cute football game outfit
Shop the Look: Cowboys & Tequila White Mesh Trucker Hat

Football games are a classic fall tradition, and they’re also an opportunity to show your style. No, really! Game day wear is casual, cute, and comfortable. You want to have an outfit that lets you jump up and cheer when your team scores a touchdown, and you want to be comfy during the sometimes unpredictable weather. Wearing team colors is a given–but what form should those colors take? What should you wear to a football game?

red cardigan sweater
Shop the Look: Marylu Bright Red Cable Knit Cardigan Sweater Top

If you ask everyone’s current favorite football girlfriend, a team jersey with your favorite player’s name on it is a great idea. But if you aren’t ride-or-die for a team, or you don’t have a QB of your own that you want to support, there are lots of other great football game outfit ideas that will take you from the tailgate to the post-game party.

Stadium Tips

college football game outfit
Shop the Look: Incredibly Cozy Navy Ruffled Collared Pullover Sweater

If you’re seeing a local game, you probably don’t have to think about logistics too much–but for games in big stadiums, like NFL games or even big college games, there are a couple of things you should know when you’re putting together football game outfits.

red and white football outfit
Shop the Look: Averley White Eyelet Embroidered Shortalls, Lautaro Rust Ribbed Strapless Crop Top

First, wear supportive shoes. Even though you’ll be seated for the game, there’s usually some walking involved–you have to get to the stadium and you have to find your seats, and you’ll be on your feet at several points throughout the game when your team scores. So, skip the high heels and go for something a little more casual!

striped polo shirt
Shop the Look: Astute Cutie White Striped Collared Cropped Polo Top

Second, many stadiums only allow clear bags these days, so pockets–especially ones that button–can be a great alternative to tracking down a stadium bag. Check your stadium’s rules ahead of time to find out if you can bring a bag or not.

green and blue cardigan
Shop the Look: Cherished Crush Green and Blue Checkered Eyelash Knit Cardigan 

Third, stadium temperatures can change drastically, especially once the sun goes down. Sometimes you’ll be figuring out what to wear to a hot football game during the day and then figuring out how to stay warm after halftime. It’s always a good idea to include an extra layer in your game day outfits. Or you can just get a team blanket or scarf in the stadium: It will be more expensive, but it’s a great souvenir and a way to support your team.

red ringer tee
Shop the Look: Sakha Adrenaline Red Graphic Tee

Whether you’re there to cheer on your team or just to hang out at the tailgate, here are some easy football game outfits that will look great on game day!

Plaid Dresses

football game outfit ideas
Shop the Look: Autumn Approach Brown Plaid Sleeveless Button-Up Mini Dress, Sweetest Memory Black Plaid Lace-Up Mini Dress With Pockets, Pick Of The Patch Green Plaid Tie-Front Mini Dress

Plaid dresses are old-school cool, and have a fun vintage vibe that’s perfect for a fall football game. For extra team spirit, pick a plaid that’s got your team’s colors in it. Plaid dresses demand attention, so keep your footwear simple- a pair of white sneakers looks great with any color of plaid. Booties also look super cute with these dresses! A mini hem is the perfect thing to wear to a hot football game, and on a chilly day, monochrome tights in white, black, or a color that goes with the plaid will keep your legs warm without clashing.

Denim Dresses

denim dresses
Shop the Look: Perfectly Edgy Dark Wash Denim Collared Button-Front Mini Dress, Trending Moment Medium Wash Zip-Front Denim Mini Dress, Trendy Approach Medium Wash Button-Front Long Sleeve Denim Dress

Love the look of jeans but want something a little flirtier? Denim dresses are the perfect solution for your football game outfit needs! These casual dresses are loaded with everyone’s favorite feature: plenty of pockets to keep your phone, wallet, and other essentials directly on your person with no need for a purse.  If you’re worried about the weather, a sleeveless denim dress looks adorable under your favorite shacket, and leggings can keep your legs toasty at a night game.

Sweater Dresses

sweater dresses
Shop the Look: Stellar Cutie Ivory and Red Striped Collared Sweater Mini Dress, Bold Comfort Ivory and Red Color Block Cable Sweater Mini Dress, Inviting Poise Green and White Cable Knit Sweater Mini Dress

Fall nights can get chilly, so a cozy sweater dress is perfect for an evening game! For a little extra structure, you can style these dresses with a cute, wide belt with an oversized buckle. Sweater dresses look great with boots– both tall boots and booties will add to the cozy Americana vibe that’s the backbone of this adorable football game outfit idea.

Cropped Sweaters

cropped sweaters and mini skirts
Shop the Look: Posh Comfort Ivory and Green Collared Pullover Sweater, Adorable Theme Red Ribbed Knit Cropped Cardigan Sweater Top, Timeless Energy Cream Striped Collared Pullover Sweater

Fuzzy sweaters are another classic vintage cheer look, and even today they provide lots of pep for your game day. Cropped sweaters provide the warmth of a sweater with the comfort and trendy look of a crop top. Jeans are a natural pairing choice and are perfectly appropriate for the bleachers or stadium seats, and you can either coordinate your footwear with your sweater’s colors (if you’re going for the team spirit look) or opt for your favorite sneakers.

Fall Layers

game day outfits
Shop the Look: Cloud Nine Cutie Beige Cropped Corduroy Puffer Jacket, 90s Denim Shearling Medium Wash Trucker Jacket, Cloud Nine Cutie Brown Houndstooth Cropped Puffer Vest

Football season starts in September and goes until mid-February, when the Super Bowl is scheduled. This means that the weather can vary from sunny, summery weather to blizzards. And the game does not stop when the snow starts! This means that layering up can be essential for your enjoyment. Bombers, jeans, and other light jackets are popular options for game day wear, and you can’t go wrong with a cozy vest!

Statement Pants

statement pants
Shop the Look: Adorably Classic Rust and Beige Gingham High-Rise Pants, Sporty Sweetie Red Nylon Drawstring Wide-Leg Athletic Pants, Sophisticated Step Emerald Satin Wide-Leg High-Rise Pants 

Plenty of football game outfit ideas involve jeans and skirts, but you have lots of different bottom options! I love a pair of statement pants for a football game. Pick some comfy pants in your team’s colors and pair them with a simple top, like a t-shirt or sweater. Throw on a coordinating jacket and you’ve got a great look for the whole game!

Sporty Sets

two piece sets
Shop the Look: Delightful Duo Olive Ribbed Hooded Two-Piece Sweater Mini Dress, Sweet Score Navy Blue Ruffled Drawstring High-Rise Mini Skirt, Only Tonight Red Two-Piece Wide-Leg Jumpsuit 

Two-piece sets are so easy to style. There’s no worrying about matching; you just throw on the set and some comfy shoes and head out the door! And a sporty set with athletic inspiration is the perfect answer to what to wear to a football game–the classic colors and active feel are perfect for the tailgate party and the stadium.

What are you wearing for game day? Show us on Instagram and Tiktok @lulus, and shop our Game Day picks for more outfit inspiration!

This blog was originally published in October 2023.