What fun would Cup Match be if you couldn’t wear a T-shirt, wave a flag or rock a swanky hat in your favourite team’s colours?

Probably not much, we say.

This year more than ever it seems businesses are offering up creative holiday goods to get people into the Cup Match spirit.

The Royal Gazette’s Lifestyle section decided to share a handful of our favourite items - we hope they will keep you looking cool, no matter how hot and balmy the temperature gets.

Jewellery designer Alexandra Outerbridge is making a name for herself with her line of Cup Match memorabilia. Last year she created snapback custom baseball hats for the holiday — and sold out within just 48 hours.

“This year I figured why not try to make shirts and get a feel for how these move and maybe do something bigger come next year,” she said.

“It was such a fun thing to get together and do something festive. It’s an article of clothing which is traditional, but with a twist and just the reaction has been amazing.”

She said almost half of her goods sold out in just two days — in part due to social media.

Ms Outerbridge admitted it has been a lot of fun seeing how much people love to represent their favourite cricket team.

“Seeing that we are just rolling off the World Cup, everyone is still in a team spirit and looking for fun,” she explained. “Now we are rolling right into cricket, which is our competitive sporting environment, and it seems everyone is trying to represent a team.”

The T-shirts and tank tops come in a host of colours and sell for $30. For more information or to order your own, e-mail info@outerbridgejewelry.com.

Graphic designer Cushi Ming also created a line of Cup Match T-shirts.

“Years ago I used to see Cup Match T-shirts in the gas stations and I thought I could do so much better than that,” he said.

“I really like Cup Match and have a passion for it. I am also a promoter and have been doing Cup Match parties for the last few years, so I took that thought which flashed in my mind as a young kid, and my knowledge as a graphic designer to make my own line of Cup Match T-shirts.”

He went for a really classic design, but considers it more “prestigious” than the one he did last year. The plan is to add a different design to his collection every year. More than anything he hopes his creations will do the Island and Cup Match holiday proud.

He said he has enjoyed seeing the friendly rivalry between Somerset and St George’s supporters.

People will sometimes tease someone if they are seen in their street wearing the wrong colours, he said.

“That’s the spirit behind Cup Match and what makes it so much fun and enjoyable for Bermudians,” he added.

Mr Ming will sell his shirts in the Upper Level of Washington Mall, near International Sports Shop. They cost $30 for one or $50 for two, and come in size small to 3XL.

Rebecca Hanson’s TABS Bermuda Shorts have a strong following.

And now that the shorts are offered in Cup Match-inspired colours — red, navy and light blue — they have been flying off the shelves.

Ms Hanson said: “Every colour of TABS is inspired by something you will find on the Island, from the blue of Paradise Lakes, to the red of the Red Bird to the deep navy blue of North Rock.”

The cricket match is one of her favourite parts of the holiday, she said.

“I think it inspires so much friendly competition because it connects us to the community and fosters a sense of belonging,” she said. “Everyone meets on the same level, the same field (literally).

“But to be honest though it’s not that much of a competition because St George’s is going to win this year!”

TABS are available online at www.authenticshorts.bm. Select colours are also available at AS Cooper Man (29 Front Street) and their store in the Fairmont Southampton.

They cost $98 and are made from 100 percent cotton and pre-washed for a soft, comfortable finish.

Okay, so you might not want to wear this next item to the cricket game or family gathering, but if you’re planning to stay indoors to avoid the summer heat then a pair of Cup Match slippers might be the perfect ticket.

Dawn Zuill, the owner of Daisy & Mac, wanted to show off her team spirit by making leather slippers to show her “unwavering support” for St George’s.

She did so “with a view to ensuring that our St George’s babies got an early start showing their team spirit”, she explained.

But in the interest of being fair she decided to have the same done up for Somerset fans as well.

“These are stylish, organic slippers that are also good for a baby’s young feet,” she said.

The slippers are available for infants from 0-24 months ($50), and in children’s sizes 2-10 ($55). They’re also available for adults in sizes 3-12, for $80.

Daisy and Mac is also currently having a holiday promotion, so you can get the shoes for 50 percent off.

If you’re looking for a Cup Match hand towel to keep you sweat-free while you are watching the cricket game or to wave while you’re getting down at a soca fete, then International Sports Shop has just what you need.

Store supervisor, Tina Brangman, said their holiday-themed gear has been selling incredibly well.

They’ve sold out of mini cricket bats in store, but towels and shirts are still available and are made on the spot so people can choose their own colours and designs. Some people have even chosen to personalise them with their names, Ms Brangman said.

“We decided to sell them because it’s that time of year and people want that,” she said. “I get a lot of calls from people asking ‘Do you have this or that?’

“The towels are great for when you are at Cup Match because it can get hot and sweaty, and it gets sticky as well. I’ve heard of some people sticking the towel into the deep freeze and then in the morning they take it out and put it around their neck to keep them nice and cool.”

The towels are $12, while T-shirts are $15 for children and $20 for adults.

Sail On has a whole range of goods in honour of the Cup Match holiday — from shirts and bandannas, to flip flops and dresses.

Our favourite items were the team-inspired hats in blue and red and cute wooden signs.

Jill O’Connor, a sales associate, said they have been offering such festive items for years and even design their own T-shirts.

“We do it for Newport Bermuda and whatever else is coming up,” she said.

“We just got some of these things in this year and they are starting to really take off. We are usually very lucky to sell out.”

She said people like to get into the Cup Match spirit and represent their favourite team. “It’s probably one of the most fun times of the year and I think Bermudians really come together and have a great time. And we get into the spirit in here too.”

The hats are $21.95, while the signs are available for $10.95.

Arguably one of the most flashy ways to represent your cricket team is to get a pair of St George’s or Somerset shades. If you’re looking for such a find, Mystiques, located in the Walker Arcade has it.

Owner Mstira Weeks said they wanted to offer something that people don’t normally see at Cup Match.

She said: “I have seen sunglasses with the teams on the arms, so I thought I would do something creative and get the Somerset or St George’s logo on the lenses instead.”

The items have sold well so far, but she expects for business to pick up this week as last-minute buyers get ready for the holiday.

She said Cup Match is such a special holiday for residents, who love a little friendly competition.

“It’s just for fun,” she said. “Some people have been born in one of those parishes and been in that part of the Island from birth, while others just support wherever their family or parents come from. Even though people have their teams, the holiday still brings everyone together.”

Ms Weeks’ store also offers Cup Match Samsung and iPhone cases for $20 and up. She also sells iPad and mini iPad covers for the different teams, which sell for $48 and $42 respectively. The shades cost $16.