How To Clean A Jersey

Dear Readers,

Do you have any tips for cleaning your favorite jersey? Do you hand wash? Use shout wipes? Take it to the dry cleaner? Run it through the washing machine?

We're curious to hear. E-mail us at welldressedsportsfan@gmail.com

We'll post some of the best tips we receive in the coming weeks.

Jersey Frames

Last night, the Well Dressed Sports Girlfriend and I went to a sports bar. I drag her to a lot of sports bars. Thankfully, she happens to like beer and is willing to put up with watching a few games on the weekend. This said, we do end up spending a fair amount of money on the weekends, watching the three football teams I follow. I've thought about creating that sports bar feel at home, without making the place look cheesy or cheap.

The place to start may just be with a few classy looking jersey wall hangings. The best jersey wall hangings, in my opinion, are clean, new or unused throwback jerseys. Those jerseys can be expensive, so we'd like to offer a tip on how to display them in an inexpensive manner.

Check out this company, Ultra Mount. The mounts are inexpensive compared to other company's displays and they look nice. When the jersey seems out of date on the wall, you can either wait it out until the thing becomes throwback, or replace the jersey with your favorite rookie.

Throw in a few comfortable chairs, an extra beer frigde, and a large TV, and you're well on you way to setting up an at home sports bar.

Should you be wearing that jersey, anyway?

One San Francisco Chronicle author has an amusing take on whether or not you should be wearing that jersey or not. It all depends on your age, really. Take this quick quiz at the bottom of this article and find out if you should donate that jersey.

Minnesota Wild Third Jersey Leaked

Icethetics has leaked the Minnesota Wild's new alternate jersey. This is the first Minnesota Wild jersey I've actually liked. The red and green of their first three uniforms could only remind me of Christmas. And sure, the NHL season overlaps with the month of December, but nothing prevents me from getting over my Holiday Season Hangover more than seeing bright Santa colors in mid-April.

Should I Buy That New Favre Jersey?

A few weeks ago, I offered the following advice, wait until the ink is dry on that Brett Favre contract to buy a jersey. Well, after another retirement head fake, Favre has finally signed with the Vikings and he did end up sticking with the number four.

So - should you click your way over to NFL.com to buy that new Favre jersey? The short answer? It depends.

The longer answer? It depends on how often you wear jerseys. I'm the type of guy that only wears jerseys on gameday. When Sunday rolls around in the fall, I already have my Adrian Peterson jersey - so why would I drop another pretty penny on a player that will likely only be around for one season. Let's say you find a deal on eBay and buy a jersey for $70 with shipping and handling. If you only wear it during regular season and playoff games that works out to about $3.50 per wear. Now let's say Adrian Peterson sticks around in the league and with the Vikings for another four years (a fairly conservative estimate). The same jersey would cost you maybe $0.97 per wear.

Let me boil it down for you to a simple NFL jersey philosophy. Don't waste your hard earned cash on jerseys of grizzled free agent veterans or brand new rookies. Wait until you team drafts a player that has a breakout rookie season, then buy a jersey before year two. That way, you'll have a jersey of a great player and you'll be able to wear it for the longest amount of time.

Mailbox: Small or Large, Poly or Wool 5950s?

Hi there, my name is Thad and I am a fan of your blog, in particular your post about breaking in a New Era 5950. I recently purchased one that is Polyester, unlike my previous Wool one. My old wool one was a little snugger, and took a long time to fit in, but is just right now. My new one is a little looser, hoping that would be ok/more comfortable. I guess my overall question for you is: is it better for the new polyester New Era's to fit a little tighter or looser? Thanks a lot.

Hey Thad! I'll answer this e-mail rather briefly because I've recently just purchased a great hat while thinking about these issues. I should add that wearing a hat that is too small gives me a headache.

I tend to favor hats that are a little loose at first and polyester. The material breathes better and lasts longer and will not become too tight over time. Also, you can use some of our poly specific techniques for shaping the dome. The hats will naturally fit to your head a bit over time, not as much as their wool cousins, but just enough to conform to your head if you wear the hat enough.

Best of luck and thanks for reading!

My Advice on that new Favre Jersey?

Will Brett Favre being signing with the Minnesota Vikings in the coming days? It is certainly looking like a strong possibility. So, should you buy that new Favre jersey so you can be the first one on the block with what is sure to be the NFL's top selling jersey this year?

My advice? I'd wait.

Remember that Randy Moss changed his number. Joe Montana changed his number. Brett Favre might want to wipe the slate clean after a disappointing finish in New York.

John David Booty - the QB way down on the Vikings depth chart - does happen to sport the same number as his idol, Favre. Booty would likely give up the number to Favre, if asked, but Brett may be looking to sport a new number with a new, rival team.

On the other hand, maybe you could make money on a #4 jersey in a few years. Forty years from now this stuff could be worth a lot if Favre chooses to stay retired.