How has lacrosse become the fastest-growing team sport in the US. What defines the Lax Bro culture and fashion. Why are lacrosse players considered gear junkies. How much does lacrosse equipment and apparel cost.
The Explosive Growth of Lacrosse in America
Lacrosse has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity across the United States, establishing itself as the fastest-growing team sport in the country. This surge in interest has led to a significant shift in youth sports participation, with many young athletes opting for lacrosse over traditional sports like baseball. The sport’s appeal lies not only in its fast-paced, dynamic nature but also in the unique culture and lifestyle that has developed around it.
Factors Contributing to Lacrosse’s Popularity
- Fast-paced, high-scoring gameplay
- Combines elements of multiple sports (hockey, basketball, soccer)
- Opportunities for both boys and girls to play
- Growing collegiate and professional leagues
- Increased media coverage and exposure
The rapid growth of lacrosse has created a thriving market for specialized equipment, training camps, club teams, and a distinctive line of lacrosse-inspired apparel. This expansion has given rise to the “Lax Bro” culture, a phenomenon that extends beyond the playing field and into everyday life.
The Emergence of Lax Bro Culture
The term “Lax Bro” – short for “lacrosse brothers” – has become synonymous with a particular lifestyle and fashion sense associated with lacrosse players and enthusiasts. This subculture has developed its own set of norms, preferences, and trends that extend far beyond the confines of the sport itself.
Defining Characteristics of Lax Bro Culture
- Distinctive fashion choices
- Passion for lacrosse gear and equipment
- Specific music preferences
- Laid-back, “chill” attitude
- Strong sense of camaraderie among players
The Lax Bro aesthetic has become so pervasive that it has influenced fashion trends even among non-players, creating a recognizable look that is both casual and stylish.
The Lacrosse Equipment Market: A Gear Junkie’s Paradise
One of the most notable aspects of lacrosse culture is the emphasis placed on equipment and gear. Many players are self-proclaimed “gear heads,” constantly seeking the latest and most advanced equipment to enhance their performance and style on the field.
Essential Lacrosse Equipment
- Lacrosse stick (shaft and head)
- Helmet
- Shoulder pads
- Arm pads
- Gloves
- Cleats
The market for lacrosse equipment has expanded significantly, offering a wide range of options for players of all skill levels. From entry-level packages to high-end, customized gear, there’s something for every player and budget.
The Cost of Being a Lax Bro: Equipment and Apparel Prices
Participating in lacrosse can be a significant financial investment, particularly for those who embrace the Lax Bro lifestyle fully. The costs associated with equipment and apparel can quickly add up, making lacrosse one of the more expensive youth sports to pursue.
Equipment Costs
- Entry-level equipment package: Approximately $160
- High-end, customized helmet: $200+
- Premium lacrosse gloves: Nearly $200
- Top-tier lacrosse stick (shaft and head): $300-$400
Lax Bro Fashion Costs
- Board shorts: $10-$45
- Flat-brim hats: $20
- Half-calf socks: $8-$11
- Branded t-shirts and apparel: $20-$50
While these costs may seem steep, many lacrosse players view their equipment and apparel as investments in both their performance and their identity within the Lax Bro community.
The Evolution of Lacrosse Shorts: From Field to Fashion Statement
Lacrosse shorts have become an iconic element of Lax Bro fashion, transcending their original purpose as athletic wear to become a staple of casual, preppy style. The evolution of lacrosse shorts reflects the broader trend of athletic apparel crossing over into everyday fashion.
Key Features of Lacrosse Shorts
- Longer inseam for increased coverage and mobility
- Durable, moisture-wicking materials
- Bold colors and patterns
- Comfortable, relaxed fit
- Often adorned with team logos or lacrosse-themed graphics
Brands like Brine and STX have long been at the forefront of lacrosse short design, with their offerings becoming highly coveted items both on and off the field. The popularity of these shorts has led to a broader market for lacrosse-inspired casual wear, with many fashion brands now producing their own versions of the classic lacrosse short.
