Brrr . . . Preparing for Winter

Autumn is easily the best time to be a sports fan.  I can't say this enough.  Football is now well under way and we're in the midst of the baseball playoffs.  Basketball and hockey are on the horizon and the crisp weather gives sports fans' the opportunity to break out the hooded sweatshirt.  As we've mentioned before, NFL hoodies, by-in-large, are not nearly as cool your classic college hooded sweatshirt. But what other tips should a sports fan be aware of as the weather turns cool?  Well, there are plenty, and you've come to the right place.

The very first thing on your shopping list should be a gray hoodie for your favorite team.  Gray might not be the most exciting color in the rainbow, but it can be worn under zipped or buttoned up jackets like these, or it can be worn underneath your jersey.  This works especially well with football jerseys that might run a bit large on you or when attending a hockey game in an arena kept cool.  

Despite the fact that your hands would be chilly without them, we would recommend against going with these kinds of gloves.  If you're headed to an indoor hockey game - why not try some gray wool gloves instead? For fans attending an outdoor football game - consider a pair of Nike cold weather gloves designed to counter the elements.  

Also for NFL fans, we love these throwback hats - but only for going to games or hanging out with the guys.  Let's be honest, they look a little goofy, but we love 'em anyway.  

Be careful when buying an NFL jacket.  Most of the available jackets look a lot like the Starter Jackets kids were getting in fights for in the early 1990s.  Definitely opt for something a little more adult looking like this.  

What to Wear: Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have one of the most dedicated and hardcore franchises in all of professional sports.  They also have one of the most recognizable hats in all of Major League Baseball.  Once the Red Sox finally pulled off a World Series victory after an 86 year long drought - it seemed as though every sports fan in the Northeast was somehow required to purchase one of these on the field caps (and if you did happen to buy one of those 5950 caps, be sure to check out our post on breaking them in). Even if you had never watched a full Red Sox game in your life - you suddenly had an uncle, who had a cousin, who lived right in the heart of the city. Or something.  

Longtime Red Sox fans must feel like serious wine drinkers after the movie Sideways came out. Smothered by newbie fans who suddenly think they are some kind of experts.  The crushing throng has only increased with the addition of popular Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka - making the fanbase increasingly international.

With so much Red Sox gear available, and so many newbie fans, how can you manage to look like a cool fan - instead of some crazed idiot who over does it?  Whether your at Fenway, or just watching the games at home this post is all about how to be a well dressed Boston Red Sox fan.

For as much crap as I give some of my friends who follow the Red Sox about the growing number of bandwagon Red Sox caps I seem to see on a daily basis - the iconic Boston Red Sox hat really does look pretty darn good.  Unlike the Yankees hat, it has a little color, but it doesn't clash with most guy attire.  If you're going to a game; we recommend topping it off with the team's red alternate jersey or outerwear jacket.  The logos here don't duplicate - instead, they compliment each other.  

Quick Tip: We recommend - as with most sports apparel - that you wear only one item of your favorite team unless you are actually going to the game or going out to watch it on tv. Stock up on standard colored polos or pocket t-shirts and top it off with your favorite hat if you're going for the casual look.  For playoff runs - we expect that all bets will be off.   

If you want to opt for something a bit different, check out this 1890 Boston Beaneaters t-shirt - which would go well with a kelly green Red Sox hat.  The Beaneaters' home jersey makes more sense to wear with a cap bearing the Red Sox standard colors (extra points for a throwback with a collar).  

I've also noticed a lot of fans wearing business suits to games at Fenway.  Trust me, I respect the fact that you came to the game straight from work - I get it.  But seriously, I don't want to hear your complain three rows back when you spill ketchup on your threads. Why not buy an extra hoodie to leave at work?  If you're invited to Fenway after closing time, grab the hoodie on your way out.  Ditch your suit coat and put the hoodie on instead.

