10 Rules To Wearing Jerseys (2024)

You have a rockin’ collection of jerseys stashed in your closet. It’s game day and you’re ready to rep your team. For story’s sake, let’s say you’re a die-hard San Diego Chargers fan. You pull out that throwback #55 Junior Seau (may he rest in peace) jersey, a pair of jeans, sneakers, and then you tuck your jersey into your jeans.

STOP!

You just took what could have been an awesome ensemble, and you ruined the whole thing. Sports fans often think, “As long as I’ve got a cool jersey on, I’m good to go.” Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Just like in other areas of life, style points do matter (I hope Will Muschamp sees that last sentence). If you want to look good while watching your favorite team, take a few pointers from me.

Here are 10 rules to wearing jerseysto help you avoid looking like a foolwhen rocking a jersey. If you dig this article, we did it in podcast form as well where we dishmoreabout these rules to wearing jerseys.

1. Don’t wear a personalized jersey

10 Rules To Wearing Jerseys (1)

I get it. You’ve always wanted to play for your favorite team. Ever since you were five years old, you envisioned that the Los Angeles Dodgers were going to start you at first base. Well, they have this guy named Adrian holding down that spot, and his last name isn’t Smith, O’Leary, Simmons, or whatever your last name is.

If a girl has a personalized jersey, and she’s really hot, she’ll usually get a free pass on this one. Guys? Never. I’ll admit, I have a Miami Dolphins jersey with the #27 and Mackman on it. It was a gift from my father, and do you know when I wear it? Almost never, but if I happen to watch a game at my dad’s house when nobody else is around, I might bust it out. If you’re going to spend the money to have a jersey actually lettered and numbered for you, just pick the star player or a legend. You want something with staying power. Don’t go blowing your money on something you’ll regret.

To top it off, please don’t wear the whole uniform. Ronnie Woo Woo can get away with this, and that’s about it.

2. Don’t tuck your jersey in (aka Wilboning)

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This just kills me. Jerseys are casual attire. Do you tuck your t-shirt in? Do you tuck your polo in (outside of a golf course setting)? Of course not (if you said yes, you should expect to stay single for a very long time). Athletes on the field tuck their jerseys in because they have to according to the rules of most sports leagues. It has a valid reason, and a correlation to performance, as well as preventing in jury. I don’t think you’re going to get hurt, and you sure aren’t having to perform much more than showing off your chugging prowess, so don’t tuck your jersey in unless you want to be the biggest dork in the room.

3. Wear a shirt under your jersey

I hate seeing this, and Greg Maddux did this a lot. He was also one of the best pitchers of his era, and he has license to do whatever is comfortable for him while striking guys out. It still looks stupid to have nothing under a sleeved jersey, and I don’t know many women that were drooling over his looks.

I think every jersey looks great with a¾ sleeve, or raglan, shirt underneath. It works for every sport, but I realize for those of you in Texas, Florida, and Arizona it can get quite hot. In that case, a regular cotton t-shirt works just fine.

The one caveat here is basketball jerseys. Many people will wear them as tank tops in the summer. That’s fine, but make sure you put in some gym time first.¾ sleeve t-shirts look great underneath basketball jerseys, and t-shirts are 50/50. You’ll either look okay, or you’ll end up looking like Patrick Ewing. Just be sure to color coordinate.

10 Rules To Wearing Jerseys (4)

4. Get a jersey that fits you

I never understand why people think it’s okay to wear size XXL when clearly they’re a medium. This gets difficult with some football jerseys because authentic NFL jerseys seem to start at size 48. That’s already a size too big for me. You don’t have to have your jersey tailored, but you should know what size you wear. Jerseys are not flattering on most body types, so you make it worse when you go too big or too small.Just like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, get one that fits just right. If you have no choice, you can go one size above, but only if it’s the jersey of a sport that would typically involve shoulder pads.

5. Know your environment

There is a time and a place to wear jerseys. When you were a kid you could wear a jersey to school every day. You’re not in school anymore, and hopefully you’ve learned the art of timing. Are you going to a sports bar after work? Fine, throw on a jersey. Going to the gym? Heck no! Nobody wants to see you trying to bench press a measly 135 pounds while wearing a Ray Lewis jersey. Ray can lift a lot more than you, and you look just as dumb as the guy barely doing squats with the Superman t-shirt on.