The Business of Lacrosse: A Growing Industry
The rise of lacrosse and Lax Bro culture has created numerous business opportunities within the sports industry. From equipment manufacturers to apparel companies, many enterprises have capitalized on the sport’s growing popularity and the distinctive lifestyle associated with it.
Key Players in the Lacrosse Industry
- Equipment manufacturers (Brine, STX, Warrior)
- Apparel companies (Flow Society, Lax Unlimited)
- Specialty retailers (Commonwealth Lacrosse)
- Training camps and academies
- Professional leagues (Premier Lacrosse League, National Lacrosse League)
The lacrosse industry has shown remarkable growth in recent years, with sales of equipment and apparel reaching new heights. This growth has been fueled not only by the increasing number of players but also by the expansion of the sport into new markets and demographics.
The Impact of Lax Bro Culture on Youth Sports and Society
The rise of Lax Bro culture has had a significant impact on youth sports and broader societal trends. While the culture has been celebrated for its emphasis on camaraderie and self-expression, it has also faced criticism for promoting exclusivity and reinforcing certain stereotypes.
Positive Aspects of Lax Bro Culture
- Encourages physical activity and team sports participation
- Fosters a sense of community and belonging
- Promotes self-expression through fashion and personal style
- Provides opportunities for leadership and personal growth
Potential Drawbacks and Criticisms
- High costs may create barriers to entry for some players
- Emphasis on gear and fashion may overshadow the sport itself
- Perception of exclusivity or elitism
- Potential reinforcement of gender and socioeconomic stereotypes
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, it will be important for the sport’s governing bodies, coaches, and participants to address these concerns and work towards making the sport more inclusive and accessible to all.
The Future of Lacrosse and Lax Bro Culture
As lacrosse continues to evolve and expand its reach, the future of the sport and its associated culture looks bright. With growing participation at youth, collegiate, and professional levels, lacrosse is poised to become an even more significant part of the American sports landscape.
Trends Shaping the Future of Lacrosse
- Increasing diversity in player demographics
- Expansion of professional leagues and media coverage
- Integration of technology in equipment and training
- Growing international presence and Olympic aspirations
- Evolution of Lax Bro fashion and lifestyle brands
As the sport continues to grow, it’s likely that Lax Bro culture will also evolve, potentially becoming more inclusive and diverse while retaining its core elements of style, camaraderie, and passion for the game.
The rise of lacrosse and Lax Bro culture represents a fascinating intersection of sports, fashion, and youth culture. As the sport continues to gain popularity and influence, it will be interesting to see how this unique subculture evolves and shapes the broader landscape of American athletics and fashion.
‘Lax Bro’ culture creates new niche market
Business
Lacrosse player Kristopher Campbell, 13, of Longmeadow, displayed some of his lacrosse gear at home. Campbell is part of a growing number of kids drawn to the sport, many seen as gear junkies for their desire to own the most colorful and fun products.
Matthew Cavanaugh for The Boston Globe
By Legacy User
Lacrosse has caught the imagination of tens of thousands of youths, becoming the fastest growing team sport in the United States, stealing players from local town baseball teams and attracting businesses seeking profits for specialized lacrosse gear, camps, clubs, and growing line of lacrosse apparel. Pictured is Beau Keough, 9, playing lacrosse with his brothers.
As lacrosse has gained more followers, the ways to spend money on it also have increased.
Entry-level equipment packages for an elementary school boy sell for about $160 and usually include a stick, helmet, shoulder and arm pads, and gloves. Pictured is lacrosse player Kristopher Campbell, 13, of Longmeadow, displaying some of his lacrosse gear.Experienced players can opt for color-customized, gladiator-style helmets priced at more than $200, and padded gloves that cost nearly $200. Lacrosse sticks can be bought in parts, with a high-end pole selling for nearly $300 and the pocket, or head, costing another $100. Pictured is Charles Wemyss, 20, an employee at Commonwealth Lacrosse.
