking out, I mean FREAKING out: and ran to a red roped area around the green turtle, with some intense Capital One advertising and a man with a camera. Three guys were sitting down, first person I saw was Holden Kushner, (who is hott, who knew), a guy from Japer's Rink, and then there was Rod Langway. It was like Jesus himself had come down I have never in me LIFE seen a man behave the way Keith did. 
    • He ran around the roped area for a while reminding me of one of my sister's Zu Zu Pet's, eventually man with camera looked at me and said what is he doing, and Keith finally decided to get on line.
      • Heres the run down, so they three guys served as a panel where you used your foam hand for a "High Five" for 5x the something bank related, they scored you, and you got a $5 Gift Card from Capital One (free money...!), and then Rod Langway was doing autographs.
      • Keith and I both kind of wished we could have gone inside and gotten a puck or something signed...but alas I will settle for the foam finger he signed for me and the picture he signed for Keith. Rod Langway also said he liked my hat... Of course instigating another, who wears the mohawk hat...once again I won
  •  We walked right into the Verizon Center, I don't know why more people don't use the entrance near Clydes...actually no stick to going in the main doors, so people like me, can walk right in :)
  • We picked up the Caps Breakaway for the game, where I was pleasantly surprised with a nice "poster" of Green.
  • I also bought my traditional pin, which I buy at each game.
  • It was about 6:15 so we had sometime to kill, we checked on the auction items and we walked around a bit then went upstairs to our seats...section 212 (which I forgot EVERYTIME we left our seats, & eventually lead to me getting lost...)
  • Game begins and it is insane! AWESOMELY AMAZING.
    • However the a-holes in front of us spent...roughly the entire first period complaining about how terrible of a player they thought Jeff Scultz was. This guy was just going insane bitching and moaning about what a terrible player he was, anytime Schultz was on the ice was a que for Anti-Schultz to open his big fat mouth.
      • This began to greatly piss of Keith.
        • Heres the thing, you and your entire crew of miscreants, were all in Caps gear, "Rocking the Red" etc. WHY THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING SH*T ON PLAYERS ON YOUR TEAM. And your lady friend had skunk hair. It was weird.
          • I get it though, players make silly mistakes etc. John Carlson pisses me off sometimes when he gets flustered and sloppy. See: Stupid Penalties by John Carlson with a preface by Alex Semin. However, I won't sit and bash him during the entire game, I didn't pay to be miserable, I paid to enjoy a hockey game. 
          • So....
      • An argument ensued.
      • Then all I wanted was for a goal from Scultz to shut up the a@#hole in front. ( In his Erskine jersey that still had fold lines in it from being shipped...ick really bro, iron your clothing.)
  • However, Matty P scored and everyone was happy Best Caps Friends again.
    • We scored...and scored...and scored again, and then we scored again plus three more. It was insane. Up, down, up, down. 
      • Side note: After the 6th goal, I said to Keith," I just can't 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...its all your fault anymore." Anit-Schultz turned around and agreed saying, "Now it's just mean..."
        • There you have it the Anti-Schultz has a heart. Maybe a small black one, but a heart none-the-less.
  • So with the game going so well, I couldn't help but think: celebration. Keith had the same thought and we decided Clydes it was...
    • In the words of Keith, "I feel awesome, amazing night." I second, third and fourth that.
      • The end.
  • NOT So here is a list of stupid things I observed and stupid things that happened. A plus/minus rundown.
    • During the game the lady next to me spilled her ENTIRE beer into my marc jacobs bag, and all over my Tory Burchs. -
    • I got completely lost returning to my seat, and missed the first min or so of the third period. I was lucky, in that nothing happened. +
    • There are to many "guys/men" at caps games. Horn Guy & Loud Goat, are legit, I mean Loud Goat is in this months Washingtonian! HELLO. There was once an Astronaut Guy... maybe? Or is he now a Caps Urban Legend?... However Red Man? (We aren't Vancouver who has pretty legit Green Men). Guys in pinstriped suits (We aren't from New Jersey). Tattoo Guy, (is it that really happening?). Whistle Guy (knockoff horn guy). That obnoxious guy in every other section who attempts a C-A-P-S every 3 minutes (stop it). That guy who paints his face red and wears a Cry Baby Jersey, that's awesome and I laugh when I see it so you are allowed. So that evens out to a +
    • FASHION NOTE: Caps Basketball asked why women are now wearing Cowboy boots to games, I didn't not see any, however I do believe it. Ladies... ladies, ladies, ladies do you see any bails of hay? Do you see any cows to wrangle? No? Me neither cowboy boots belong on the farm. Leave them there. -
      • Riding boots are completely acceptable though. +
      • and...FEDORAS. Who designed the Caps fedora and why!? They are affecting men, women and children in the DC Metro area. Please help to raise awareness, and protect people against this terrible disease. -
    • Clydes was packed with Caps fans. +
    • Sam Adams Octoberfest on tap.+
    • Making random conversation with strangers. +
    • Playing the conversation game where you make up what people are saying across the room, because you can't hear them and they are making silly facial expressions. +
    • Keith stealing my hat, and getting compliments on it...-
    • Drunk lady.-
      • Drunk lady needing to be walked to the ladies room.-
      • Drunk lady calling me Dorothy.-
      • Drunk lady asking me if I killed her sister and stole her shoes.+
        • Drunk lady being convinced she was living the Wizard of Oz.+
      • Drunk lady trying to pull off all of the bird pictures in Clydes calling them her babies, and her pretties... ...+
      • Drunk lady drinking the martini left in the ladies room...- big -
    • Keith and I walking Drunk Lady to Metro Center so she got home safe. Moral +
    • Drunken Hipsters on the Metro asking me, "ARE YOU A BILLS FAN?" +
      • My reply being, "Yes, Go Bills."While blatantly wearing a CAPS hat and scarf. +
    • The "Nothing Fight" Detroit couple, who sat in silence with each other with nothing but death stares. +
      • meanwhile: I am looking at them whilst doing the "7-0" a-hole sneeze :) double +
    • Keith and I realizing how much our bar tab was vs. what it should have been, realizing THE CAPS ARE 7-0, the Detroit Troll could officially SUCK IT, my hat is a HUGE crowd pleaser, we met Rod Langway, and last but not least I did not get nearly as drunk as Drunk Lady...+++
    • So...over all I think I have like a +10. In NHL standards for this game, I did pretty damn good.

