Halloween night was epic for many reasons.
It was epic for the first of many times, I successfully pulled off dressing like a man.
It was also epic because I met a fellow vintage-lover, who taught me the ways of the “Zubaz.”
We were in the kitchen of a Halloween house party off Graham in Williamsburg, and the conversation went a bit like this:
*****
After meeting a random party-goer from Minneapolis with a costume inspired by a Harper’s Bazaar spread inspired by Tim Burton (for serious), we got to talking about vintage (for serious, of course).
Random Party-Goer to Me: “You should totally talk to Shannon about Zubaz! She loves them!”
[except due to the deafening noise, I thought she was saying “Zuma” or some version there-of]
Me to Shannon: “What are Zumas?”
Random Party Goer: “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT ZUBAZ ARE?!”
Shannon: “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT ZUBAZ ARE?!”
[Yeah, it was that serious]
*****
So after being publicly humiliated by the fact that I didn’t know what the hell these “Zuma-Zuba-Zima-Zena-ZUBAZ” things even were, I did a bit of research.
Conclusion: Zubaz are the heterosexual male’s acceptance of the zebra print — through football (and sports in general).
Just check out the picture below to see what I mean:
Zubaz are more than just warm-up pants. They’re bold pieces of sports ensemble to a powerful football player (or fan’s) wardrobe.
The late 80s- early ’90s style throwbacks come most commonly in this hypnotic, v-angled black/white zebra design. But, depending on the football team at hand, the colors can vary to fit team branding.
Like this happy fan, reppin’ his Zubaz on gameday for the Redskins:
Want a pair of these coveted babies? Well, Shannon admitted that she became so obsessed with the pants, that she contacted the founders/body-builders to buy them out of deadstock of the approaching double-decade old pants.
She promised to give Sammy Davis Vintage an original (vintage) pair. Should I wear them when the Phillies beat the Yanks tonight. Hell yes.
Let’s just hope I don’t look like this guy.