The short answer
Wear warm layers you can adjust: a thermal or fitted top, a cozy sweater or your team jersey, jeans or faux leather joggers, and closed-toe ankle booties you can walk in. Seats by the glass feel coldest, so add a sherpa jacket, a beanie or gloves there. For a date night, swap in a dressier sweater.
Arenas stay cold to protect the ice, and the rows right by the glass feel coldest of all. Seats higher up usually feel milder, so your seat changes what to wear to a hockey game as much as your plans do. That is why each outfit below is matched to a place in the arena or a type of night: the glass, the upper bowl, a date, or a community rink. You do not need a team jersey to look the part. A soft sweater in a heart or check print, faux leather joggers and ankle booties look polished. They still let you cheer, climb steep stairs and sit through three periods without feeling bundled up. Every look is built from pieces you can mix again for dinners and weekends all winter. Shop the full mix of cozy knits and outerwear in our Fall Collection, then pick the look that fits your night out.
What to wear to a hockey game: 4 outfits by seat
1. Seats by the glass: heart sweater and joggers
Rows near the ice feel the coldest, so build warmth from the inside out. Start with a thermal or fitted long-sleeve top. Add the Sophie Mocha Heart Sweater, a beige knit with mocha hearts. Pair it with the On My Way Jogger Pants in caramel, faux leather with a drawstring waist and elastic ankle cuffs. Finish with the Sadie Tri-Tone Bootie and a beanie.
Tip: Tuck a beanie and gloves into your coat pocket so they are ready by the glass.
2. Upper bowl: check sweater and black joggers
Higher seats feel milder, so you need less bulk and can let one sweater do the work. The Checkmate Chic Knit Sweater has a black and white checkerboard knit, puff sleeves and a ribbed hem. It looks polished without any team gear. Tuck the front into the Thinking Out Loud Paper-bag Jogger Pants, black faux leather with cargo pockets and a tapered leg.
Tip: Carry a light jacket anyway for the walk in and out.
3. Date night at the game: sparkle and booties
For a date or a girls' night, choose a sweater with a little shine. The Happy Holidays Sweater is a black crew neck with a jeweled neckline. It looks dressed up and still keeps you warm. Wear it with black faux leather joggers or dark jeans. Add the Becker Bootie, a white faux leather western ankle boot with a low stacked heel. Faux leather is easy to wipe if a drink spills.
Tip: Keep jewelry small so the neckline stays the star.
4. Outdoor or community rink: sherpa jacket
A local rink or an outdoor game often feels colder than a big arena, so a real outer layer matters. The Going Wild Leopard Faux Sherpa Zip Up Jacket zips over a sweater and adds a bold print to a simple outfit. Wear it with jeans, ankle booties, a beanie and gloves. Bring a small blanket if you plan to sit for a while.
Tip: Choose a sweater in a plain neutral so the leopard print leads.
If you want to wear a jersey
A team jersey is the classic choice, and it still works in a cute outfit. Jerseys are cut loose, so wear one over a fitted long-sleeve top or a thin thermal instead of a bulky hoodie. That keeps the shape neat and gives you a layer to take off if the crowd warms the room. Pair it with slim jeans or faux leather joggers, since a narrow leg balances a roomy top. The On My Way Jogger Pants come in rose gold and caramel, two soft neutrals that sit well beside most team colors. If your team wears red, add the Cozy Cabin Buffalo Plaid Shacket for the walk in, with its sherpa trim and roomy sleeves. On a no-jersey night, it works over any plain sweater. Choose ankle booties or clean sneakers you can walk in. No jersey at home? Pick a sweater in one of your team's colors.
Care and keeping
Spills happen in the stands. Faux leather pieces, like the joggers and booties above, are easy to wipe with a damp cloth right away. Knit sweaters need gentler care: blot a spill instead of rubbing it, then air the sweater out overnight before you fold it away. Always follow the care label on each piece.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cold at professional hockey games?
Yes, it is cool inside, because the arena keeps the air chilly to protect the ice. Seats near the glass feel the coldest, while higher seats usually feel milder. Plan on long sleeves, a sweater and a light jacket, and add a beanie or gloves if you sit close to the ice.
Can you wear a dress to a hockey game?
Yes, if you dress it for the cold. Choose a knit or sweater dress with long sleeves, add opaque tights and ankle booties, and bring a jacket. Skip short, thin dresses, since you will sit through three periods in cool air and climb plenty of stairs.
What shoes to wear to a hockey game?
Wear closed-toe shoes you can walk in, like ankle booties with a low heel or clean sneakers. Concourses get crowded, stairs are steep and spills happen. Skip open toes, tall stilettos and delicate shoes you would hate to ruin. Booties also keep your ankles warm in the cold rows.
Shoes and bags that work in the stands
- Do wear closed-toe ankle booties with a low heel, or clean sneakers.
- Do carry a small crossbody bag that sits flat on your lap.
- Do bring a beanie and gloves you can stash in a pocket.
- Don't wear open toes, sandals or tall stilettos on steep stairs.
- Don't bring a bulky tote; check your arena's bag rules before you go.
- Don't wear delicate shoes you would hate to see splashed.