Sorry it took so long. 
xoxo alanna. or dorothy.

That's me in the middle. (The Wizard of Oz)
My Dorothy inspired nail polish :) @slgroff.
What's Your Poison @sephora $9.50

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Karma

SUCK IT DETROIT! More to come tomorrow when it isn't 2 am ;)

7-0 baby!!!!

P.S. Sam Adams Octoberfest...great, great beer. Damien, even better bartender.

My Personal Vendetta with Detroit

Once upon a time, last weekend, a friend and I went to the Hershey Bears game up in Hershey. They were playing the Norfolk Admirals (AHL affiliate with Tampa Bay), which is fine. HOWEVER the troll in front of me was not fine. First of all he had a MASSIVE Red Wing tattoo on is left arm, okay...cool. On his head was a Tampa Bay Lightning hat, and his shirt was something Tampa Bay related. So I figured okay, maybe this is just a confused guy here to just watch the game... maybe wearing someone else's shirt ....nope, WRONG. Oh so wrong. This troll was the most obnoxious and illiterate human being I had ever met, and believe me I've met some winners. Every time a player even skated by another he was screaming "HIP CHECK", there were several fights during the course of the game, and especially after the Beagle-Asham "situation" everyone was pretty respectful to both teams during this fight...not the troll. I may have gotten a little sassy when Holtby was hit...maybe flew out of my seat, screaming, spilling soda everywhere...but still nothing compared to the lunatic in the front, all I thought was, Alzner would be very disappointed, and Carlson would call you a "mutant".
The Bears had just scored and they do a cheer that is something like, "B-E-A-R-S, Bears, Bears, Bears..." (I couldn't catch on so mine was more of a "AHHHHH") so my very good friend Ariane was cheering...loudly, as we all were, and this son of a bad word turns around and gave her the finger. Not the thumb, the finger. I was so appalled, I understand rivalries etc. I don't understand where a man thinks it right to flip off a woman at a sporting event, at the HOME ARENA, when the HOME TEAM SCORED, it was rude and it was trashy, and everyone he was with was mortified. That was a bad run on... So here's to you Detroit, KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELVES. You stay classy Detroit. Welcome to Washington :)

photo : ESPN


xoxo
alanna.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Ice Queen vs. Tyra Skanks

As I am sure you are wondering...what in God's name does this title mean. I had to do it. This whole idea started on Twitter, when @thedugsmusic tweeted abut what people have been wearing to hockey games. He came up with the title, I don't know if I could name my blog that, but a post definitely, and check out the url. The title of my blog: Wear, What, Puck? Works in two ways for me...because something one usually hears me is "Where...what?" and I figured with a little play on words, I've got the fashion and the hockey.

So as is stated in what I would like to call my "mission statement" I plan on incorporating fashion and ice hockey, and tonight you are going to get the best of both worlds (and by both I mean just fashion) because I am headed to the Verizon Center for the game tomorrow night! Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals. So here is what I'll wear:

Deep V LnA T, This is my fav. But BDG at UO has some great Deep Vs as well.

