Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What to Wear Tailgating: Spring Style Essentials for Football Fans

As the days get warmer and the leaves start to grow back, it’s time to think about enjoying the fresh air, good food, and a satisfying cocktail or two in the great outdoors – all in the comfort of your favorite stadium parking lot.

Yes, my champions, football season is here, and with it comes the time-honored, finely-honed craft of the tailgate party (get all your tailgating gear here). Whether it’s pro-ball or college, football or hockey; do the home team proud by winning the sartorial trophy before the game even starts (leave the painted faces to the competition). Here are all the best spring style essentials to keep you comfortable.

Uniqlo Heattech Knitted Gloves – $15
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Light enough to tuck into a pocket, warm enough for all but the bitterest temperatures, these Uniqlo tech gloves come in eight colors, and feature Uniqlo’s Heattech “biowarming” and insulating yarns. They also include touch-screen responsive finger and thumb tips, so you can easily text your location to your buddies or catch up on the latest scores.

Shop Now

Known Supply Long Sleeve T-Shirt – $36
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This super-soft Pima cotton tee stands on its own, but will also become an all-season favorite to layer under sweaters, sweatshirts and—oh, yeah—shirt jackets. Known Supply goes one further: each shirt is signed by its maker, and you can learn about the crafts-person by going to the brand’s website and entering their name. Championing fair practices and safe workplaces, wearing a Known Supply T-shirt wins one for the home team on many levels. 

Shop Now

Duckworth Snowcrest Vest – $151
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Duckworth gives the classic insulated vest a tasteful, workwear-inspired makeover. The exterior is made from American-made Helle Rambouillet wool (similar to merino) for a clean elegant finish, is lined with ripstop for durability, and is then filled with the company’s own Woolcloud insulation. The minimal styling looks great over flannel for a hearty outdoorsy feel or under a sportcoat for a sophisticated, urbane look. 

Shop Now

Life/After/Denim Shirt Jacket – $188
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Is it a shirt? Or is it a jacket? Either way, it’s one of our favorite new pieces for fall. Heavy-weight, but soft cotton twill is great over a T-shirt for the afternoon, but you’ll be glad to have this as a mid-layer under a vest or jacket when it cools down. We like the tasteful, neutral horizontal stripes of this version from Life/After/Denim.

Shop Now

Dakota Grizzly Tripp Jacket – $168
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With plenty of pockets to accommodate a flask, gloves, hand-warmers, and everything else you need to keep close at hand while tailgating, the Tripp jacket from Dakota Grizzly is a tailgaters go-to. Made from microsuedoe bench cloth, the jacket is super soft to the touch, but durable, and can hold up to the elements. With its workwear-inspired olive color and comfy plaid interior, the Tripp jacket works just as well on date night as it does on game day.

Shop Now

Patagonia Performance Straight Fit Jeans – $119
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jeans are practically required for this venue, but since we’re expecting a great performance from the home team, let’s provide a little performance of our own: this denim from outdoor purveyor Patagonia incorporates Coolmax to keep you dry, from the tailgate through to the after-party. Of course, since it’s Patagonia, the polyester mechanical stretch denim is dyed in a way to minimize energy, water use, and carbon dioxide emissions, which is good for you and good for the planet. They also feature a durable water- (or beer!) repellent finish.

Shop Now

Darn Tough Socks – $20
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Trust us on this one. Go for fine-gauge merino wool socks for long-lasting breathability and comfort. They wick away moisture to keep your feet cool. Darn Tough’s undetectable seam fusion makes for an ultra-smooth feel that’s so lightweight, you’ll forget you’re wearing socks … until you take off your shoes and knock ‘em out with this great modern fair isle pattern. 

Shop Now

Thursday Boot Company Captain Boot – $199
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Thursday’s Captain Boot, in a tasteful olive suede, walks that fine line between sport and luxury. You’ll wear ‘em all season long for work and play. They feature a sturdy Goodyear welt construction and a comfortable, shock-absorbing insole (perfect for jumping up and down at touchdowns).

Shop Now

L.L. Bean Insulated Tote – $70
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s just the thing to keep your chili warm or your beer chilly, with the added benefit of having a preppy-approved design. Inspired by the classic Bean Boat and Tote, this carrier features a coated cotton exterior, a BPA and PVC free liner and a detachable shoulder strap. And yes…it can be monogrammed. 

Shop Now

And just one more addition to the line-u[, since on a cold day at the stadium (or on the bleachers) you might be happy to have a USB-powered heated seat. A crowd-funded project, the seat features a sturdy steel frame, foam-padded construction, a beverage holder (natch), and features low, medium, and high settings of 100, 110, and 115 degrees, as well as an adjustable back. Are you ready for some football? 

If you’re not into serving an entire look for a tailgate, you can always just throw on a favorite flannel and call it good.

John Jones
John Jones is a Jersey City, New Jersey-based writer who enjoys covering design in all its forms, from fashion to…
Tissot’s T-Race MotoGP Chronograph is a watch racing fans will love
Tissot debuts new Chronograph for MotoGP anniversary
Tissot MotoGP Chronograph on model

Tissot revs up the excitement in the world of watches for men with its latest release, the T-Race MotoGP Chronograph, marking the 75th anniversary of the legendary MotoGP competition. As the official timekeeper of MotoGP for a quarter-century, Tissot brings forth a timepiece that not only pays homage to this remarkable partnership but also celebrates the adrenaline-fueled legacy of MotoGP.

Tissot T-Race MotoGP Chronograph: A 75th-anniversary celebration
In a blend of mechanical prowess and aesthetic finesse, the T-Race MotoGP Chronograph embodies the spirit of the race track with its dynamic design cues. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this watch is a true reflection of the thrill and passion that define both MotoGP and Tissot watches.

Read more
Burberry sale: Up to $550 off jackets, wallets, scarves, and more
Burberry Kensington

Gilt is hosting a huge sale on all things Burberry with extensive discounts on a little bit of everything that the designer brand has to offer. Whether you’re looking for one of the best designer wallet sales, a new jacket hoodie, or simply a new belt, you can find it here. There are over 160 different items in the Burberry sale so there isn’t room to list everything. Instead, we’ve picked out some favorites below and also provided you with the button to press to see the full sale for yourself.

What to shop for in the Burberry sale
Burberry is a hugely popular brand for all kinds of things. One of the best suit brands around, it’s also a big name in the best trench coat world. One such highlight is the classic

Read more
Brooks Brothers sale: Suits, shirts, ties, and more, from $40
Someone wearing the Brooks Brothers Herringbone Knit Sport Coat.

Suit up this spring with new dress shirts, ties, suits and blazers from Brooks Brothers. All of these items are a great way to spruce up your wardrobe with high-end and dressier options. Luckily for you, you can grab all of these types of apparel on sale at Gilt for a limited time.

Starting at $40, you can find anything you need to wear to the office, a dinner party or to a wedding reception. Brooks Brothers is a great brand to incorporate into your closet for a fresh, crisp and all-American style. Click the button below to start shopping over 400 styles that are on currently on sale.

Read more