Welcome to the start of year another ongoing series that I’ll attempt to get me to pay attention to my own blog more. I’m calling this one Irish Shirts Are Smiling, and it’ll be a spinoff of last year’s ever-so-popular, “Who Cares If Your Team’s Colors Aren’t Green,” which was a look at three examples of St. Patrick’s Day 2010 hockey t-shirts. This year, I’m starting earlier and I’m going to open it up to all sports, not just hockey. And I swear, I’m going to keep up with this series because St. Patrick’s Day is my mother’s, who is half Irish, favorite holiday. So here’s a blog series for you, Mom, since I can’t come home and have corned beef with you.
Given that this series is devoted to my mom, one of the most devoted Buffalo Bills fans I know, I figured I would begin with a look at the Bills’ St. Patrick’s Day offerings, first advertised Thursday via email.
The men's "Celtic Buffalo" shirt for 2011. Available for $25.
Perfect for spending March 17th sipping a Labatt Blue or Genny Cream Ale and enjoying a beef on weck, this hunter green shirt hits you over the head with shamrocks. It’s pretty clear cut – you’re a Bills fan and you’re Irish, or at least want to be. This shirt is just eh. I think it could sell, especially among die-hards, and it’s not horrible looking. But unlike most Bills wear, it’s not tugging at my heart strings, making me want to buy it before the team no longer exists.
The Bills' "Clover Frenzy" Women's St. Patrick's Day shirt. Available for $25.
While the men’s St. Patrick’s Day edition Bills shirt was mildly okay, the women’s edition is just plain horrendous. Entited ‘Clover Frenzy,” it took me way too long to realize the Bills type was to outline a clover. Instead, I initially thought the following things:
1) The Ls looked to mimic two breasts.
2) The Ls looked like Buffalo drumstick wings gone bad, hense their green tinge.
3) The Ls looked like a heart, making this a Valentine’s Day shirt design they just repurposed.
If a woman has any semblance of a chest, then the Bills type is just going to look misshapen, and you will not be able to discern anything about the clover it is to outline. And if anyone attempts to figure out what it is supposed to resemble, the wearer is going to think they are staring at their chest. And depending on your thoughts on that matter, that may not be a desirable thing.
Alas, this shirt is just awful, and I bet even my St. Patrick’s Day and Buffalo Bills loving mother will not be persuaded to wear this one.
Both shirts are available at The Bills Store online. I wasn’t paid or sponsored for this post in anyway. If you have a St. Patrick’s Day sports shirt you want me to promote, send me an email and we’ll chat.