2010 Fifa World Cup Fashion Kick-Off!

Blow your own trumpet!

Get ready for some unique fashion statement at the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa for the first time. It won't just be your favorite players in their World Cup soccer jerseys vying for your attention! Soccer World Cup fans are all set to up the temperature with their traditional vuvuzelas - those trumpets that sound like busy bumbling bees every time the ball enters the net!

A hat for every head

You can expect vuvuzelas to mingle with makarabas making for a complete riot of sound and color! Makaraba hats were first worn in South Africa in the 70s as protection against bottles or other flying objects! Later, all kinds of designs and add-ons were fixed onto these hard builder hats making them a must have fashion statement. They've become so popular that no hard core football fan can be seen without one! Makarabas representing the participating teams in the 2010 World Cup are being designed on a war footing. Each hat is painstakingly prepared by hand and cut into a unique shape and design, so it takes anywhere between 8 to 14 hours to make one! These colorful works of art make for great souvenirs of the much awaited World Cup.

Soccer Sells!

Besides this, there are all kinds of merchandise you can pick up to declare your loyalty for your team from custom-made soccer apparel to watches, mugs, scarves, wallets, bedspreads and DVDs. And you can find something to suit your pocket. Replica team jerseys are probably the most common and popular choice with fans. After all, nothing beats wearing your team colors during a match while you're at the stadium in front of the TV! It's a heady experience of loyalty, pride and togetherness.

Sports Collection

Puma made sure it wasn't left behind in this football frenzy! It joined hands with fashion expert Neil Barrett to launch an athletic lifestyle collection that covers everything from hooded sweatshirts to tees, cargoes to blouson jackets. The focus is on functional fibers, distressed washes and embellished applications giving it a fashionable yet comfortable look. Barrett, a giant in the fashion industry with names like Prada and Gucci under his belt, was inspired by the protective armor worn by Roman gladiators! He added his own layered signature to it. And voila!

Beckham Mayhem

Britain's star player David Beckham has made soccer super fashionable! It's no longer just about the game; it's about cash rich sponsorships, global sports brands and celebrity endorsements. LA Galaxy roped in Beckham to wear their new soccer shirt making it the fastest selling shirt ever! More than a quarter million were ordered even before the design was revealed thanks to Becks! The home shirt is similar to Real Madrid's, while the away shirt comes in a three dimensional design in navy blue with hints of yellow. The good thing is this soccer shirt has been designed to be worn outside the stadium as well.

With so much going on in the world of soccer fashion, the choices are plenty and increasing by the day. So, take your pick and make your own style statement!