MANILA, Philippines ? No one would mistake Sharon Yu, a former De La Salle University courtside reporter, for a basketball fanatic. But apparently, Yu, who caught the attention of UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) viewers with her bubbly and occasionally frantic reporting, takes basketball seriously?in style.

Yu, who started the online store Jersey Dress with college friend Pat Giron, produces sports-theme dresses specifically for fashion-conscious college students.

Basketball jerseys are in no danger of running out; school stores are stocked with the jerseys of the most popular players.

However, as very few self-respecting fashionistas would be caught dead in ghetto-looking, loose basketball jerseys, the popularity of Jersey Dress shot up among online communities.

?It was nearing UAAP Season 71,? Yu says. ?Since Pat does jerseys, I mentioned I wanted to have a DLSU basketball jersey dress designed for myself, like the ones used in NBA.?

Yu wore her dress on TV to report. ?Well, it was pretty convenient for us to promote the Jersey Dress when I was a UAAP courtside reporter,? she says.

?In fact, I wore it during the UAAP Cheerdance Competition and the DLSU Pep Rally.?

After the TV exposure, girls started asking where they could get similar clothes, and Jersey Dress caught on?and students didn?t have to limit wearing them to UAAP games.

?It?s very wearable, but it will really turn heads if you suit it up since it?s unique.

I prefer matching it with shorts underneath and wedge shoes, but I also see girls wearing it with leggings, denim, flats, or sneakers.?

She adds: ?If you finish it with a casual bag, then it tones down the whole look. It will seem like you stole your boyfriend?s clothes, in a chic way! Plus, we wouldn?t want to be stuck in the seasonal UAAP/NCAA hype.

After all, school spirit is year long; so this year, we?ll continue releasing new dress designs?still sporty, but stylish.?

We ask Yu, if Jersey Dress sales are an indication of school spirit, which design sells the most?
Yu smiles and says, chagrined: ?It?s ironic for me to say this, but Ateneo Jersey Dresses sell the most.?

Email the author at biancaconsunji@yahoo.com