Artifact Study of an Olympiakos Soccer Jersey
by Mark S. Lewis
submitted 11/14/95
Introduction
The artifact of appearance I have chosen is a soccer jersey representing
Olympiakos, a team in the top Greek league. I acquired this article of
clothing during the summer of 1995. Many factors have contributed to my
interest in Greek soccer jerseys. These include
Identification
History
This jersey was manufactured in Greece most likely by a textile or
clothing company that has a merchandising agreement with the Olympiakos
organization. In early June of 1995 my uncle Petro bought the jersey,
along with other sports items, and mailed them to my home. He intended
for my brother and I to split the contents of the package; however, I
quickly claimed all the items as my own after my brother expressed no
interest in the jerseys. Since that day I have had the jersey in my
possession.
Material
The jersey is constructed from a mix of several obviously artificial
fabrics. Unlike football or lacrosse jerseys, it does not have a very
open weave. The insignia, number, and sponsor logo are made from felt
and attached to the jersey.
Construction
The workmanship of the jersey seems to be average. There are no major
flaws in the design or material. The only apparent imperfection is a
small thread unraveling on the sleeve. From the material and
workmanship, it is safe to assume that the jersey was mass-produced.
Design
Evaluation
This jersey performs its functions adequately. The aesthetic design of
the garment is attractive and eye-catching, thus promoting the team and
sponsor. The workmanship, although not superb, is more than is needed
for the jersey to perform its functions.
When compared to other sports jerseys, my Olympiakos one stands in the
middle of the pack. A large number of very poorly made jerseys
exists. These jerseys typically use only cheap synthetic materials and are
very uncomfortable to wear. There are also many jerseys of better design
and higher
quality, but these are also very expensive. An authentic World Cup
jersey costs forty five dollars or more at Three Stripe on Route One. I
estimate mine cost between fifteen and twenty five dollars. I prefer my
jersey to a higher quality one simply because I feel mine has more bang
to the buck.
My jersey promotes Olympiakos better than another item, such as a hat or
T-shirt, could. The red and white jersey is very eye-catching and is
more likely to be noticed than a small hat or simple T-shirt. Anyone
with the slightest amount of familiarity of Olympiakos could identify
the jersey at a distance.
Cultural Analysis
To most people, this soccer jersey is simply a representation of the
team. It advertises the team and its sponsor and at the same time
serves as an article of clothing. The wearer is identified as a fan of
both soccer and Olympiakos.
To various subcultures, this jersey holds different meanings. People of
Greek heritage would associate the jersey with someone of the same
ancestry as themselves. Since very few people in the States follow the
Greek soccer league, it is safe to assume that someone wearing this
jersey is Greek. The jersey also shows that Greek heritage is something
of which the wearer is very proud and has no problem flaunting.
Soccer enthusiasts react similarly to the jersey, only they immediately
label the wearer a fellow soccer fan. This is also a safe assumption
due to poor, but growing, popularity of soccer in the United States.
People here would not wear a jersey or other article of clothing without
knowing what it signified.
It is evident that the jersey is an identifier for the wearer. Thus it
is a way to be included in the two subcultures discussed above. This
fact is sometimes exploited by people wishing to associate with another
group. The jersey is like a free membership pass into two subcultures.
A third subculture that views the Olympiakos jersey as more than a
simple shirt is one I mentioned in the Introduction. Due to the extreme
commercialization of this subculture and the barrage of terms relating
to it, many different names exist for it. For simplicity, I will call
this subculture the alternative subculture. This jersey, and others
like it, are gaining popularity amongst the alternative subculture. A
jersey, preferably from a soccer team, is acceptable alternative
attire. This is due to several items, including
Interpretation
My Olympiakos jersey holds deep meaning to me for several reasons. Most
of these reasons are common with society, but some are personal reasons.
The jersey has sentimental value to me since it is a gift from a
relative. Very rarely do I receive a gift that I cherish as much as
this jersey. On several occasions I have been asked to give up this
jersey, and each time I have emphasized that I will never part with it.
I also use the jersey to identify myself as part of a subculture. The
subcultures I hope to be identified with were discussed in the Cultural Analysis section. I hope people see me wearing
the jersey and associate me with being Greek, being a soccer fan, and
being part of the alternative (how I despise that term) subculture.
I think the association between the jersey and the alternative
subculture is the strongest reason behind me wearing it. Basically, I
like the jersey because few other people wear them, people don't
recognize immediately what Olympiakos is, and it is considered
unconventional to wear them. This jersey is the way I use something I
like to be different.
Another reason I like to wear the jersey is because it creates for me an
ambivalence of status, a characteristic of fashion explained in Davis'
Fashion, Culture, and Identity. This concept is that people can
use fashion to change, at least in appearance, their status. I use this
to make myself appear as not only a soccer fan, but also a player. For
some reason, I wish to associate myself with this group of people when I
really do not consider myself part of their subculture. The other
groups I associate with using the jersey I do consider myself a part of
and thus no ambivalence is created.
Conclusion
Using Fleming's model of an artifact study, I have determined that an
Olympiakos soccer jersey is an artifact of appearance whose main
functions all associate the wearer with particular subcultures. The
fashion functions out of Davis' book that the jersey performs are
antifashion, and ambivalence of status. To me, the jersey shows who I
am and who I try to be.