RCB is apparently getting a new and improved jersey for CLT20. RCB Director, Sidhartha Mallya mentioned there was a need for a change because players like Praveen Kumar who had to make do with a jersey 3 times his size all this while. Well, PK is not the only only one who is unhappy with the current jersey. I also have found it lacking and have decided to give it a much needed makeover.

Okay, I should probably mention I’m studying fashion design so I do have the proper credentials to go ahead with this intensive surgery. And because I’m in the field of all things fashion and fabulous, I think it says a lot about my passion for RCB that I’ve donned the jersey in public. Multiple times.

Now before you write me off as a  superficial fan, let me tell you a story. I was a member of Bangalore’s Mighty 14 and a goof up occured - me and another person were given the same “R” jersey(all 14 of us wearing the jerseys would spell out “RC FANATIC FANS!”). Nidhi dived into her bag and pulled out an XL “C” jersey and looked at the two “R"s. I was so mortified at the sight, I smirked, thinking to myself, ‘Like I’d be caught wearing that tent size jersey.’ And in a plot twist I never saw coming, Nidhi assumed I was smiling and thus, volunteering to wear the jersey. At this point, I blacked out - I can’t remember a thing…except by the end of the day I was sporting the XL jersey. Keep in mind, I’m a person who has never even worn a medium before.

The team had done it’s part and won convincingly against Kings XI and almost made me forget my situation. That is, until I bumped into our victorious team at the hotel lobby. It was an out-of-body experience - I was watching myself chatting with Roelof van der Merwe, former Miss Universe Michelle McLean, and getting a pic with Rahul Dravid, all the while,  wearing a jersey as unflattering as a potato sack. Luckily, a greater power intervened and the photo with Dravid was lost. Unfortunately the pictures of me with Merwe - totally intact. You can only imagine my reaction when I discovered, after closer inspection, that (gasp!) even his sleeves were shorter than mine!

I decided at that moment I needed to give the jersey a face lift. And it’s not just because of my encounter with the monster that was the XL jersey(cue thunder and lightning). It’s sport jerseys in general that are to blame. You see, they’re not all that ideally suited for girls. They’re loose and have long sleeves and generally appear to add a few pounds. You’ll see guys or kids(who can pull off the oversized jersey look with aplomb) wear their jersey during off season, but have you ever seen a girl do that? We’ll wear them to games, sure, but even then as much as we try to roll those gosh darn long sleeves up we know we just can’t compare to the Mischief Gals. Or Katrina Kaif.

So far I’ve created two jerseys:

Jersey A: Figure-hugging. Cap sleeve. Pleated tier at hem. Scrunched up sleeve detail. Sporty, funky, and feminine.

Jersey B Option 1: Figure-hugging. Cap sleeve. Drop waist. Zipper ruffle tier at hem. This is to be worn over pants, etc. Ideally, zipper ruffle tier would probably start a few inches below, but I didn’t have fabric to work with. Zipper detail gives the look a glamorous edge.

Jersey B Option 2: This is the above Jersey B as a dress option.  And yes, length would be extended so it ends a little above the knee. Again, the zipper detail gives the dress an edgy look.

During the Fan Summit, Nidhi generously introduced me to the RCB management and they asked me to get a photoshoot done and mail them the pictures. Hopefully the powers that be will realize this as an opportunity for RCB to set the bar even higher. Ramya’s custom-made sneakers were a hit with fans on her blog which proves this can also be successful. Dravid mentioned IPL has brought a lot more women and children into the stadiums so RCB would do well to tap a market which has been ignored in the IPL - the female fan base. I’ve recieved a positive response to this from my friends, many of whom have zero interest in cricket or are fans of other IPL teams(this is what happens if you’re in fashion school). RCB’s very own Nidhi and Natasha have also expressed interest in wearing it.

Now Natasha has given me the green signal to officially unveil this exclusively-for-girls jersey to you, the RCB fans and I want to know what you think. Keep in mind, the jerseys I created are just a prototype and I’m still a student so things can be improved and tweaked. And guys, don’t feel left out, I want to know what you think also!