Fashion Game On

Local company ups the sporting apparel game offering team gear in high style

It’s hard to dress for sporting events without sacrificing style. Running Game Clothing might just have the answer to that fashion challenge.

The Houston-based company specializes in sports apparel that’s upping the fashion game for Houston Texans, Rockets, and Astros fans.

Kicking off the 2016 football season, Running Game Clothing launched its new line of game day gear this month, available now on the company’s website. “We don’t follow fashion seasons, like fall or winter. We follow sports seasons,” company co-founder Travis Drake notes.

The new collection takes its sporting roots seriously, with tank tops and jersey shirts for both men and women, brandishing slogans including “Tailgates and Touchdowns”, “Hustle Town,” and "Is It Sunday Yet?"

Throw on a T-shirt with leggings for a tailgate outing. A fitted tee under a blazer makes for casual office attire, transitioning seamlessly from daytime to game time.

Apparel is made of a high-quality, extra soft poly/cotton blend as well as an eco-friendly semi-organic poly/cotton blend, all preshrunk and made to hold up through multiple wears and washes.

Accessories include posters and caps available in a range of colors, including red, navy, and gray, with hand-stitched embroidery and mottos from “Bulls on Parade” to “The H-Town Republic.”

Running Game Clothing counts Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown, Houston Astros right fielder George Springer and pitcher Collin McHugh, and rapper Bun B amongst its fans, as well as former Texans lineman Chris Myers, who partnered with the company in 2014 on the DQ Strong line created to help raise money for Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry in his fight against cancer.

All hailing from Houston, company founders Travis Drake, Austin Drake, Bryan Dunlap and Adam Puskorius, who is also chef and owner of Stoked Tacos & Tequila in Midtown, started Running Game Clothing in 2012. “The whole reason we got started is we got sick of going to Academy and buying a $50 Nike shirt that you don’t like but has the team logo on it,” Drake explains.

Although the entire staff pitches in, Drake, who studied graphic design at Texas State, is the creative force behind Running Game Clothing’s designs, inspired by such organizations as the NFL, MLB, and NBA. “We pull references from slogans and from what’s happening with each team. Our guys go to just about every football game and they keep their ears to the ground.”

Future plans include pieces for cooler temperatures (think hoodies and jackets) and designs for Houston Dynamo and Houston Cougars fans.

Also in the works: The company is looking to expand into the San Antonio and Dallas markets, giving Spurs and Cowboys fans something fashionable to cheer about.

Shop for items on the company’s website. Prices range from $19.99-$24.99 for apparel and $9.99-$19.99 for posters.

Chris Myers and JJ Watt wear DQ Strong shirts, created to help raise money for Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry in his fight against cancer.

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boots with a story

Houston bootmaker offers $5,000 cowboy boot and gator hunt adventure

Photo courtesy of Republic Boot Company

Houston bootmaker, Republic Boot Company, turns gator hunts into a custom pair of boots.

In Houston, where custom boots are a source of great pride and style, one local brand is taking the bespoke boot experience to a new level. Republic Boot Company, known for its elevated, hand-crafted creations, just launched a Gator Hunt Experiencewhere customers can source an alligator hide, which will be transformed into a pair of cowboy boots.

Part adventure and part traditional craftsmanship, the experience begins with a hunt in the marshlands near Anahuac, about an hour from Houston, and ends with a custom-made pair of alligator-skin cowboy boots tailored to the client's vision by a Republic Boot Company boot specialist.

"At Republic Boot Company, we pride ourselves on crafting boots that are not just footwear, but a legacy," said Chris Conrad, owner of Republic Boot Company. "This new Gator Hunt Experience takes that commitment to personalization to an unprecedented level, offering our customers a unique and memorable journey taking them from the bayou to the heart of the Bayou City."

The gator hunt is $5,000 per person and includes an 8.5-foot alligator (larger alligators incur extra costs). Individuals of all experience levels can participate, and all necessary permits and equipment are provided to ensure a safe adventure. After the hunt, the hide will be tanned during an eight-month process to ensure a one-of-a-kind pair of boots. Just in case the kicks aren't enough of a conversation starter, participants will also receive a professional mount of the alligator head.

Alligator hunting season runs from September 11 to September 30, so the boots won't be ready for the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Once they are complete, however, they will be wearable pieces of art with a memorable story behind them. Those interested in extending their only-in-Texas half-day hunt into an overnight experience can book overnight accommodations through Republic Boot Company.

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Fashion Game On

Local company ups the sporting apparel game offering team gear in high style

Chris Myers and JJ Watt wear DQ Strong shirts, created to help raise money for Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry in his fight against cancer.

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boots with a story

Houston bootmaker offers $5,000 cowboy boot and gator hunt adventure