The WNBA Ditches Its 'Man Threads'

Pro women's basketball has come to its fashion senses.

After years of wearing attire that was essentially the same as the men's, the WNBA, in collaboration with Adidas and some of the league's players, has created sleeker, more stylish uniforms for the upcoming season.

The new unis feature a Y-shaped neckline and a smaller, female-specific shoulder, a racer back design that's like a sports bra and a longer torso so the players can tuck in their jerseys for the first time in league history.

The uniforms, which players started wearing during the preseason last week, also are made of something called ClimaLite, an Adidas creation that the company claims can help regulate body temperature.

While those changes are somewhat subtle, the side panels of the new jerseys are a little more eye-catching, filled with tribal patterns and "superhero" patterns like lightning bolts. The panels are based on the teams' logos; the Chicago Sky's uniforms feature an abstract design based on the city's skyline, the Los Angeles Sparks have a spark pattern and the Sacramento Monarchs feature the "S" and "M" in a swirling pattern.

The changing of threads came after Adidas reached an 11-year agreement with the NBA in April. The world's second-largest sports apparel company started supplying NBA uniforms this year and made it's imprint on the WNBA with the help of the league's players, using stars Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, Ruth Riley and Becky Hammon as design consultants.

The result is more functional - and, well, feminine.

"These uniforms are a fusion of fashion and performance," said WNBA president Donna Orender. "Players will be able to perform at their best and feel good inside and out."