What You Should and Should Not Wear to Every Major Sporting Event
If you ask the internet what to wear to a sports event, the answers you'll receive aren't very Who What Wear. They'll tell you to be comfortable and advise you of the bag policies at your respective arena—two things that are important—but most explainers on this topic fail to provide the sort of information that people like us—people who care about sports and fashion—really care about. Succinctly put, we want to look chic when we're cheering on our favorite teams or athletes, whether that means donning a sleek, all-white ensemble to a tennis match in Paris or a tiny Hanes tank top with a Knicks hat for a playoff game at Madison Square Garden. In our sports world, what we wear matters, and when we're seeking assistance picking out our outfits, we need the answers to provide more than just the bag allowances at the Monaco Grand Prix.
That's where I come in. I've been to 10 Grand Prix (with all varieties of tickets, from general admission to paddock passes), four WNBA games (in the last month), soccer matches in various countries, and the U.S. Open the past three years. I've also attended tennis matches at Roland Garros and baseball games at both Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium. I've nearly had bags turned away by security, and I've wrapped my feet in more Band-Aids than you can imagine after a long day of walking around miles-long Formula One tracks in vintage heels. To put it another way, I know a thing or two about what you should and shouldn't wear to every major sporting event. And below, I'm sharing all my knowledge, broken down by sport. My suggestion? Bookmark this page. You'll want to come back and reference it next time you score tickets to a Fever game or a pass for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Trust me, every base is thoroughly covered.
The Basics
Yes, I can tell you specifically how to approach dressing for a baseball game versus an F1 race, but no matter where you're going, there are certain basics involved with outfits for sporting events. For starters, if the match or game you're attending is outside, be sure to check the weather. Know where your seats are and if there will be shade. If not, SPF is an essential companion, as are sunglasses and a hat (preferably a cool, vintage version for your favorite team). Rain's on the forecast? Swap out your suede sneakers for Wellies and tie a waterproof topper around your waist. After all, the plastic ponchos you can buy at arenas are overpriced and are guaranteed to ruin the outfit you so meticulously put together. For inside games, just know that the AC will be blasting, so pack light layers, even if it's summer. Bag allowances are minimal at almost every sporting event. Though, they do change depending on the location. Check before you leave the house and save yourself a lot of stress. In my experience, all you really need is your phone, wallet, keys, and maybe a lip-liner-and-gloss pairing, and if you need a touch more space, invest in a chic clear bag. Yes, they do exist, and I have just the one for you to buy.
Sporting-Event Essentials for Fashion People
New Era
UCONN Huskies Hat
CELINE
Triomphe 54mm Sunglasses
Hunter
Original Short Rain Boot
Beauty of Joseon
Day Dew SPF 50
Miu Miu
Technical Fabric Jacket
What to Wear to a Basketball Game
Basketball games are one of my personal-favorite sporting events to dress for because of the vast amount of outfit inspiration at our fingertips. On any given night during the NBA season, you'll be able to spot Chloë Sevigny, Emily Ratajkowski, Anne Hathaway, or Kylie Jenner courtside at a Knicks or Lakers game, and they're always in a 'fit. In the W, not only can you take cues from players in the tunnel, but courtside, you'll find season ticket holders (or guests of them), ranging from stylists like Gabriella Karefa-Johnson to designers like Daniella Kallmeyer. Every game is an opportunity to show off a good ensemble, which makes dressing for them one of the best parts of attending.
There are a few things to know about basketball game outfits. First, if you're courtside, never wear a miniskirt or short shorts. You're pretty much guaranteed to end up on the broadcast, probably when you least expect it, and it's just too risky. The same goes for high-up seats. You'll be traversing steep stairs and scooting past seated attendees, so stick with trousers, jeans, or longer skirts or dresses. For a chic but sporty outfit, I like to tuck a shrunken jersey into a pair of vintage Levi's with kitten-heel sandals that were wear-tested ahead of game day. (Trust me, don't ruin the day by wearing new shoes.) For a less-obvious combination, ditch the jersey and add an accessory, sweater, or jacket that fits the team's color scheme.
Now to the most important part: your bag. Though you might want to show off your best designer bag à la the players in the tunnel, don't. Keep your work totes and shoulder bags at home and pack lightly. At Barclays Center, home of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets, your bag has to be 10" x 6" x 2" or smaller. Crypto.com Arena, where the Los Angeles Lakers play, only allows small clutches and wallets that measure 5" x 9" x 1" or smaller. Most venues don't have lockers either, and you will be denied entry if your bag doesn't comply.
Shop
New Era
New York Knicks Hat
Frankie Collective
Vintage Lakers Jersey
Proenza Schouler
Tee 60mm Sandals
What to Wear to a Formula One Race
The Formula One paddock has become a glorified runway in recent years, led, of course, by seven-time World Champion and 2025 Met Gala co-chair Lewis Hamilton, as well as WAGs (wives and girlfriends), content creators, and celebrity guests of teams like Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. I've personally spotted vintage Miu Miu, JW Anderson's iconic pigeon bag, and Chanel's viral cruise 2023 Monaco Grand Prix micro-tee at races, as well as Saint Laurent's leopard-print Le 5 à 7 shoulder bag and Ferrari's car-shaped minaudière. Of course, not everyone can dress for a race in clothes snatched straight off the runway, nor would they want to. The paddock is manicured and air-conditioned, whereas attendees with grandstand or GA tickets will be out in the elements, where walkways can be made of grass, gravel, or, in the case of the British Grand Prix, mud, and the trip from your entrance and exit to your designated viewpoint can be miles long.
