The quintessential cricket jumper features a boxy cut, V-neck and often has striped trims, and became popular during the 1920s to 1950s in part due to heritage brands such as Alan Paine and Colhay’s.
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Australian label R.Sport has a cricket range in development whose release will possibly be timed to next year’s Ashes series. Founder Anthony Puliatti says it’s a natural fit for a cricket obsessive such as himself (Puliatti played to a senior amateur level through to his 20s, when injury stopped him from going further).
He says R.Sport has drawn plenty of inspiration from cricket style, especially for the brand’s track pants, whose design – in white or cream and pleated, through to the fit and fabric – is “inspired by pants I wore growing up, playing the game”.
“I love the traditional side of the sport,” he says. “There is so much etiquette to the garments, and how you should wear them, from the polos to button-ups and the caps.”
Although soccer, a sport heavily represented in R.Sport’s range, is “having a really big run”, Puliatti thinks there is “definitely room for cricket [in fashion]; I just think it’s a bit more subtle at the moment”.
“There is a cool side to cricket,” he says. “People may pigeonhole it [as] a ‘boring’ game but once you understand the depths of it … there is a really cool, fascinating side to it. There is [also] a real stylish side to it.”
Still, despite the strong ties between cricket and fashion, female players are behind their male counterparts when it comes to brand deals and collaborations. But with some, especially India’s Harmanpreet Kaur and Australian Ellyse Perry, boasting massive social media followings, parity – at least in fashion – is only a matter of time.
As for what one should wear to the cricket as a spectator, there are few rules, except in the members’ areas at some stadiums where collars and closed shoes are required. Still, if you’re looking for match-day inspiration, there is plenty around.
In Hedi Slimane’s final menswear collection for Celine before exiting the house, blazers took inspiration from both cricket and rowing, while Ralph Lauren, which in Australia now has a firm association with tennis and the Australian Open, also carries a range of cricket jumpers and vests. Or, you could just raid your local sports store.
The writer travelled to Perth as a guest of Rado.
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