Dealing with the Rain as a Sports Fan

I'm heading out the door soon to watch a college football game.  It is raining like cats and dogs and the venue is an outdoor stadium. Something about football in the elements makes the game all the more epic.  This can add to the excitement of being a fan, but it can make for a pretty miserable prospect for being a fan.

Quick Tip: The most important thing about watching a sporting event in the rain is that everyone in your party has a positive attitude about it.  

If the sporting event you are going to may or may not get cancelled by the rain, make sure to have an alternative event planned.  If you going with your family, take them out to lunch or dinner in the town or city that you travelled to instead.  This will brighten the mood.  In the case of my girlfriend, Well Dressed Sports Gal likes going to sporting events when the weather is nice, but her fandom doesn't extend to rain, sleet or snow. Fair enough.  Take a buddy to the game instead and have a nice evening at home with the ladyfriend afterword.  

If your traveling partner is game for traveling to the event, be prepared.  A simple store bought can of waterproofing spray will go a long way.  Bring a waterproofed rain jacket.  Hopefully for you, you've already waterproofed your favorite cap just in case.  If not, shame on you, a can of this stuff is only six bucks.  

Quick Tip #2: If you plan on bringing an umbrella, check on the venue's website to make sure they are allowed in the stadium.  

What I've got my eye on: I just purchased a custom made college football jersey.  Here is hoping these become a trend. I'd go with the commemorative World Series Champions Phillies t-shirt or sweatshirt rather than a cap.  Why?  You can pass it on to your kids and it might be a while until your squad wins another world championship (or your city for that matter Philly).  

A line of vintage t-shirts at Ebbets Field Flannels is really making me salivate.  Check out this San Francisco Seals longsleeve shirt.  Also available are the Rosewell Rockets, Denver Bears, and Jersey Giants. You can wear these under an open zip up hoodie for maximum effect. 

Dos and Don'ts: Chicago Baseball Fans

Chicago baseball fans have starkly different reputations based on gross generalizations.  The city, generally divided into south and north sides is home to two Major League Baseball teams, both of which are enjoying a significant amount of success this season.  The Chicago White Sox, on the city's south side, recently won a World Series.  The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, are still looking to end a century-long championship drought this season.  

White Sox fans have the reputation of being blue collar and more knowledgeable about the game.  I'm still waiting to have a friendly, intelligent discussion about the game with a White Sox fan - and I'd be willing to put money on the notion that this reputation comes as a response to the perceived makeup of the Cubs' fanbase.  The Cubs have a reputation of attracting more white collar, former fraternity members, less interested in the game itself than the scene at Wrigley Field.  As a Cubs fan, I'd like to believe that this isn't always true.  Heck, when you listen to John Cusack visit the booth on WGN - you know that it isn't always true.  The guy knows his stuff, plain and simple.   

All this said, every team's fanbase does tend to have a particular personality, which is likely to be subjected to stereotype and cliche.  In order to look cool at a baseball game in Chicago, try to avoid the common pitfalls that so many fans fall into.  Figure out a way to stand out without over doing it.  

Quick Tip: If you attend a game at Wrigley Field, avoid wearing anything pink.  Serious baseball fans constantly mock female Cubs fans wearing their pink jerseys, t-shirts and hats. Besides, Cubbie blue looks good on most women.   

Well Dressed Sports Guy: It is hard to put into words how terrible this get-up is, but I'll try.  This isn't just a crime against sports, this is a crime against humanity.

Well Dressed Girlfriend: Agreed.  Although honestly, if some pigtailed brunette was wearing that to be adorable, I'd hate it even more.  Balancing the surplus testosterone is usually a good idea, but this is not the right way to do it.  How about try some bright blue sunglasses or something equally kitchy, but not furry.

Well Dressed Sports Guy: This guy does pretty much everything correctly, right up to the point where he gets smoked by a dude twice his age employed to wear a children's batting helmet and shag foul balls.  You've got to hand it to the guy, his jersey fits him correctly (not too baggy), his shorts aren't outrageously long and he isn't wearing a dorky hat. A Cubs franchise hat or Cubs New Era 5950 hat would also work here.

Well Dressed Girlfriend: He looks normal.  If you're looking for a second glance, spice it up a bit.  If you are just looking to not make waves, but still exhibit fandom, this look's for you.

Well Dressed Sports Guy: Fukudome has been a fan favorite this season, so a lot of bandwagon jumpers have picked up his jersey.  Don't get me wrong, I've got one hanging in my closet, but I would hesitate before going overboard.  The Cubs alternate blue jersey works well here, but I would ditch the silly armband.  It says, "I wanted to go clubbing with Justin Timberlake in early 2003," not, "I'm a serious baseball fan."  

Well Dressed Girlfriend: Really, it says 'first 500 fans get a free t-shirt" to me.  Even if you're a Fukudome fan from the beginning (I know, I know), you've got to let it go.  This kind of thing happens all the time to hipsters who swear-to-god-listened-to-that-band-in-a-loft-in-Queens-in-99, and they dutifully step aside to allow the general population their simple pleasures.  Fukudome fans, it's your turn.

Well Dressed Sports Guy:  Ummm, yeah?

