Rinkside runway | Hockey wife Noureen DeWulf dishes on what to wear to a Canucks game (2024)

Noureen DeWulf knowsthere’s only one way to dress when attending a Vancouver Canucks game: comfortable and warm.

“Being chic, by being comfortable and warm,” she explains of her game attire.“The games are long and cold.”

But the actress and mom didn’t always know theins and outs ofrinkside fashion. In fact, former co-star of Anger Managementsays it wasn’t until she began dating her now-husband,goalie Ryan Miller, that she learned the unspoken rules ofhockey-game style. And DeWulf says she gleanedthatsartorial lesson the hard way.

Article content

Article content

“Early in my relationship with Ryan, I decided I would surprise him by attending the gold medal game at the Vancouver Olympics,” she explains. “My plan was to fly to Vancouver, watch the game and then let him know I was at the game after it was over — so as not to distract him.”

DeWulf says she decided to wear a dress for the trip, and somewhere in the midst of thethree-hour flight from Los Angeles, the trip to Rogers Arena, sitting through the Gold Medal game — she realized the seeming innocuous dress was a very bad idea.

“In my non-sports mind, I thought it would be appropriate,” she says.“Not only was I the only lady in Rogers Arena wearing a dress, I was potentially the only spectator at the Winter Olympics in a dress.”

DeWulf says she further lost style points for failing to identify herself as a supporter of Miller’s team — USA— and scrambled to acquire suitable gear during the game to rectify her mistake.

For most people, DeWulf’s “sheer naiveté” would have been easily overlooked — she was an excited girlfriend going to see her hockey-playing beaucompete in one of the biggest games of his career, after all. But as a Hollywoodactress, DeWulf had a sinking feeling heroffending outfit would end uponline. And she was right.

Article content

Article content

“I later saw a picture of myself online from that night. I had ditched my heeled boots, put on sneakers and was wearing a team USA sweatshirt over my dress,” she says of the piecemealensemble. “Now, I have been known to stand out for my fashion, but that wasn’t particularly the look I was going for that morning when I left my home.”

Thankfully, DeWulf’sdress disaster didn’t cost her any points with Miller and his teammates.

“Maybe it was because it was my birthday and he didn’t want to be mean, but thankfully, despite my attire, Ryan still introduced me as his girlfriend to his teammates,” she recalls.

It’s safe to say, DeWulf learned her lesson about appropriate attire for the rink.

“Dresses just don’t work at hockey games,” she summarizes. Instead, DeWulf, who now lives in Vancouver, can be spotted at the arena wearing chic and casual layers.

“I have found for most people that attend a lot of hockey games, myself included, that fitted jeans, a light sweater and a leather jacket is a winning combo,” she says. “Layers for when your nerves kick in.”

A Canucks T-shirt or hoodie with fitted jeans and a jacket is another fail-safe look, she says. Just watch how big the jacket is.

Article content

“Nothing too puffy or with a too big a hood,” she says. “The people behind you can and will drop ketchup on you.To the two guys sitting behind me last season, you owe me for dry cleaning.”

While DeWulf isn’t one to wear a Miller jersey while watching her husband play — she joked she may step out in one once or twice per season — she’s certainly not against showing your team spirit with one of the oversized styles.

“If your jersey game is strong, then a jersey, leggings and tall flat boots is a great way to go,” she says.

DeWulf recommends fans steer clear of showing too much skin at games, not only because it’s cold.

“You never really want to sport bare legs or arms, there’s just something garish about seeing a lot of flesh at a hockey game,” she says. Instead, she recommends donning a sport-centric conversation starter.

“If you’re just dying to stand out, you’re very single or arejust lonely and want to chat with randoms, wear an obscure jersey,” she says.“Canadian people love to start conversations about old players and what they did —or did not do—for their cityor team.”

As for shoes, DeWulf recommends avoiding “super-high heels” and stepping out in something comfortablethat you can walk in. And the star has a few final tips for style fans relating to accessories.

Article content

“I also love toques and baseball caps with the team logo,” she says.“Or the Canucks winter hats with the big poof at the top, you know, the obnoxious ones. Just for when we are playing, like, Calgary or Edmonton. —It’s for the love of the game!”

What to wear to a hockey game

Stuck on what to wear to a hockey game?

Take the advice of actress and hockey wife Noureen DeWulf by cheering for your favourite team in an ensemble that’s stylish, comfortable and warm.

Here are two easy looks to copy before the Vancouver Canucks opener on Saturday versus the Calgary Flames — and on through the season. Go Canucks, go.

Outfit 1: Sportswear chic

Get dressed up without looking too fancy with casual pants, eye-catching boots and a chic topper such as a wool cape.

Classic cut

This simple Canucks logo T-shirt does a little good thanks to its textile makeup of 50 per cent recycled plastic fibres and 50 per cent organic cotton.

Canucks Team Store | $24.99

Cape town

This chic cape easily dresses up a simple tee. Wear it to the game and then toss it over virtually every outfit this fall for a chic alternative to a wool coat.

Article content

Noelasmar.com | $448 US

White out

White jeans for a hockey game? Believe it. These skinny jeans from NYDJ feature “Spotless Reputation” stain-repellent technology to keep your white pants looking pristine — even in the face of beer spills and ketchup drops.

Nordstrom; NYDJ.ca | $168

Soft touch

Velvet is the textile of the season. And when you pair the plush fabric with an on-trend ankle boot, it pretty much means these MICHAELMichael Kors “Ursula” boots are the equivalent of a style goal.

Michael Kors; Michaelkors.ca | $268

Outfit 2: Cool and casual

If you’re looking for a more dressed-down approach to your game outfit, consider pairing a team tee or sweatshirt with an all-purpose piece like a flannel button-up or denim jacket. Style note: skip any type of heel with this look as it will appear very out of place. Opt instead for a flat boot or sneaker.

Jersey remix

This soft jersey for women with attached fleece hood is a streamlined take on the classic team jersey.

Canucks Team Store | $79.99

Jean jewel

A denim jacket is the perfect pairing for Canucks gear. ThisTalulaEdo is the perfect hue to wear with other denim pieces. Hello, Canadian Tuxedo.

Aritzia | $98

Deep blue

Indigo skinny jeans are one of the most flattering denim cuts, so feel free to indulge in that mid-game beer and hotdog. And mini doughnuts. And maybe another beer. No judgment.

RW&CO. | $79.90

Style step

Nothing says style star like a pair of crisp whitesneakers. The Adidas Miss Stan Smithshoes are minimalist without being boring — and that swatch of green colour on the tongue and heel coincidentally provides a touch of added team spirit, too.

Hudson’s Bay | $90

Article content