Many lacrosse players are “gear heads” — they collect a variety of sticks, using some for games and others for hanging out with their Lax Bro — short for “lacrosse brothers’’ — buddies.
Campbell said he owns 10 sticks and is always looking for something newer and better. Campbell said he finances his equipment by stringing sticks for friends and teammates.
He has been playing lacrosse since he was 3 years old and is currently on two teams. Being a Lax Bro, he said, is all about the look and the love of the game.A growing number of lacrosse-lifestyle items are hitting the market. Local stores like Commonwealth Lacrosse, with seven locations in Massachusetts, sell an array of socks, hats and T-shirts, including those that read, “Lax Bro” and “Welcome to Laxachusetts.” The shops feature products by a New York company called Flow Society, which claims to “represent the flow of the game and the flow of energy from a growing culture.” Its website includes a video of young lacrosse players running through a chateau-like, chandelier-studded space. Pictured is Liam Peck, 9, of Sherborn, checking out a new glove at Commonwealth Lacrosse.
Off the field, people who embrace the Lax Bro culture wear their hair long, dress in colorful board shorts, flat-brim hats, and bright half-calf socks.
They carry lacrosse sticks, or “spoons,” on and off field, and enjoy chillin’ to the music of O.A.R., Dispatch, and Dave Matthews.To achieve the off-the-field look, items Lax Bros need to buy can cost $10-$45 for board shorts, $20 for flat-brim hats, and $8-$11 for half-calf socks.
Entry-level equipment packages for an elementary school boy sell for about $160 and usually include a stick, helmet, shoulder and arm pads, and gloves. Pictured is lacrosse player Kristopher Campbell, 13, of Longmeadow, displaying some of his lacrosse gear.
He has been playing lacrosse since he was 3 years old and is currently on two teams. Being a Lax Bro, he said, is all about the look and the love of the game.
They carry lacrosse sticks, or “spoons,” on and off field, and enjoy chillin’ to the music of O.A.R., Dispatch, and Dave Matthews.A Tribute To Lax Shorts
Complex Original
Image via Complex Original
Last August, 60 all-star high-schoolers visited Beaverton, OR to participate in THE RIDE, the ultimate lacrosse experience. On staff were Kyle Harrison (Johns Hopkins grad, 2005 Tewaaraton Trophy as National Player of the Year and founder of the LXM Pro Tour) and Max Seibald (Cornell grad and 2009 Tewaaraton winner). After a day of drills, Harrison and Seibald called the kids into a large circle. “Now is your time to ask us questions,” said Seibald. “Anything about school or lax you want.”
“What do you do other than lacrosse?” asked a spotty faced kid from some eastern state.
“Other than lacrosse? What is there?” replied Harrison.
The assembled youth cheered. Their hero had affirmed a lifestyle and suggested that in being “more than a game,” lacrosse could also (potentially) form a viable career path. That was, of course, a bold-faced lie.
Very few guys make money from lacrosse. However, what the sport lacks in economic opportunity, it makes up for in style. Within the pantheon of shorts, those worn for lax and by lax bros have no equal. The garment is, unequivocally, the great high/low play in menswear history, equipping generations of preps for seamless field-to-kegger movement.
In the ’90s, the two giants of the game, Brine and STX, produced lax shorts. Brine’s offerings were more nuanced, with a longer inseam than outseam and broader tapping finishing at a notched hem. STX’s version was more akin to the standard Champion mesh short, though equally covetable to the Brine style depending on what school was desired.
School, of course, was important. In West Hartford, CT, for example, Towson shorts were king, followed by Hopkins, ‘Cuse and UVA—a hierarchy established, at times, by obscurity with minor concern for actual program success. If one was lucky enough to swipe a wide collection from local prep schools, he was a god.