Well Dressed Girlfriend: I'll bet you $12 she's from New Jersey.  Nice work, though, getting some cleavage out in the open without being tasteless. Seriously, that's hard to do at a day game.

Final Take: Baseball tickets in Chicago are hard to come by because the city is filled with both serious and casual fans.  We recommend breaking the mold a bit if you want to look good at Wrigley or the Cell.  For White Sox fans, check out this Negro League Chicago American Giants jacket. In fact, the color scheme for American Giants throwbacks works for both teams, depending on whether you are looking at road or home threads.  Their home jerseys from 1919 would look great with a Cubs hat.  The same is true for their 1926 duds. 

The Chicago Whales, the city's Federal League team, also had jerseys possessing elements of both the White Sox and Cubs color schemes.  Their road jersey from 1914 is pretty spectacular, but the 1915 Chicago Whales home jersey takes the cake as possibly one of the sweetest jerseys I've seen in awhile.  Try rocking this with a Chicago Cubs 5950 road hat and be prepared to have an intelligent baseball conversation with a north sider.  

Dos and Don'ts of The Well Dressed NFL Fan

With the NFL season upon us, The Well Dressed Sports Fan thought it would be a good time to address some football fan fashion dos and don'ts for the upcoming year.  The Well Dressed Sports Girl will join me for this post.

Picture 1: Jessica Simpson sporting her boyfriend, Tony Romo's, jersey.  

Well Dressed Sports Guy's Take: Jessica Simpson is so damn close to nailing it here.  Plus she is hotter than that time I found a bunch of girly magazines next to a dumpster.  Replace that slightly pink jersey with a more authentic looking jersey and she's got it.  Jessica is clearly wearing the the women's cut jersey, which is a great call here.  The long curly hair tops it off.  Be warned, dressing like this at a game will get you a lot of attention.  If attention is what you're going for - copy this look with your favorite player's jersey and wear it with pride.

Well Dressed Sports Girl's Take:  Agreed.  But come on, are you really faulting her for wearing a little pink?  Jessica Simpson and her look-a-likes can wear the girly version of fan gear

 without shame.  A "real" version might add a few points, but this works.

Sports Guy's Response: A lot of hardcore fans complain about pink hats and jerseys, but if you're hot enough to pull it off, my guess is that even the most hardcore fan won't be complaining.  

Picture 2: Bills fans tailgating.

Well Dressed Sports Guy's Take: These guys actually do a pretty reasonable job of dressing for the game.  The guy on the right could consider subbing the Bill's hat for a plain blue stocking cap, but they don't commit any sins against spot here.  These guys are doing two things correctly -- they are dressing for the weather and they aren't over doing it.  No face paint, no shirtlessness.   

Well Dressed Sports Girl's Take:

 Average.  They don't make me cringe, but there's no reason for a second glance, either.

Sports Guy's Response: I'll agree with your take here, lady, but part of the goal of this blog is not to look like a jackass.  No second take, sure, but they avoid many of the most common crimes against fandom.  

Picture 3: The Shirtless Train Wreck.

Well Dressed Sports Guy's Take:  Here is a wonderful example of what NOT to do.  Nothing says, "Heckle me," like an overweight, shirtless, drunk, sports fan.  The terrible helmet and nipple decorations sort of make me want to jump of a bridge and break both of my ankles on my way down.

Well Dressed Sports Girl's Take: Once, I thought enthusiasm was everything.  This is the exception.

Picture 4: A Bit Too Skimpy?

Well Dressed Sports Guy's Take:  If you're going for reasonable attention, copy Jessica Simpson's look in picture one.  If you're looking for the drunk guy in picture 4 to rub his nipples and make an inappropriate comment about your rack, this is the way to go.  Dignity goes out the window here.  If all you're looking for is to get on TV - oh, and you're hot - this might be the look for you.

Well Dressed Sports Girl's Take: Where are these guys' parents?  Who let them out of the house.  When they were 18.  Seriously, they need supervision.

Sports Guy's Response: Nothing says, I'm pole dance at night and am just here for the attention by not wearing ANYTHING with your teams colors.  Find a sparkling bra that says New Orleans Saints or something.

Picture 5: Straiten up that hat!

Well Dressed Sports Guy's Take: Straighten up that hat and this guy has a pretty sweet look.  This would work well watching the game at a friend's place or going to the game with your girlfriend.  A khaki shirt might work a bit better with the purple hat, but other than that - pretty good lookin'.  Read about how to rock a crushed hat here. 

Well Dressed Sports Girl's Take: This is a good laid back look for going to a game.  Disregard the sports guy's take, though.  A khaki shirt would be intolerable.  Instead go for a classic oxford, and one without the weird chest pockets.  Nice jeans, clean hat, nice watch, then you've got to finish the look with a nice crisp shirt.  As long as you avoid the white hat, you can't fail with this look.

Sports Guy's Response: I would try to avoid the "I just came from work," look that so many guys fall into at baseball games.  Instead, if you're going for this kind of look, wear a casual looking oxford, rather than one you'd wear with a tie to the office.  Finally, be sure to roll up the sleeves.  

See more with our NFL Preseason Preview here.