What to Wear to Watch a Soccer Game

For some people, deciding what to wear to a soccer game can be just as important as attending the game itself. Failure to blend in can make one feel out of place and can harm your soccer experience. I’ve written this post as a guideline for anyone wondering exactly how to plan their outfit to watch a soccer game.

The best outfit to wear to watch a soccer game includes are clothes that match the colors of the team you will be supporting. For example, if you plan to attend a home game and your team’s home jersey is blue and white, then clothing of a similar color scheme is the best option.

Following this rule should ensure that you don’t look out of place as a spectator. But there are several other factors that fans will want to take into account when attending a game. Factors such as whether your team is playing at home or away or what the expected weather conditions will be can all affect your choice of clothing.

So let me talk you through the different options now.

A General Guide To Soccer Clothing

A helpful way to decide what to wear to watch a soccer game is simply by asking yourself: “What colors will my team be wearing on the day and what clothes can I wear to match those colors?”

Most soccer fans will opt to wear colors that match their team’s uniform when watching a soccer game, whether home or away. Some fans may even choose to wear the same professional uniform as the team’s players if they attend a professional game.

Find out why soccer players wear numbers on their backs in my article – Soccer Jersey Numbers: What do they mean?

While this can work, it may not always be the best choice. But more on that later.

Understanding the color scheme rule is key to having a good experience. The last thing you want to do is wear contrasting colors or, worse yet, colors that match the jersey of the opposing side! This might make you stick out, confuse fellow fans and just make for a very unpleasant trip overall.

This rule applies to both males and females equally. But sometimes, women more than men may want to opt for a style that shows support for their chosen team while not sacrificing looking good at the same time.

But bear in mind that dressing up too much can make you stand out when lining up alongside other fans. Keeping it casual but classy is the way to go.

Consider wearing clothing made from quality materials that are comfortable and fit your style. A scarf with colors matching the team you support (or even your teams’ official scarf if you can get hold of one) can be a great addition to the rest of your outfit.  

Here’s one more thing you should consider about your choice of shoes you wear to watch a soccer game.

Please don’t wear footwear that is difficult to walk in (like high heels). At a big soccer game, you will most likely be climbing into the stands, and at a youth soccer game, you may be standing on the grass by the side of the playing field. Either way, you will benefit from practical footwear.

Watching a soccer game is the place for casual and comfortable footwear.

For both males and females, accessories can help add a more sophisticated feel to a casual style. Watches, earrings, and even sports bands are just some of the things you can add to your outfit to personalize your look amongst a sea of similarly colored fans.

Is It A Good Idea To Wear My Teams Uniform To A Game?

You may find yourself tempted to wear your team’s uniform on the day. After all, what better way to show support for your team than to wear the exact same clothes that the players wear. But doing so can actually cause you to be judged by some people and even stared at when in the stands. 

Rightly or wrongly, fans who turn up in a complete soccer uniform often look out of place, and most people will think you have gone too far.

If you want to wear part of your team’s uniform (and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that), then I would suggest only wearing the jersey combined with a jacket and jeans. 

A popular option amongst many soccer fans is to simply wear their team’s scarf to the game and to plan the rest of their attire around matching colors. 

Find out more about soccer player’s uniforms in my article – Why do Soccer Players Wear Long Socks?

Wear Something Different to a Home Than an Away Game

Away games are one scenario where you may want to reconsider the matching colors rule. And I would recommend you carefully consider wearing your team’s colors if safety is a concern. 

Most soccer fans tend to be respectful. But there can sometimes be an uncomfortable feeling when walking into away territory wearing clothing that can quickly identify you as an ‘enemy’. 

This is only really matters at a big, important game that has a lot riding on it—games such as a playoff or tournament final.

Emotions can run high after a game, especially for the losing side. And if the opposition team’s fans are known to be more outspoken, then there is always the possibility for unnecessary confrontations.

If you’re wearing colors that match your team, consider mixing in an unremarkable upper layer, like a jacket that you can easily button up to cover your inner layer for when you arrive and leave the game.

Again, the team scarf can be the perfect article of clothing for anyone who cares about looking authentic and wants to be inconspicuous when it matters. 

You can show full support for your team when in position inside the stadium or at the side of the field surrounded by like-minded fans. But you can also remove the scarf and store it inside a bag or handbag on the way home if you’re worried about encountering opposition fans (especially on public transport).

What About Clothing For Colder Weather?

One of the biggest mistakes inexperienced soccer fans tend to make on their first few times of watching a soccer game is assuming that cold protection isn’t needed. Especially if the game is in a stadium, it can feel like you will be watching the game indoors.

But anyone that has been to a breezy stadium knows just how cold it can get. Temperatures will shift wildly as the game is in progress, and rain is always a possibility.

Good preparation is key to ensuring your day doesn’t get ruined by unexpected changes in the weather. This is as true for a large professional game as it is for your local high school soccer game.

Layers of clothes are the best thing to wear when watching a soccer game in cold weather. Building up an outfit made up of several layers of clothing allows you to adapt to weather conditions as they rise and fall. 

The most important part about keeping warm at a soccer game (and in general) is layering up.

A warm base layer and a waterproof outer layer is the most common combination for soccer fans expecting to support their team under cold weather.

One pairing you might want to try is a thermal base layer, supported by a simple t-shirt and a waterproof jacket to round off the outer layer.

Amazon has multiple options for thermal layers that are great for wearing while watching soccer. You can find them here.

Try not to wear cotton on the inside when it’s cold. Cotton traps any sweat you produce when it gets warmer, will soak into the clothing, and make you feel uncomfortable.

You may want to consider carrying a personal umbrella around with you at all times because the weather forecast can (and will) get things wrong now and then. A compact, windproof umbrella doesn’t take up that much space and can fit snugly in most bags or handbags.

The Takeaway

Soccer games are a social affair. And like most social affairs, there’s always an appropriate dress code you have to adhere to if you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.

When attending soccer games, the basic rule is always to consider the colors that your team will be wearing on the day and plan your outfits appropriately. You may also wish to opt for a more modest, discreet look if attending an away match.

The team’s official scarf is usually the go-to choice of clothing for both casual dressers and aspiring fashionistas alike because of its flexibility. It’s useful regardless of whether the game is home or away, is suitable for both genders, and even has the additional benefit of protecting against the cold.

If you ever find yourself in doubt about what to wear, make the scarf a part of the outfit, and you’ll likely never go wrong.

For more useful soccer information, check out one of my related articles:

• What you can (and can’t) wear for soccer
• Why soccer goalies wear different colors
• How long is a soccer field?
• How to wear soccer shin guards