If You Catch a Substacker at a Sporting Event
A look into what your favorite Substackers are wearing to sporting events
I love sports. Alright let me be clear, I prefer playing sports over watching them. However, lately I’ve been getting into going to a few Blazers basketball games and Timber’s soccer matches. Partly for the comradery, and partly for the excuse to put a look together.
I’m really hoping my son will come to love sports, but it’s okay if he doesn’t. It’s not like I’m going to try and live my Olympic dreams through him or anything. Or maybe he will be into theatre. And I definitely won’t try and live my other dream of being a famous actor through him either. I’m chill. Super chill.
Substack is like a sport, right? Writing is hard—it takes practice, patience, and a lot of staring at my computer thinking of what to say to you all. You have your elite Substackers with thousands of subscribers and then there’s me. The amateur. Maybe one day I’ll make it to the big leagues.
Since I love sports so much, I decided to ask a few fellow Substackers what they would wear to sporting events. I didn’t give them a lot of rules except pick a sport and send me a selfie or an outfit. I also gave them a deadline of November 1st—right after Halloween. Who does that!? Sorry y’all that was mean of me.
I was curious what they would send. Would they lean into the team’s vibe or stay true to their own signature style? Maybe they’d show up decked out in team colors and gear or maybe not. Let’s find out!
p.s follow me on IG for more fun: Katelyn_Cnossen
THE SUBSTACK ATHLETES
writer of
Latest Post: The Best of Fall
Sport: Youth Football
I’m headed to the 7/8 grade youth football playoffs as my alter ego, the Reluctant Sports Mom™️. It will either be raining, cold, or both, with no guarantee of a cover over the stands, so one must be prepared. I tend to grab whatever pieces I have in the team colors, green in this case, and layer it up. Team merch is optional but encouraged.
I’m wearing hat (similar), shirt, team sweatshirt (but if I wasn’t I’d be wearing this), vest, trench, jeans, sneakers.
writer of
Latest Post: Dressing for the Journey: Travel Outfits That Go the Distance
Sport: Youth Hockey & Baseball
During the week, I’m work as a merchant for a clothing brand, and during the weekend I work as a private driver for athletes. And by athletes, I mean my kids. I spend my 9-5 (or really, 7-4) driving all over the tristate area to hockey and baseball games, and when I’m not in the car, I’m at a rink or the field. And I’m probably cold. So, I need comfort and layers.
My go-to look is my Shon pants (also known as my airplane pants), a long sleeve tee (which is sometimes just silk long underwear), a chunky wool sweater (which I keep in my trusty tote bag), weather-resistant boots or Birkenstocks, cashmere socks, and a warm jacket*. (And snacks, so many snacks.) I’ve discovered that a fun jacket brings me a little extra joy and verve during those long drives and intense games (and makes me feel a little more me in an arena filled with hockey parents).
writer of
Latest Post: The Weeknight Strategy That Changed Everything
Sport: Hockey
I’ve been a Tampa Bay Lightning fan for life and recently took my son to his first game! Here’s what I wear when I’m not in the mood for a jersey:
Black denim and straight-leg jeans keep it effortless, a striped crewneck brings the classic cool, and suede Chelsea boots say, “I know my way around both a rink and a post-game cocktail bar.” A clear purse, because arena rules. And when stadium lights hit hard, the diamonds come out to play.
My mini showed up in a Carhartt utility suit and classic Vans...equal parts rugged and ready for rink snacks.
Latest Post: Fun finds and a party cardigan edit
Sport: Pickleball
Headed to a pickleball tournament this weekend! Day 1: I’m wearing my favorite Ruti pants (use my code for a discount-GINNY15), the coziest oatmeal fleece sweatshirt from Old Navy, white ballet flats from Mango, and a touch of sparkle with a fancy necklace. I’m also bringing a baseball cap, my go-to jacket, and a canvas bag to carry all the essentials, plus these sunnies.
