These days it’s so hot outside that you’ve got to
wear sandals and stuff. You know it’s a bad sign when kids
show up to class in pants and T-shirts looking like they just ran a
marathon.
But what about the kids who actually do run marathons? They have
to keep cool, and be cool, too, if you know what I mean. So what do
they wear?
“The shortest shorts you can find and a white
T-shirt,” said Aaron Silberman, a student at the University
of California, Santa Barbara. “I need my headband or
otherwise I can’t see. You’ve seen the headband I wear.
It’s a woman’s headband.”
I have seen Aaron’s headband, and taking Aaron as an
example, it is clear that fashion is a very personal thing in
Southern California. But as UCLA’s male students take to
sporting activities this spring, they all seem to be wearing the
same thing.
The sleeveless T-shirt.
I don a sleeveless T-shirt whenever I am doing something
athletic, or even when I am just watching TV and feeling
“sporty.” The sleeveless T-shirt is very functional
because it allows a lot of freedom of movement, and it allows
people to see my guns.
I caught up with UCLA student Alex Brizolis on Tuesday night to
discuss what he was wearing for his intramural basketball game,
which he was driving to as we had the following discussion via cell
phone. I was hoping to get some top-secret info about the
sleeveless T-shirts.
DM: What are you wearing?
AB: Jordan basketball shorts made by Nike. And matching Jordan
Nike shoes.
DM: Are the shoes matching each other?
AB: No, the shoes match the shorts.
Unfortunately, Brizolis had opted not to wear a sleeveless shirt
to the game. Despite Brizolis’ decision to sport a shirt with
actual sleeves, the popularity of the sleeveless T-shirt is
undeniable. Why has this trend caught on now? Does it have to do
with today’s political climate? Perhaps because it’s an
election year?
While the cult of the sleeveless T-shirt has swelled to dizzying
proportions at UCLA, this type of T-shirt has not taken hold
nationwide. It appears that there are very different rules to
fashion when it comes to athletic apparel at the University of
Arizona.
“I think tank tops are one thing, but I’m not really
into cutting off sleeves. It’s not my style. I for sure would
rather wear a tank top,” third-year Arizona student Brandon
Richman said.
Richman’s comments created a firestorm of controversy in
the sleeveless T-shirt-wearing community at UCLA, as defenders of
these oft-criticized garments made a case for their use.
“Sleeves just slow people down, third-year UCLA student
Adam Hirsch said. “Sleeveless shirts are like the shorts of
pants.”
Richman could not be reached for a reaction to Hirsch’s
comments as the Daily Bruin went to press.
If you want to see the sleeveless T-shirt in its natural
habitat, the Wooden Recreation Center is a veritable gold mine.
There, you can find all sorts of sleeveless shirts and even some
mesh shorts or sweatbands if you are lucky.
I spoke with a real live person that works in the Wooden Center
““ Marni Spitz ““ who works at the front desk there and
gets the chance to see all types of sleeveless T-shirts every
day.
“I definitely notice guys wearing T-shirts with cut-off
sleeves,” Spitz said.
“A lot of guys wear jeans because they think it’s
OK, which I think is weird. Some guys wear Spandex.”
So from Spandex, to tank tops, to sleeveless T-shirts, one thing
is clear: It doesn’t really matter if you are actually
exercising. It just matters that you look good.
Doug Christie is the ugliest player in the NBA. E-mail
Miller at [email protected] to discuss this sad fact.