Thanks to the brilliant minds at Lacrosse Unlimited, lax shorts are back. The retailer has bridged the unthinkable, tying bro culture to Internet memes. Fancy shorts with cats flying in outer space? Lacrosse Unlimited has realized that dream. The store also carries shorts that celebrate the great bro pastimes like beer pong and wearing seersucker. Of course, college team shorts are also available.
The one slight in the current lax short market is the lack of authentic game togs. Warrior’s throwback Denver kit would be an instant success. Given the triumph of the Thompson twins, it’s remarkable that Albany shorts are impossible to find. While Nike does offer practice shorts for most of its schools, the game shorts remain outside the scope of retail.
So too do shorts from both pro leagues—the MLL and NLL—prompting the question: Why miss a golden opportunity?
Hunting the perfect pair requires dexterous keyboarding and Google savvy. Lacrosse shorts are not a game for the timid. There is an art to the perfect purchase, a deft balance of wit and understanding of the sport’s insider-y sense of good, better, best. Once cracked, it makes Michael Bastian’s understanding of prep seem outright pedestrian. Sometimes it is simply a measure of picking the most outrageous pair possible.
Which brings us to a final important point: What to wear with lacrosse shorts exactly? Pennies are preferable. Weathered T-shirts or those cut neatly at the waist (why bother with movement impairing excess fabric?) are a strong secondary option. If one decides to wear lax shorts on a date, pair with an Oxford. And, if one decides to pay homage to the pioneers of reverse layering, don lax shorts under a pair of cut off khakis.
Check out the gallery above for the Four Pins market guide to the best lax shorts available right now.
SportsOpinionFour Pins
Microtrend: loose shorts
Fashion blog author Anastasia Alekseenko likes to highlight global trends that remain for a long time, and seasonal ones that are applicable in rarer cases, but often more exciting. To the second, the stylist attributed loose shorts. Let’s learn more about them!
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Fashion trends 2018
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Anastasia Alekseenko
Author of “Fashion Blog”
I am very glad that this season (and not only this season, but now there are especially many of them) loose shorts are in trend, which are slightly or strongly flared and have a trapezoidal silhouette.
This is a real salvation for those whose hips are far from ideal. Personally, even in my worst years, it seemed to me that tight-fitting short denim shorts were not a very complimentary option for my appearance. But free models – that’s it. The optimal combination of comfort and beautiful appearance. These shorts look great with T-shirts, short tops, jackets and cardigans. They are universal and suit almost everyone.
Why is this short model good? They are wide at the bottom, so you will never get into a situation where your legs are constricted by the shorts in their fullest part. Moreover, it is due to this width of the trouser legs that the legs will even seem a little slimmer.
ADVERTISING – CONTINUED BELOW
In summer, sets in the style that I dubbed “fishing village vacation” are in demand – most often it is a blue and white stripe. But “beach” and tropical prints are also popular.
There are a lot of high-waisted models this season. As if high and very loose shorts were simply pulled together with a belt at the waist.
Just in case, I consider it necessary to clarify that in such a model one should not rely only on a belt. Shorts should sit well at the waist without it, and the belt is more of a decorative detail.
Item 1 of 4
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it is no longer necessary to enter only into a beach context. They are great for a casual urban look. Or even for a trip to the office, if your corporate rules allow it. Do not forget that in this case it is worth combining shorts with rather strict shoes without a heel. Neither the relaxation of rope sandals, nor the frivolity of studs will be in place here. Even if you choose open shoes because of the heat, they should look concise and strict. I remind you that I’m talking about the office version. Just for a walk in a hot summer city, the choice is much wider.
Item 1 of 5 become part of a romantic image. If you are focusing on romance or fashion, then heeled shoes or other catchy accessories will be quite appropriate.