Here are the acceptable times to wear a jersey:

  • At a game
  • At a sports bar
  • At a party specifically for a sporting event (Super Bowl, World Cup, etc.)
  • Halloween
  • If your work decides to have a jersey-themed day for fun
  • To outdoor events/festivals
  • Inside your own home
  • On a Monday if your team is playing on Monday Night Football

That’s it.

6. Shoes matter

This might be foreign to a lot of guys, but women do care about the shoes we wear. If it’s warm outside, flip flops and boat shoes are completely acceptable to wear with your jersey. For you sneakerheads, sneakers are okay as long as they’re fresh. You know those beat up running shoes you wore in last month’s Warrior Dash? Leave them at home. Go out and get some comfortable, crisp, casual shoes to wear so you don’t fall into this fashion disaster.

7. Don’t wear a jersey of a team that isn’t playing in the game you’re attending

Ever go to a Bears vs. Packers game and some tool four rows in front of you is wearing a Seattle Seahawks jersey? Why are you here?

Do I go to games where I have no interest in the teams playing? Sure, because I love sports, but I go in neutral colors.

The best way to avoid any scrutiny is to get an All-Star Game jersey. You can wear those to any game in the country, and nobody will give you flak for it. If you’re at the Super Bowl or at an All-Star Game, you have carte blanche to wear whatever team you’d like. This applies because at those events, every team has a representative (unless you’re a Browns fan), or you likely bought tickets without knowing who would be there.

8. Age matters…sometimes

I find it weird when someone is 65 years old yet they’re wearing a Robert Griffin III jersey. It’s a small quirk. As you get up in age, find jerseys that connects to the era when you first fell in love with sports. My dad rocks a 1969 Ray Nitschke jersey on Sundays. Now that’s pretty sweet! It shows you’ve been loving your team your entire life as opposed to having just discovered sports last season.

9. Blank jerseys are just okay

Jerseys are always better with a player name and number on them. Some jerseys you can’t wear blank, like basketball or football. Baseball and hockey jerseys can be worn blank, but making the effort to remedy that is always appreciated.

Here at Bacon Sports, we love obscure and random athletes. Anyone have the jersey of an offensive lineman? That would be awesome to see! Everyone in Chicago has a Michael Jordan jersey, but not everyone has Luc Longley. Again, if you have to go with the blank jersey, nobody is going to hate on you, but it’s the details that matter.

10. Wear the team colors, not a pink jersey

This is for the ladies. If you’re a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and you’re wearing a pink rhinestone-laden Ben Roethlisberger jersey, I can’t take you seriously. If you’re proud of your team, you should be proud of their colors. Do the right thing, and get yourself a real jersey. This also goes for guys who buy camouflage versions of their team’s jersey and/or hats.

In conclusion…

Look, we know jerseys aren’t always the most fashionable choice in our closets. However, we love our teams, and we definitely love our jerseys. At the very heart of it, wearing jerseys isn’t much different than Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars fans dressing up as their favorite characters. It’s merely a matter of what is more socially acceptable. Therefore, while we claim to be less dorky, I’m not sure that’s necessarily true. It’s just that sports is less niche, and we really own it!

Take these 10 rules to wearing jerseys tips to heart, and use them so you don’t embarrass yourself (or your significant other) because anyone can be cool in a jersey if they know the rules.

Ryan Mackman has more jerseys than your girlfriend has shoes and he’s not ashamed of it. If he could, he’d wear a jersey with a tie to work every day, but apparently that’s “not professional.” You can follow him on Twitter at @rmackman.

Send all tips, suggestions, and praise to boom@baconsports.com.

If you love rocking jerseys then you’ll dig our newsletter. Sign up HERE!

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10 Rules To Wearing Jerseys (2024)

FAQs

Why wear a jersey? ›

A sports jersey is a shirt worn by members of a team to identify their affiliation with the team. Jerseys identify their wearers' names and/or numbers, generally showing the colors and logo of the team.

When can you wear jerseys? ›

Here are the acceptable times to wear a jersey: At a game. At a sports bar. At a party specifically for a sporting event (Super Bowl, World Cup, etc.)

