One Night, Two Sports, Millions Of Fans: 2016 NFL Season And New York Fashion Week Kick Off Simultaneously, Uniting Sport And Style

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Football and fashion converged yesterday in a cross-country encounter with the kickoff of both New York Fashion Week: The Shows (NYFW) and the 2016 NFL Regular Season in Denver. The excitement wasn't just on the field or on the runway – it was in the seats and on the streets where fans of both sports eagerly kicked off their respective seasons.

Steve Weatherford, NFL veteran, and Brooklyn Decker, actress, style expert and NFL fan, were in New York City and Denver respectively to uncover what the fashionistas and football fans were wearing on this momentous day.

"Opening night of New York Fashion Week reminded me of my days playing football – when all that backend preparation and hours of film study and practice make game day look easy and effortless," reminisced Weatherford, as he reported from the red carpet on NYFW's opening night. "I was honestly surprised to see so many incredibly progressive trendsetters mixing casual and formal items together with ease... it made me feel like maybe I do know what I am doing," he joked dressed in an NFL T-shirt, structured blazer and dark jeans.

"New York Fashion Week is starting tonight, and it's one of the biggest nights in the industry," said Decker, as she interacted with fans tailgating at the stadium. "But I love what I'm seeing here in Denver – so many stylish fans really owning their pride and rocking their NFL gear in their own way. As a Carolina Panthers fan, I'm excited to watch this game, and as a fan of fashion, I'm excited to be here with the 2016 NFL Women's Apparel Collection."

Trends in the Seats and on the Streets

According to Rhiannon Madden, VP of NFL Consumer Products, the merging of style and sport was not just coincidence last night – it's a trend. "As we look to the 2016 apparel line for women, men and juniors, we always have our eye on New York Fashion Week," she said. "We're constantly taking cues from rising fashion trends to help inform our designs and make our apparel versatile, so it can be worn beyond game day."

Below are some key observations from yesterday that will be spotted throughout the NFL Apparel Collections, which can be styled for many wearing occasions.

1. Athleisure – With outfits described as "après sport" and "sporty chic," it's clear that athleisure is becoming bigger than just a fad. From trendy jogger pants to couture sneakers, fans are seeking clothes that are appropriate for both athletic and leisurely pursuits, during game day and beyond.
2. High-and-Low Fashion – It's become universal to mix function and fashion and to find that right balance of splurging and saving. Style-setters possess the creative license to remain original and modern when mixing high and low fashion. This was a look that dominated the stadium seats last night.
3. Tone-on-tone – Creating an outfit that blends several shades of the same color has emerged as its own look. It allows the individual pieces and their design elements to stand out, not the color itself. It's a way to look understated and unique at the same time.
4. Oversized Silhouettes – Fall: the ultimate season for layering. While it keeps one warm and adaptable for a range of temperatures, layering also makes any outfit more dynamic. The key is having the right basics to place on top of one another.

To see more of Brooklyn and Steve in Denver and NYC, visit https://youtu.be/OxO09HRUdN0.

About Brooklyn Decker at the Kickoff Game

Brooklyn Decker attended the NFL season opener on Thursday, September 8, featuring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50. While Denver was the winner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, fashion took home the win at the tailgate parties in the street and the stadium seats, as Decker discovered while interacting with fans throughout the night.

About Steve Weatherford at the Opening Night of New York Fashion Week

Steve Weatherford caught up with fashion's elite on the red carpet during the opening night of NYFW, which takes place throughout NYC through September 14. As Steve spoke to some of fashion's biggest fans who will be populating the seats at all of this year's highly-anticipated shows, it was clear they are serious about representing their own unique style, even as spectators.

About the 2016 NFL Apparel Collection

The 2016 NFL Apparel Collections for Women, Men and Juniors has a wide variety of styles – from jerseys to jackets and hoodies to hats. Fans can show their team and city pride every day of the year with the 2016 NFL Women's, Men's and Juniors' Apparel collections. With expanded brands, styles and wearing occasions, all NFL Apparel Collections can be your style staple for game day and beyond. Styles are available at NFLShop.com.

Fans can use #NFLFanStyle to showcase their personal style, sharing their looks on game day and beyond.

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SOURCE NFL