Anastasia Alekseenko, author of Fashion Blog
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Heading: Pants, skirts, shorts, Patterns for women’s clothing, Sewing and sewing lessons, SEWING AND CUTTING, I sew myself (free patterns, description)
If you know how to or at least want to sew, then you don’t have to go to the store to buy shorts. Here are some shorts you can make yourself.
Women’s High Waist Loose Shorts – Patterns
WOMEN’S EUR SIZE:
36 (chest-waist-hips) 82-66-88
38 (chest-waist-hips) 86-70-92
40 (chest-waist-hips) 90-74-96
42 (chest-waist-hips) 94-78-100
44 (chest-waist-hips) 98-82-104
46 (chest-waist- hips) 102-86-108
48 (chest-waist-hips) 106-90-112
50 (chest-waist-hips) 110-94-116
52 (chest-waist-hips) 114-98-120
54 (Chest-Waist-Hips) 118-102-124
56 (Chest-Waist-Hips) 122-106-128
An easy way to sew stylish high waist shorts with a belt
You will need:
- cloth ;
- sewing tools;
- elastic band;
- non-woven tape
And first you need to make such a pattern for the front of the leg and pocket.
When taking measurements, you need to focus on the girth of the hips and height. The pocket lining can be made from the main fabric or from the lining fabric.
Next, with a strip of non-woven fabric, we glue the place of the allowance on the leg, so that the tape comes into the allowance by about 5 mm. Then we fold the parts face to face, combining the cuts, and sew at a distance of 1 cm from the cut. After the allowance, iron on the front part. Now you need to make a transition, that is, the front part should protrude 1 mm above the pocket part.
Now we make a pattern of the second part of the pocket, put it on top of the first one, combine the cuts and sew with an overlock. After ironing.
Next, sew the bartacks at both ends of the pocket, laying the stitches at a distance of 5 mm from the edge. The pocket is ready, with the second part of the front we do the same.
Then fold the two pieces together before sewing face to face at a distance of 1 cm from the cut.
After we process the cut on the overlock and iron it on the left side. The front is ready.
Now make a pattern for the back halves of the shorts and fold them face to face. Then we lay a line at a distance of 1 cm from the cut. Then we process the cut and iron it on the right side. The back is ready.
Then we combine the side cuts of the front and back parts, while focusing on the bartacks on the pockets. Then we lay a line at a distance of 1 cm from the cut. We process the cut with an overlock and iron it to the side of the back of the shorts. After we combine the line between the legs, we lay out the allowances in different directions and, similarly to the previous cases, we sew and iron in the direction of the front half of the shorts.
Now we make a pattern of such details, these are future flip flops. We fold them in half, make a line and turn them out on the face.
The resulting parts are applied to the side seams, stitched. Such details can be additionally fixed on the marks on the pockets and along the back seam.
Then the belt will hold better.
Now we make a pattern for the top of the shorts. We fold the parts face to face and lay the same line as in the previous cases. On one side we leave a hole of 1.5 cm for the elastic.
Fold the resulting top piece in half and iron. Here’s what should happen. We mark 3.5 cm from the bottom, if the width of the elastic band is 2 cm, if 3 cm, then we mark 4.5 cm. We lay a line along the resulting line.
We combine the top part with the main part on the sides and sew at a distance of 1 cm from the cut, which is processed at the end. We iron the allowance on the side of the shorts.
Getting to the flip flops. They need to be bent by 5 mm and laid a zigzag line.
Next, hem the bottom. To do this, we outline 2 lines from the bottom: 5 mm and 2 cm. After that, we bend 5 mm, fasten with pins and lay a line at a distance of 1 mm from the fold. We iron well.
Now insert the elastic, straighten it inside and lay a small fastening stitch along the front and back seam.
Finally, we sew a belt by simply folding a piece of fabric of the required size in half. We pass the belt and you’re done, you can try on!
And below you can watch a detailed video on how to sew these shorts yourself.
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Blouse in 11 minutes.
