I've Been in an NFL Family for 27 Years—Here's How to Dress for Game Day

Woman wearing game-day outfit ideas.
(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Before I get started on my personal set of rules for game-day outfits, please keep one thing in mind: Wear whatever you want. Attending a football game can often mean standing outside for hours in inclement weather, tailgating at the break of dawn, and sitting on uncomfortable benches. If activewear styled with a jersey makes your day easy, go for it. However, there's something about the spirit of game day that makes me want to get all dressed up.

I'm usually seeing a lot of family members and friends and attending a celebratory dinner or pregame brunch. When I was young and still living at home with my parents, I was coming off a week of school uniforms and responsibilities. Game day was always my opportunity to hang out with friends and get creative with what I wore. Over time, my affinity for game-day style grew, and I began to step it up. Especially since I now attend maybe four games per season, the outfits I wear hold a lot of weight.

Woman wearing a football stadium outfit idea.

(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend a game that my father was scouting at. I made myself busy by mingling with politicians and notable alums, which made me feel like I had a peek into what the elite were wearing to the football game. I found that they followed my go-to outfit formula for a big game.

My game-day outfit formula:

Woman wearing a football stadium outfit idea.

(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

I spent many years hoping to buy the latest jersey, but with jerseys going for $150+ these days and my love for fashion, I tend to avoid any team logos. Following in the footsteps of major designers who are currently still pushing the logo-free agenda, I find it more alluring for a clothing item to leave room for the imagination when it comes to where it's from and what team you're supporting. I lean into the color palette of the team's logo and build my shopping choices around that. I'm currently rooting for the Washington Commanders, so when I see a burgundy or yellowish-tan clothing item, I'll often pick it up and save it for game day. This is the way most women who are insiders in the football world dress, and I love how chic it makes going to a football game. Give this advice a try.

Let's shop out more outfit ideas:

Woman wearing crop top and cargo pants.

(Image credit: @anaasaber)

Style Tip: Wear a pair of comfortable nylon joggers with a crop top for an undoubtedly comfortable ensemble.

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Woman crossing the street in a jersey.

(Image credit: @shhtephs)

Style Tip: Feel like showing your team spirit? Any vintage sports attire in your team's colors is a chic take on game-day style.

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Woman wearing a striped t-shirt and skinny jeans.

(Image credit: @itsmekellieb)

Style Tip: You'll never go wrong with stripes and denim for game day.

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Woman wearing a sequined black outfit to a football game.

(Image credit: @carodaur)

Style Tip: Turn a night game into a party with a unique matching set or jumpsuit like this one—you can go straight from the game to the afters.

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Woman wearing a white turtleneck, a tan vest, jeans, and tan sneakers.

(Image credit: @claire_most)

Style Tip: For that in-between weather when it's too hot to wear a jacket but too cold to go without, style a puffer vest with a turtleneck.

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Woman wearing an oversize gray sweater with straight-leg jeans and boots.

(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Style Tip: You can also wear an oversize sweater with straight-leg jeans. To give it an added touch of cool, style your look with a pair of lug-sole boots.

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Woman wearing a bright orange dress and turquoise heeled mules.

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Style Tip: People always tell me they think that certain teams' colors are hard to make chic, but even orange and teal can make a fashion statement.

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Woman wearing a red sweater with a pink satin skirt.

(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Style Tip: If you want to make a statement, choose a sweater in your team's color and add a contrasting skirt.

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Woman wearing a white shirt and white jeans to a tennis match.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Style Tip: When you don't know what to wear, you can never go wrong with a button-down shirt and white jeans.

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Associate Editor

Sierra Mayhew was always destined to work in fashion, but she didn't know it at first. Growing up with no choice but to wear a rotation of school uniforms and activewear, her love for fashion really blossomed when she moved away for college and was able to finally define her very own personal style. Shortly thereafter, she interned at Elle magazine and instantly knew that editorial was for her. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she worked for ShopBazaar, contributing regularly to Bazaar.com, and finally made her way to Who What Wear, where she is an associate editor. When she’s not working, you can catch her always trying to catch a flight, trying the latest fitness craze in New York City, or exploring luxury vintage boutiques.