20 Basketball Game Outfits for Courtside, the Nosebleeds, and Watch Parties
A basketball arena is warm, and your coat has nowhere to go.
NBA arenas aim for around 70°F, so the jacket you wore outside ends up on your lap for two and a half hours.
Dress for the inside, and carry the outside.
The other thing that catches people is the bag rule. At Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, anything bigger than a 5 by 9 inch clutch stays outside. The outfits below are grouped by the kind of game, from a jersey over a white tee with wide-leg jeans to the jersey and knee-high boots A'ja Wilson wore at the 2025 WNBA All-Star game. Our game day outfits cover football and the stadium clear-bag rule, and the hockey game outfits handle the much colder arena.
Arena heat and bag rules
The 2026-27 NBA season tips off on October 20, 2026, and runs to April 11, 2027. Arenas are kept warm, usually somewhere around 65 to 72°F, which is a lot warmer than a hockey rink. Layers you can take off matter more than a heavy coat.
| Arena | Bag rule |
|---|---|
| Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles | No bags, backpacks, or totes. Clutches and wallets under 5 x 9 x 1 in only. |
| Madison Square Garden, New York | Bags under 22 x 14 x 9 in that fit under the seat, according to venue guides. |
| Chase Center, San Francisco | Bags up to 14 x 14 x 6 in, no backpacks, according to venue guides. |
Check the arena's official page before you go, since rules change. A phone-and-cards crossbody is the safe choice almost everywhere.
NBA arena night (1 to 5)
1. Team crewneck, straight jeans, and Dunks
A team crewneck, straight jeans, and low-top sneakers. It is the default arena outfit. A crewneck gets warm at 70°F, so wear a tee under it and take it off at halftime if you need to.
2. Jersey over a white tee with wide-leg jeans
A basketball jersey over a white tee, wide-leg jeans, and sneakers. Basketball jerseys have deep armholes that show your bra, so the tee is not optional. Wide jeans balance the boxy jersey. Our oversized t-shirt outfits use the same proportions.
3. Varsity jacket and all black
A varsity jacket in team colors over a black top and black jeans. The jacket carries the team, and black does the rest. A thick varsity jacket ends up on your lap, so choose a lighter wool one over a padded one.
4. Team-color knit and cargo pants
A knit in your team's main color, cargo pants, and chunky sneakers. Arena floors are sticky by the third quarter, so white soles will not stay white. Wipe them as soon as you get home.
5. Graphic tee, flannel, and jeans
A vintage team tee with an open flannel and jeans. The flannel comes off and ties around your waist when the arena warms up. Our graphic tee styling guide has more ways to wear a team shirt.
Courtside and date night (6 to 9)
NBA tunnel walks, the players' arrival outfits, now get weekly best-dressed lists from GQ and Vogue, which has made dressing up for a game feel normal.
6. Oversized blazer over a jersey
An oversized blazer over a jersey, leather trousers, and pointed boots. The blazer turns the jersey into a date outfit. Leather trousers run warm in a 70°F arena, so a thin jersey matters. Our leather pants outfits have more ideas.
7. Cream knit set and tall boots
A cream knit set with tall boots, all in one color family. It looks expensive courtside. The downside is obvious: cream next to nachos and beer. Eat carefully, or choose the set in grey.
8. Black turtleneck, tailored trousers, and a clutch
A black turtleneck, tailored trousers, and a clutch small enough for Crypto.com Arena's 5 by 9 inch rule. It works for a Lakers game and the dinner after it without a change.
9. Leather jacket and a slip skirt
A leather jacket over a tee with a satin slip skirt and Mary Jane sneakers. Sneakers make the slip skirt work for a game, and you can manage the steep upper-bowl stairs in them. Our winter date night outfits have dressier ideas.
WNBA, for next summer (10 to 12)
The WNBA season runs from roughly May to the fall, so save these. Attendance has grown fast. In 2024 the league average jumped 48 percent to 9,807 fans a game, and in 2025 the WNBA set a season record of more than 3.1 million fans.
10. Baby tee, Bermuda shorts, and low sneakers
A fitted team baby tee, long Bermuda shorts, and low sneakers, for a summer game. The long shorts balance the short tee. Our Bermuda shorts outfits show more summer pairings.
