Swing by one of my favorite blogs, Uniwatch to learn a bit about the history of all types of sports uniforms. The main author of Uniwatch, Paul Lukas, also writes columns for ESPN.com's Page 2. Check out, for example his column on the history of Chicago Cubs uniforms.
Uniwatch points to some of the more unfortunate occurrences in Cubs uniform history. Sporting a throwback uniform to a game or the pub can really show off your dedication to your team, but I wouldn't recommend running out and snagging a jersey like the one pictured in the last link.
Some jerseys from the 1970s and 1980s were unfortunate then and they still look awful now. Others, can look very cool and stylish.
Throwbacks are typically more expensive than regular authentic jerseys, but they come with special advantages. First, they show off your ardent dedication to your favorite team. Fairweather fans, or bandwagon fans rarely own throwback jerseys. So you're jersey will set you apart from other fans at the game.
The second advantage of throwback jerseys is the fact that the players featured on the back of the jersey are nearly always retired, meaning that they will never be traded to another team, making some jerseys look out of touch.
And a tip: if you decide to drop your hard earned money on a throwback, make sure you know a thing or two about the player on the back. You might have an old timer strike up a conversation with you about Tony Oliva or Johnny Bench. I'm not saying you have to memorize statistics, just learn a little bit about who the dude was, when he played, and if he or she made the Hall of Fame of their respective sport.
Also, avoid buying a throwback two or three sizes too large. Buy the same size you normally would.
There are a couple of sources for throwback uniforms. The official sites of Major League Baseball and the National Football League feature various kinds of throwbacks. Mitchell and Ness, bills itself as a "nostalgia company," whatever that means. While a bit pricey, Mitchell and Ness jerseys are of extremely high quality.
Ebbets Field Flannels provides some amazing (and hard to find) throwbacks. These are a bit pricier than even the Mitchell and Ness jerseys, but can be pretty amazing. A Willie Mays 1951 Minneapolis Millers will really impress your hardcore San Francisco Giants fans, but it will set you back $175.
A throwback jersey can really set you apart from the crowd. Don't invest in one if your only a casual fan. Grab a throwback t-shirt from a site like Distant Replays instead. But if you're a hardcore sports fan and want to show of your undying love for your team, grab a unique flannel and your friends as well as other fans at the park, will be impressed.
Bonus tip: on a cold evening, you can slide a hoodie underneath the jersey, just make sure it matches the colors of the uniform itself.