Showing National Pride Without Looking Like a National Goofball

I've just gotta say it, the official Olympics logo usually looks a bit lame on clothing.  Further, the Olympic gear is highly time sensitive.  Sort of like that Super Bowl XL (2006) t-shirt, it won't be cool for another 15 years, when it finally becomes vintage.  The Olympics 2008 merchandise looks neat now, while the games are actually going, but once the craze dies down - the stuff instantly looks dated.

Back in 2002, during the Salt Lake City Olympics, everyone was wearing those god-awful roots stocking caps that looked like they belonged in a Charles Dickens novel.  People were running around looking like little matchstick girls.  Just terrible.  

A number of team sports such baseball (which will soon be discontinued from the Olympics), basketball, soccer, and hockey feature events for both the Olympics as well as a number of world tournaments.  In my opinion - unless you are a huge fan of a particular Olympics only sport - consider picking up something for one of these teams rather than that "USA Field Hockey" shirt that might look cool every four years.

A USA baseball hat, Canada hockey jersey, or washed Brazil soccer t-shirt, not only looks cooler, it will be useful for more occasions than a "Beijing 2008" hoodie.  

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about cheering on your country, but I would avoid wearing more than one piece of flare unless you are traveling to see your country play a match.  A cool Team USA baseball hat, however, can be worn with a solid t-shirt or polo should to make you look great at any ballpark.  

If you are traveling to an Olympic event, consider picking up a simple t-shirt that will look good when handed down to your kids.  I would kill for a vintage 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics t-shirt.

Final call: If you are traveling to the Olympics, pick up a fun piece of clothing with the year and location proudly front and center.  The gear will look cool around your friends when you get home and once it has runs its course and looks a bit out of date, you can save it and pass it along to your kids along with your stories from your trip to the games.  

Read a bit more about the tragedy that is Olympic fashion here.

Team by Team: Washington Nationals

In 2005, the Washington Nationals became the first MLB team to relocate and change their logo, team name, and color scheme.  While I'm a history nerd and in particular a fan of worlds fairs, the Montreal Expos logo and uniforms were kind of a mess.  Naming a team name after a long completed World's Fair was probably doomed to fail from the start and with Washington's long history of baseball, the change made perfect sense.  

Washington's colors are (appropriately enough) red, white and blue.  As a sports fan, I think their caps and jerseys are rather attractive.  My personal favorites are the road blue cap and the throwback 1952-1960 cap, which feature a similar color scheme.  

A friend of mine has critiqued the primary, "curly W" logo of the Washington Nationals as looking exactly like the Walgreens logo.  After challenging him, I took another look at theWalgreens logo and was forced to concede . . . but I still think the blue caps are solid.  Well Dressed Sports Girl thinks the solid W in the throwback logos looks a bit too much like a George W. Bush ad campaign.  

Around the city of Washington D.C. - the solid red home hat is popular. If I lived in Washington, I'd consider picking one of these up to wear to games, but I don't think the home hat is something I'd wear anywhere else.  The Nats have also featured a solid green hat as part of an effort to advertise a new cable channel, which makes me want to puke a little.  

The solid red "DC" alternate caps are also popular around the city, as are the blacked out versions of these caps.  I'd rate these as their third best hats as I find the gold to be a bit excessive, but these hats are certainly an improvement over the green fiascos.  

The MLB Washington Nationals online store also features some incredible Senators jerseys, which can set you back a few bucks.  On the other hand, they also make you look like a hardcore fan. 

Finally, I'd submit that this sweatshirt is a nice option for night games.  D.C. is a shirt and tie sort of city and a sweet hoodie can tone down your outfit after a few beers on a September evening.  It is pretty damn hot in DC during the summer, so my guess is that you would only need a hoodie like this early and late in the season to wear to the ballpark, or in the offseason when you visit your parents in Wyoming.  

If you're a fan of the President's races (and how can you not be?) check out the fantastic Let Teddy Win! shirts. 

Final take: The Nationals are basking in the joy of a new stadium.  The bars in the outfield have become a great place to meet other young baseball fans from the Washington D.C. area. Grab an 5950 road cap, break it in for a week or two, find the right sunglasses, then head to the game and make some new friends.