Why do people wear sports jerseys? ›

Some people wear it for the colors, others wear it because they like that particular team, or because that particular team is where they are from. Regardless of the reasons, people wear sports apparel, it still brings everyone together as one when you see someone wearing a jersey or a particular team that you may like.

What clothes to wear with a jersey? ›

Most styles of jeans are going to complement your jersey, however, we love skinnier styles to give a cleaner silhouette. Ripped and distressed versions also look the piece, especially with vintage throwback swingman jerseys. Chinos: Another option to jeans, chinos also give a clean look to complement your jersey.

How should jerseys fit? ›

They're not meant to be a tight fit, especially if your physique is more Vince Wilfork than Matt Ryan. Leave plenty of room so you can fit the jersey over a sweatshirt, which obscures your gut and keeps you warm.

Why is it called jerseys? ›

Until after the Second World War, sports jerseys were made mainly of cotton or wool jersey, a soft, stretchy knit fabric. This is where the word “jersey” comes from.

What means jersey? ›

jer·​sey ˈjər-zē plural jerseys. : any of various close-fitting usually circular-knitted garments especially for the upper body. : an often loose-fitting shirt that is worn by a member of a sports team as part of a team uniform and that typically has the athlete's name and number on the back.

Why do jerseys have names? ›

Having the player's name on the jersey is a way for fans to show support for their favorite player. It also allows fans to easily identify which player is which when they are watching the game.

Can you wear a jersey without a shirt? ›

Jersey Rule No. 2: You may not wear a jersey without a shirt underneath it, especially NBA jerseys. We do not want to see your rash.

Can we wear jersey in summer? ›

Drapey and flexible, jersey is one of the all-time best summer fabrics. In addition to breezy dresses and classic tunics, jersey is also a great choice for lightweight cover-ups and beach-ready sweaters.

Can jersey be worn in summer? ›

Jersey is not brushed up like flannelette, but super smooth and ideal in summer as it is a 100% natural cotton material, making it naturally absorbent and breathable.

What are the benefits of sports wear? ›

The Health Benefits of Wearing Activewear Apparel
  • Better Breathability. A good workout means working up a sweat, but all that moisture can cling to your skin and make you uncomfortable. ...
  • Protection and Support. ...
  • Enhanced Blood Flow. ...
  • Improved Confidence, Improved Performance.
Nov 15, 2021

Is jersey good for sports? ›

The stretch and absorbent nature of jersey make it a good fabric for athletic endeavors.

What are jerseys made of? ›

Nearly 100% polyester fabrics. Polyester offers a great many benefits, chiefly among them being their lightweight yet durable quality, perfect for spending large amounts of time on the soccer field. Polyester is a naturally breathable fabric, so it does a better job than other fabrics at keeping you cool.

What pants do you wear with a jersey? ›

Dark-wash jeans are always a good call, but you can even try grays or natural shades so your team's colors remain at the center of everything. A FEW JERSEYS IN THIS CATEGORY: Baltimore Ravens.

Should jerseys be tight? ›

The straps are secure enough so they don't fall off your shoulders. Your cycling jersey should fit snugly, with the cuffs fitting close enough to avoid chafing but also not digging into your arm—think tighter than a t-shirt, but less tight than a base layer.

What is the best jersey size? ›

There are no universal standards for clothing sizing

Some people like a tight-fitting jersey while others may prefer a looser fit. For example, a player with a 40” chest may prefer to wear a jersey which measures 42”; while another player with same build may feel great in a 44” jersey.

Should I hang or fold my jerseys? ›

Material: Delicate materials that are prone to wrinkling should be hung (silk, satin, lace); materials that are often starched should be hung (cotton dress shirts, etc.); slinky, stretchy materials (lycra, jersey, etc.) should be folded to keep from stretching out; most knitwear should also be folded.

Is jersey male or female? ›

The name Jersey is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means Grassy Island. Jersey, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of the UK, along with Guernsey. Both Jersey and Guernsey have given their names to types of sweater. New Jersey, U.S. State.

What jersey means shirt? ›

A jersey t-shirt is simply a shirt that is made out of jersey knitted fabric. The word jersey describes the knit of the fabric rather than its contents. The jersey fabric is a small grain single knit fabric, usually machine knit.

