From dog jerseys to condoms

World Cup fans are expressing their love of the game in wild ways, wearing patriotic nail polish, dressing up dogs with jerseys and showing their passion under the sheets with Brazil-inspired condoms. The usual football frenzy fashion is on full display in the South American host country’s streets and stadiums, from the inevitable replica team jerseys to colourful wigs and flag-themed face paint. But pet owners, fashionistas and love-struck fans have found their own ways to wear their team colours, with Brazil football kits for dogs, designer clothes for women and caipirinha-flavoured (Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail, made with sugar cane hard liquor and lime) condoms for couples. In the sprawling business hub of Sao Paulo, World Cup souvenirs - from the most tasteless to the trendiest - can be found anywhere, from upper-class neighbourhoods to bustling street markets. In one well-to-do district, the MVet pet store sells a yellow, round doggie poop bag dispenser with a football printed in the middle. But the hottest-selling item is the US$14 (N$150) yellow dog shirt with the number 10 printed on the back, just like Brazil’s star forward Neymar. Eighty have sold so far. “It’s cold here now and he looks cute, and we’re in the middle of the Cup,” said Regina Saccarelli, a 34-year-old architect who bought the outfit for her Maltese. Around the corner, women get discounts to paint their nails in the colours of their favourite team, with Brazil’s yellow, green and blue the most popular. “In addition to dressing up for the games, we always want to have our nails done,” said Marina Jorkevics, the 28-year-old marketing director of the Nailsxpress salon. “This is another reason to have them done and it looks nice.” Nothing is tasteless Local fashion designers have joined the party, making blouses, purses and dresses for women who want to show team spirit without having to wear a football jersey. “Anything goes at the World Cup. If it’s to celebrate, cheer, it’s worth investing in fun objects,” Paula Acioli, a fashion consultant and professor at Getulio Vargas Foundation University, told AFP. “Nothing is tasteless.” Italian, Dutch and Russian tourists have forked over between $26 and $35 for green and yellow sleeveless shirts with leopard and zebra prints at Mamy de Silveira’s Essere Fashion store. “There’s a lot of patriotism in Brazil despite the protests and strikes,” said Silveira, referring to a wave of demonstrations against the costs of hosting the World Cup. “People like to cheer for Brazil by wearing things that stand out.” Love of country has even made it into the bedroom. Since February, DKT International, a US-based non-profit that promotes family planning and HIV prevention, has sold 2.1 million condoms flavoured like caipirinha, Brazil’s famous cocktail. Sold under the Prudence brand, the condom is yellow with a green tip. The first 850 000 were supposed to last three months but sold out in 15 days. “I think there must be foreigners who will take it home as an inexpensive souvenir,” said Daniel Marun, DKT’s Brazil director. The most tasteless and cheapest World Cup souvenirs can be found in Sao Paulo’s busy March 25 Street, where outdoor market stall owners sell harlequin hats, mohawk wigs and ear-piercing vuvuzelas.