11. Jersey and knee-high boots
An oversized jersey worn as a short dress with knee-high boots. A'ja Wilson wore this at the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend, and it is the most fashion-forward jersey look there is. Heavy boots in a summer arena are warm, so this suits a night game. Our knee-high boot outfits cover the boot fit.
12. Jersey dress over bike shorts
An oversized jersey as a dress over bike shorts, with sneakers. Bike shorts stop chafing on a long summer day. If the jersey looks too much like a uniform, belt it at the waist.
College and the student section (13 to 16)
Many student sections run theme nights, white-outs, black-outs, or the school colors, like Michigan State's green and white Izzone. Check your school's theme schedule before you pick an outfit.
13. White tee, white jeans, and white sneakers (white-out night)
A white tee, white jeans, white sneakers, and face paint. It looks great in the crowd shot, and nothing will be white by the end of the night. Wear clothes you are prepared to stain.
14. Black-out hoodie and joggers
An all-black hoodie and joggers for a black-out night. Stains barely show on black, and joggers are comfortable for a game spent standing. Our hoodie outfits have more ways to wear a school sweatshirt.
15. School crewneck, pleated mini, and crew socks
A school crewneck with a pleated mini and crew socks. It is the classic college game look. Bleacher edges are cold on bare legs, so add tights in winter. Our college outfits have more campus looks.
16. Overalls and a school tee
Denim overalls over a school tee, with sneakers. Overalls give you pockets, which helps when the arena's bag rule is strict.
March Madness watch party (17 and 18)
The 2027 men's Final Four is at Ford Field in Detroit in early April. Most people watch the bracket from a bar or a friend's couch.
17. Bracket-team tee and a flannel
A tee for the team you picked to win, a flannel, and jeans. A crowded bar is warm and has nowhere to put a coat, so leave the long one at home.
18. Cropped team jacket and wide-leg jeans
A cropped team jacket over a tank with wide-leg jeans. The short jacket stays on all night without getting in the way. Our black jeans outfits have darker alternatives.
Your kid's game (19 and 20)
19. Fleece quarter-zip, leggings, and slip-ons
A fleece quarter-zip, leggings, and slip-on sneakers, with a cushion for hard bleachers. Some school gyms ban street shoes on the court, so check before you walk across it.
20. Puffer vest, long-sleeve tee, and jeans
A puffer vest over a long-sleeve tee and jeans. School gyms vary from freezing to stuffy, and a vest is the easiest layer to adjust. For the full weekend-tournament wardrobe, our sweatpants outfits keep it comfortable.
What we would skip
- A tote at Crypto.com Arena. Clutches and wallets under 5 x 9 inches only.
- A jersey with nothing under it. The armholes show everything.
- Stilettos on steep upper-bowl stairs.
- A heavy coat for a warm arena. It spends the game on your lap.
- Your favorite white sneakers on a sticky arena floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to a basketball game?
Something comfortable for a warm arena, since NBA venues aim for around 70°F: a team tee or jersey with jeans and sneakers covers most games. Bring a jacket you can hold on your lap, and check the arena's bag policy first, since some, like Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, only allow a small clutch.
How do you style a basketball jersey as a woman?
Over a white tee with jeans, under an oversized blazer with leather trousers, or as a short dress over bike shorts. A'ja Wilson wore an oversized jersey with knee-high boots at the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend. A tee under the jersey keeps the deep armholes from showing your bra.
Can I bring a bag to an NBA game?
It depends on the arena. Crypto.com Arena allows only clutches and wallets under 5 x 9 x 1 inches. Madison Square Garden and Chase Center allow larger bags, according to venue guides, but check the official arena page before you go. Unlike NFL stadiums, most NBA arenas do not require clear bags.
What should I wear to a college basketball game?
Your school's colors, or whatever the student section's theme is that night, such as a white-out or black-out. Check the school's theme-game schedule. Wear sneakers, since student sections stand for most of the game, and layers if the gym or arena runs cold.
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start?
The 2026-27 NBA regular season opens on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and runs to April 11, 2027. The 2027 men's Final Four is at Ford Field in Detroit in early April.