What is a jersey dress? ›

(dʒɜːʳzi ) Explore 'jersey' in the dictionary. countable noun. A jersey is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and your arms and does not open at the front.

What are 3 facts about jersey? ›

Jersey sits in the Bay of St Malo, 14 miles (22 kilometres) from the French coast and 85 miles (137 kilometres) south of the English coast. Jersey is the biggest of the Channel Islands. Jersey is only 5 miles (8 kilometres) long and 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) wide. Jersey has 12 parishes.

How many types of jersey are there? ›

Essentially there are a total of 5 types of jersey knits. They are as follows: single jersey, double jersey, stretch jersey, interlock jersey, and jacquard jersey. Also known as tricot, this type of fabric is woven using a single set of needles.

How can you tell if jerseys are fake? ›

Pay special attention to the numbers on the jersey, if they appear shiny, don't lay evenly flat and contain bubbling, you're looking at a fake jersey. Most fans know what their team's font looks like and this will help them spot fakes as most counterfeit jerseys use the wrong font for the team which is very noticeable.

What's another word for jerseys? ›

What is another word for jersey?
shirtblouse
polopullover
turtlenecktunic
chemisesark
sweaterjumper
2 more rows

What do the English call jerseys? ›

To describe the clothes or uniform of a sports player, kit is used in Great Britain. In American English, it is called a "uniform". The "top" or "shirt" is called a "jersey" in American English.

Can you wash a jersey alone? ›

Wash Jerseys with Other Jerseys

With jerseys, it's important you don't wash them with any other apparel. The dye in these garments — especially blue jeans — can run and cause color streaks in your jersey. You should also wash white jerseys and black jerseys by themselves separate from any other jersey colors.

Why do jersey have to be tucked? ›

The Voice of Authority: "You have to tuck in your jersey. It looks better, it shows respect for your team and your uniform, and it's just the way it's done." The Free Spirit: "Relax, dad. The world won't stop spinning if I untuck my jersey a bit, and I'll perform better, to boot.

What do you call a jersey with no sleeves? ›

Some shirts have no sleeves. We call them "tank tops," though sometimes they're called "sleeveless," though that mostly happens in womens clothing.

Is jersey warm or cool? ›

While temperatures in Jersey are mild year-round – with warm summers and cool winters – it is still a very exposed island sitting in the north Atlantic, so be prepared for storms, fog, winds and unpredictable weather.

Is jersey cool to sleep on? ›

These sheets might feel like your favorite t-shirt, but they're trapping a lot more heat than you realize. That cozy, stretchy quality that makes jersey sheets so comfortable also makes them way too warm for summer.

Do you sweat in jersey? ›

Jersey with a viscose content is lighter and stretchier than cotton jersey. It also looks smoother and shinier than the more matte and dull looking cotton fabric. Viscose is made from wood. You don't have to worry about perspiration when wearing viscose jersey as cellulose can absorb sweat just as well as cotton.

What is jersey like in winter? ›

Winter Weather

Jersey's mild weather is much like the rest of the British Isles, and in winter you can expect to experience some grey days with rain but also be blessed with blue skies and crisp, cool air.

Is jersey better than cotton? ›

Jersey bed sheets are advertised as softer and fluffier than cotton alternatives, but what many don't realize is that the texture of your bedding depends more on thread count and quality, not strictly on the type of textile.

Should I wash a jersey by itself? ›

Wash your jersey by itself whenever possible. If you put your jersey through the wash with other garments, those garments may leave lint behind that will be difficult to get off the jersey after it dries. Gentle in the washing machine. To help prevent damage, be sure to use the gentle cycle and lukewarm water.

What are the 5 reasons we wear clothes? ›

It will also cover the 5 reasons why we wear clothing: protection, adornment, identification, modesty, and status.

Why wearing good clothes is important? ›

To make a good first impression

Your appearance is often the first thing others notice about you. Dressing professionally can help form a positive impression to people you meet in the workplace. This is especially important for interviews and when meeting upper-level managers who make hiring and promotion decisions.

What is the purpose of wear? ›

Clothing is mainly used to cover our bodies, make us look more elegant and also to express where we are going. For eg. There are casual wears, party wears, official wear, sportswear etc. But there are also other reasons for us to wear clothes like protection, comfort.

