Soccer Stylin’

For me, putting on the gear for a game feels like an actor getting ready for her role, as transformational as Diana Prince changing into Wonder Woman. To start, there is the underwear. In order to avoid a wedgie (which can be extremely annoying and distracting when you’re running around the pitch), I opt for some cotton Jockeys that hug my buns. Next comes the sports bra, although, as stated in my last entry, I wear TWO sports bras in order to slip my protective “turtle shells” between them. My shorts are Nikes for women in basic black. And now comes the main attraction – the jersey! A brief history here. When Ocean Motion was first conceived, one of our teammates offered to tie-dye some cotton t-shirts. They turned out predominately turquoise with swirls of purple. She hand-painted our numbers on the back in black. (I chose #28 in honor of my late father’s college football number.) Over the next 25+ years, the team went on to wear more “professional” sports attire. At first, it was all about the color and whether it complimented or clashed with our hair color (we had not yet gone grey or white!). Dark forest green was favored, but we soon learned that shocking pink or lime green or red were much better choices. You could find your teammate on the field so much easier! We then chose orange, which we kept, until changing leagues (from Torrance, which only went up to 40s, to Orange County, which welcomed 50s and 60s). Our present jersey is a teal blue, more in keeping with our aquatic name. The real “sea change” comes when I pull on my long black tube socks. Black fishnets they are not, but they make me feel just as sexy/powerful. After slipping my shinguards into my socks, I reach for my cleats, my beautiful, comfortable, kangaroo-leather Copa Mundials. This must be my fifth pair. Once I’ve got them on, I’m ready for action, ready to run in them, dribble with them, kick the ball in them, maybe even score. Checking myself out in the mirror (my hair pulled back in a ponytail), I am no longer an ordinary wife and mom, but a strong, beautiful athlete, off to play her game! Costumes matter!