Photo Credit: Nicolas Charest rollergirl.ca
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Fishnet stocking. Colourful striped socks. Retro legwarmers. Bizarre make-up. Stickered helmets. Mismatched shoelaces. Black chipped nails. Studded belts.
This is standard for a rollergirl.
The most fashionable sport in recent history, roller derby is an aggressive, full-contact game where skaters block, hit, and check one another while scoring on roller skates. Roller derby incorporates athleticism and eccentric fashion to create a distinctive tough girl look. Sexy? Yes. Intimidating? Very.
Having originated in the 20’s as a flat track roller skating race, roller derby evolved to include banked tracks and staged fights between the skaters. In the 70’s, however, with the re-emergence of the newly revamped sport, roller derby has become more than fake hits, staged feuds and kitsch outfits. It’s an exhilarating sport to watch, showcasing strong skating skills, strategic movements and quick paced aggressive action.
A bout is usually played in two 30-minute periods. Four blockers from each team position themselves on the track and make up the “pack” while the two opposing jammers, identifiable by the stars on their helmets, line up behind them. The whistles are blown and the jammers approach the pack and attempting to get through the blockers in order to loop the track. On their second lap, the jammers can score points every time they pass an opposing blocker. The jam (which can last up to 2 minutes) can be called off by the lead jammer (the first one who makes it through the pack without any penalties). During this time, blockers can help their jammers by giving them whips or pushes, or making space, usually by blocking or hitting members of the opposing team. The jam is fast paced, and often players hit the floor hard, flying out of bounds, adding to the chaos and thrilling spectacle of roller derby.
Roller derby is as hard-hitting as hockey and football, and like those sports, each team usually has a theme or colour scheme which they use to play up in their style, but the similarity ends there. The Chicks Ahoy from Toronto’s Roller Derby League dress in sailor styled outfits that emphasize their rugged pirate tough-girl persona. Whereas the Faster Pussycats from Vancouver’s Terminal City Rollergirls league have a purple, silver and black colour scheme which showcases claw marks, and other kitty cat symbols. Although rollerderby strives on players’ individual styles – the idea of a uniformed team plays an important roll in their psychological presence on the track. Seeing a uniformed team is much more intimidating and has a greater effect on game play. It also it allows for fans to be able to easily differentiate between teams playing.
Although uniforms are necessary in roller derby, many players add personal flair by sporting accessories. These accessories can accentuate team colours or the players own own persona. Simultaneously these accessories can be useful in game play and strategy.
Photo Credit: Nicolas Charest rollergirl.ca
Knee or thigh-high socks are worn not just for style, but also for protection. Since players often get knocked off their feet (or in this case, skates), socks protect against road rash adding some additional padding. Furthermore, they also allow for rollergirls to keep their knee pads cleaner by absorbing sweat, which prolongs their life expectancy. Tight leggings, as opposed to baggier pants allow for less wind resistance which ultimately increases the players’ speed. Needless to say, fishnets are always a crowd favourite.
Belts, which are worn by most blockers, are used as a tool by the jammer to allow for whipping, which propels them forward to gain speed. Belts are usually worn snug around players’ hips, which is the centre of gravity for most girls, allowing the accessory to be used without knocking players over in game play. Obviously this accessory is not only stylish, but incredibly useful strategically.
Along with clothing, makeup is a huge derby necessity. Some rollergirls get dolled up before a game, while others draw team related objects such as stars and thunderbolts on their face to showcase team pride. Many times makeup is used as a way of making players seem scarier or tougher to intimidate the other team during game play. In a way, makeup is used as war paint, which can psychologically be used to intimidate the other team. It empowers players to express their individuality while still creating a team identity. This allows for rollergirls to express their alter ego and play up the individual that they are.
In roller derby, individuality is as imperative as a unified team look.
Roller derby is about the madness, the chaos, the aggressive. Skirts can get flipped up, and undies exposed. What other sport has jersey numbers that make no sense? Sissy Straightedge’s number is a square; Just sKate’s, a swoosh? Nowhere else is fashion as important as the sport itself. Alternative fashion makes for tough chicks and an entertaining game.
Nice!
Next time you need pics though, give me a shout