Dark Wash Skinny Jean polyvore.com or check out @loft


Tory Burch Reva Flats
Purchased: Addison Craig

Earrings: Kate Spade, Nordstrom
Watch: Michael Kors, Nordstrom
Ring: marc by marcjacobs, Nordstrom
(The Black Panther ring is an Ode To Mike Green.)
Bangle & Leather Wrap: Tory Burch, Tory Burch
Bead Bracelet: Pandora w/ custom CAPITALS bead, Pandora

Washington Capitals Scarf  && Pins, I get one at every game.
Scarf Purchased: Kettler Capitals Iceplex
Pins Purchased: Verizon Center
marc by marc jacobs percy q crossbody
Purchased: Nordstrom

And of course, Washington Capitals 2011 Winter Classic Mohawk Hat.
Purchased: Kettler Capitals Iceplex
I am a HUGE fan of LnA's deep V t shirts, but they can be a little pricey so, I also own a ton of Urban Outfitters BDG Deep V necks, but here is the secret: wear the men's t shirts. Usually, mens deep V shirts are cut much lower than the women's, they also fit looser. So they can give a super sexy (and ladies you are LYING to yourselves if you don't admit that you always want to look good on the off chances that a player is checking you out...its okay to admit this I have)... relaxed look for any sporting event. I own TONS in colors for all of my teams. I don't have problems with women wearing hockey jerseys either! (As I know some men *cough Mike Wise cough* do... as I recall a very specific radio rant last year) As long as the jersey isn't down to your knees, and the sleeves don't drag. It's awesome that Reebok cuts hockey jerseys specifically for women especially because there are certain areas where we all need a little extra space...queue the reason for the Deep V ;). I am also sure some of you are thinking...alanna this is an ice rink you are going to be freezing...wrong! I get so psycho super fan that I am always jumping around and I keep myself pretty warm even in a T shirt... especially because it is only October so the weather outside is still just weather. I'm not to concerned about a jacket/ sweatshirt. But....I may bring a draped poncho like this Cotton Blend Poncho. Once the weather gets cooler I'll show you all some other ideas etc.

  I will be traveling for some other games throughout the season so it won't just be Caps outfit ideas, and I will do some outfits just because. And guys... you're not off the hook either, fashion is becoming much more important to you all as well. Just recently the Matt Hendricks, Mike Knuble, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, and Michal Neuvirth served as models with Capitol File for a look at men's fall fashion. And if the Caps care, guys so should you...Well it looks like JC74 cares most of the time...:)
@JohnCarlson74 tweeted this picture,
Channeling his inner GoGo Gadget

But lets get beyond the clothes because god, my best friend (Ariane @LaichCaps21) and anyone who knows me knows that we are missing some of the most VITAL parts of getting ready for a hockey game: hair, nails, and makeup of course.
One thing you'll learn about me is I love doing my nails.
The red WAS my lucky playoff red...
BUTTER Come to Bed Red
OPI Russian Navy
Most Hated/My favorite "Vintage" Caps Jersey
Black: Revlon Black Lingerie
Navy, Copper & White: STRIPE Rite
Old Washington Examiner articles,
wish I could zoom BL21 on thumb
AO8 on middle finger.
White: OPI Alpine Snow
That last newspaper nail idea is what I plan on rocking tomorrow. Its awesome, and super easy.
  • Use a white or gray color first, do 2 coats, and let COMPLETELY dry.
  • In a cup of rubbing alcohol (or Vodka, but why waste vodka...) place each finger one at a time.
  • After you take each finger out, take a piece of the newspaper you'd like on that finger and hold it onto the finger you just removed from the alcohol. Make sure not to move the paper around to much because the ink will smudge.
  • Repeat that with each nail & remove any extra ink with some nail polish remover and a q-tip.
  • Coat with a clear nail polish and your ready to Rock the...Examiner!
Next would be my hair, I usualy use a large barrel curling iron, for some loose waves and seeing as I usually wear my Mohawk hat, its pretty low maintenance. If I don't wear my hat I usually just pull it half up:

LETS GO CAPS!!!
@LaichCaps21 and I
Last but not least: Makeup- I keep it subtle. I went to a game once with roughly an ENTIRE tube of MAC's False Lash mascara... Ariane has made it her duty in life to never let me live it down. 'Twas the night of the Tarantella lashes...bad night...BAAAAD night. :)

So thats pretty much it for my pre game fashion update...not too much right ;). Don't worry it won't all be fashion, I will throw in some men's fashion, some clothing NIGHTMARES...who doesn't love train wrecks!? ( I know I do....) Oh yeah and I will get around to some hockey here and there.  Enjoy!

If you have any questions, comments or any outfits you'd like ideas on...let me know ;).


peace love & pucks
alanna