Which jersey is the best in the world? ›

The 10 best jersey's in the history of the World Cup
  • World Cup 1970. Brazil. This is one of the most iconic jerseys, it was worn by perhaps the best team in the history of the sport and the best player, Pelé. ...
  • World Cup 1986. Argentina. ...
  • World Cup 1994. USA. ...
  • World Cup 1998. Croatia.
Nov 18, 2022

Who has the best jersey in sports? ›

1. New York Yankees. The New York Yankees have the most formidable, recognizable, loved and hated uniform in all of sports. From Babe Ruth to Mickey Mantle to Joe DiMaggio to Yogi Berra and on down the years to Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, it seems that only baseball royalty don the pinstripes.

Does jersey keep you warm? ›

Knit fabrics like jersey are a great option because it's soft, warm and has stretch.

What is a jersey pants? ›

Jersey cotton is a type of knitted fabric known for its soft, comfy feel and laid-back aesthetic. The textile is also notably stretchy. While traditional cotton doesn't have this flexibility, the knitting technique gives it an elastic quality, even without blending synthetic fibers like elastane or spandex.

Does jersey shrink? ›

Jersey is a low-maintenance fabric. You can machine wash it rather than have it dry-cleaned. While jersey does have a tendency to shrink, shrinkage can be avoided by washing in cold water or washing by hand, and air-drying or tumble drying on the low setting.

What is a soccer jersey called? ›

The kit is the whole uniform a soccer team wears from the jersey to the shorts down to the socks. But, ironically, the term “kit” is technically misused in most soccer circles. Really, the common usage of the word is the equivalent of the word “jersey” in American sports.

Should you wear something under a jersey? ›

Jersey Rule No. 2: You may not wear a jersey without a shirt underneath it, especially NBA jerseys. We do not want to see your rash.

Should you hang or fold jerseys? ›

Material: Delicate materials that are prone to wrinkling should be hung (silk, satin, lace); materials that are often starched should be hung (cotton dress shirts, etc.); slinky, stretchy materials (lycra, jersey, etc.) should be folded to keep from stretching out; most knitwear should also be folded.

Should a jersey be tucked in? ›

To Uni Watch's knowledge, no NBA team has ever gone untucked. The league mandates that all players keep their jerseys tucked in and in recent years has even added a silicone rubber strip to the shorts' inner waistband to help keep the jerseys in place.

What do players wear under their jerseys? ›

Are they sports bras, or are the football players actually wearing vests? The simple answer is: Yes, football players wear vests during training and games to track and measure their performance on the field. They are wearing a GPS vest that just happens to look like a sports bra.

Is it OK to wear nothing under a dress shirt? ›

Undershirts can keep ample chest hair from poking through the surface of the shirt. Without an undershirt, your dress shirts, will inevitably get deodorant stains. Although you can remove those stains with Deo-Go, it is less convenient than wearing an undershirt.

What do athletes wear under jerseys? ›

The vest that footballers wear under their jerseys (and sometimes over them when in training) is a piece of equipment which holds a GPS tracking device.

What is the best way to frame a jersey? ›

To display a sports jersey, use a shadowbox frame, which is a shallow, framed, rectangular box is usually use. Shadow boxes have a glass front that is ideal for displaying and protecting bulky items, because they provide more space between the backing and the glass than a traditional frame does.

Should a jersey be loose? ›

Your cycling jersey should fit snugly, with the cuffs fitting close enough to avoid chafing but also not digging into your arm—think tighter than a t-shirt, but less tight than a base layer.

Is it holding If you grab the jersey? ›

No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the name plate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket.

Why are shirts called jerseys? ›

Until after the Second World War, sports jerseys were made mainly of cotton or wool jersey, a soft, stretchy knit fabric. This is where the word “jersey” comes from.

What jersey colors go well together? ›

12 T-Shirt Color Combinations that Always Work
  • Red & White. This color combination is a great choice to make a design really pop. ...
  • Green & Grey. There's just something about green Ink on grey clothing. ...
  • Blue & White. ...
  • Blue & Yellow. ...
  • Maroon & White. ...
  • Blue & Grey. ...
  • Red, White & Blue. ...
  • Dark Blue & Light Blue.
Oct 20, 2022

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