Day 2: Ruti pants, denim shirt, same fancy necklace, same white flats and a grey sweatshirt over arms. Can’t wait to watch some pickleball!
writer of The Sweat Lookbook
Latest Post: How to Dress Like You Just Won Head of Charles
Sport: Rowing
As a Bostonian, the highlight of my fall sports calendar is the Head of the Charles, the largest 3-day regatta in the world that’s held in the heart of the city. This year I was both spectating and competing, which made for a busy weekend! To cheer on the crews, the key is wearing layers – it can be windy and cool in the shade and hot as the sun gets going on the bridges. Spectating is a full-day affair with lots of walking, so the art is in balancing comfort and style. I wore:
My trusty Alex Mill Donegal Cardigan (old!)
Dark wash AYR jeans I got on final sale. These are the closest.
The Loeffler Randall Topspin sneaker (with fun socks for a pop of color)
I always carry a canvas tote and will throw on a cotton baseball hat with my team logo to finish the fit!
writer of Rambling in Style
Latest Post: Fun is the trend, Color is the driver
Sport: Youth Soccer
The sporting event I’d wear this look to is my kids’ iconic weekend soccer games. Since I’ll be standing on the sidelines, following strict rules not to cheer too loudly (and trying to avoid conflict with other parents screaming at my child in goal), I need to be comfortable and ready to spring into action if things get out of line. I love wearing my navy-blue leggings with crew socks and some dad sneakers. Burgundy and red are my go-to color combo right now, so I paired my polo hat with the best burgundy sweater ever.
writer of Just a Splash
Latest Post: girl crush, jennifer cook
Sport: Youth Gymnastics
We are not a huge sports family, but every week I take my son to gymnastics. And you know what I do there? I work on that week’s Substack newsletter! Oops. Maybe I should be watching, but he’s five and let’s be honest, they’re not doing a ton at this age. There’s WiFi, so I pack up my computer and have an hour and fifteen minutes in a packed, sweaty observation room to work. I’m always in something comfortable — this is a pretty accurate picture.
writer of The Hardware Store
Latest Post: A hoodie a day
Sport: Hockey & Football
I tried not to overthink the assignment. So, giving myself five minutes, I threw on what I would for real probably wear to a sporting event. Likely a weekend afternoon semi-professional hockey or football game as a fun activity with the kids.
My go-to would definitely be something comfy. I wrote a few weeks ago about making plaid shirt around the waist a practical addition to your outfit and a sporting event seems like a prime occasion for that. Where I could skip having to figure out what to do with a big, bulky jacket in the stands, but still have layers in tow to stay warm. Something in my psyche will always wear a fancy shoe choice for a sports game. Maybe because it feels like elevating without overdoing it.
writer of You Look Great
Latest Post: SPOTTED: Leopard, The Ultimate It Print
Sport: Football
I love the sports but having grown up in a college town, football has a special place in my heart. Layering is CRUCIAL as football goes deep into November, or, with the new playoff structure, January. For it (or any other cold weather sport), I think lean into your usual vibe but add some pieces of spirit (i.e. me and my fur but also my hat! Go Irish!).
(me lol) writer of Spilling the Tea
Latest Post: Cheetah Print is the New Neutral
Sport: Basketball
I’m headed to an NBA Blazer’s game, and I can’t decide between the three outfits. Honestly it will have to depend on my mood. A decision I will make 20 minutes before heading out the door. I’ll stick with a pop of red (my favorite color, and conveniently one of the Blazers’), to keep the look on brand. It says I support the Blazers without screaming superfan.
frequently featured in Spilling the Tea
Sport: Cross country meet for the twins (my brother & I)
Good gravy—little did I know when I went to their 1st meet my husband and I would have to run 100 miles to see them at different spots. Honestly, we couldn’t wait until basketball season!
Need to wear - warm jacket to strip off after you run 100 miles and running shoes or very comfortable boots to get through all of the terrain!
Tell Me More:
Are you a sports fan?
Are you watching or playing sports?
Thank you to my amazing Substack friends for participating in this assignment!
Big-time sports fan, but as a retired athlete, I don’t have a competitive bone left in my body. I loved all of these looks! I’m definitely taking a page from Libby and rocking a fur to the next youth sporting event—just to flex.
I LOVED seeing each writer's take on this prompt! This was SO FUN, Kate!!!
As a person who is not really into sports but spends 8+ months of the year as a coach’s wife, I LOVE this. Snaps for everyone, you did great.