The bells start before you see the stadium. Somewhere on the quad a band is warming up, the trees along the paths have gone orange and gold, and the people walking beside you are wearing three different shades of green, none of which match. On a football Saturday in South Bend, that’s completely normal.
A home game here is less a three-hour event than an all-day walk: campus in the morning, a tailgate at noon, a stadium seat in the afternoon and the long stroll back after dark. Whatever you put on at breakfast has to survive all of it.
This guide to Notre Dame game day outfits starts with the colors, because they’re more specific than most people think, then gives you seven looks for September through November and the stadium rules that decide what you can carry.
Blue and gold first, green second
Here’s the thing most fan sites skip. Notre Dame’s own athletics brand guide says the official colors are blue and gold, with white as a supporting color, and that green is an accent “to be used sparingly.” You can read it on the university’s athletics branding page.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear green. Green is all over the stands, and it’s the color most people picture. It means the outfits that look most at home here use navy as the base, a gold or green accent, and not much else. A navy coat with a green beanie reads as Notre Dame. A head-to-toe kelly green tracksuit reads as a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The other piece of local style is The Shirt. According to the official Shirt project, the tradition began as a student fundraiser in the spring of 1990, and a new design comes out each year. Wearing the current year’s Shirt is about the most South Bend thing you can do, and it layers under almost every look below.
Seven Notre Dame game day outfits
1. The green sweater and navy trousers
A chunky kelly green sweater, navy wide-leg trousers, white sneakers and a gold knit scarf. It’s polished enough for a campus walk and a nice lunch, it covers all three colors without trying too hard, and wide-leg trousers are more comfortable on a long walk than skinny jeans. Swap the sneakers for loafers if you’re doing a pregame brunch.
2. The peacoat flat lay
A navy wool peacoat, a green and navy plaid flannel, dark jeans, a gold scarf, a green beanie and cognac leather boots, with a clear stadium bag for your essentials. This is the October workhorse. The flannel handles the morning chill on its own, the peacoat goes over it when the sun drops, and the plaid works the green in without making it the main event.
3. The plaid skirt and navy sweater
A green plaid pleated skirt, a navy crewneck over a white collared shirt, black tights and loafers, with a small gold-chain clutch. It’s the cute, slightly preppy option that fits the campus architecture perfectly. Keep the clutch small: anything that isn’t clear has to be no bigger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches to get through the gate.
4. The men’s gold quarter-zip and chore coat
A gold quarter-zip fleece under an open navy chore jacket, dark jeans, brown leather boots and a navy cap. Gold is the most underused color in the stands, which makes it the easiest way to stand out while still looking right. The chore coat’s big patch pockets also save you from needing a bag at all. Our game day outfits for men guide has more combinations.
5. The Shirt with a denim jacket
This year’s Shirt, a light or mid-wash denim jacket, straight jeans and clean sneakers. It’s the September go-to: easy, current, and cool enough for an early-season afternoon when the stadium bowl holds the heat. Tie a flannel around your waist if the forecast says the night will drop. For a warm early game, swap the jeans for shorts or a denim skirt.
6. The November night game coat
A long navy wool coat, a green knit beanie, a gold and navy striped scarf and leather gloves, with a hot drink in hand. Late-season games in northern Indiana get cold fast once the sun goes down. Long coats cover the tops of your legs on the bench, which matters more than any sweater underneath. Heated apparel is permitted inside, so heated gloves or a heated vest are fair game.
7. The cozy tailgate layers
A green fleece or navy puffer, thermal leggings or lined jeans, a cream pom beanie and boots, plus a plaid blanket you can carry into the stadium afterward. This is the look for people who’ll spend more hours at the tailgate than in their seat. Dress for standing around, not walking, and choose layers you can take off without losing the color story. Our tailgate outfit ideas cover more pregame looks.
The bag and stadium rules that shape your outfit
Notre Dame runs a clear bag policy. The university’s clear bag FAQ and the official stadium info page spell out the details:
- Clear bags: plastic, vinyl or PVC, no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. One-gallon clear zip bags are also allowed.
- Clutches: up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches, with or without a strap.
- Seat cushions: 16 by 16 inches or smaller.
- Blankets: allowed, but they may be unfolded for inspection.
- Umbrellas: small collapsible ones are allowed, large and golf umbrellas aren’t.
- Bag check: there isn’t one, so a bag that’s too big goes back to the car.
Two timing rules also matter. Main gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and there’s no re-entry, so if you leave the stadium you need a new ticket to get back in. Bring everything you’ll want for the full game, layers included, when you go through the gate.
What to wear by month
September: the warmest home games. The Shirt or a light tee, denim shorts or a skirt, sneakers, and a flannel for after dark. Sunscreen matters more than layers.
October: peak fall color and the most changeable weather. Flannel, a light jacket or peacoat, jeans and boots. This is the month for outfits two and three.
November: dress for the coldest hour you’ll be outside, not the warmest. A long coat, a beanie, a scarf, gloves and insulated boots, plus a blanket. The cold weather game day outfits guide goes through the full layering system.
Notre Dame game day checklist
- Navy base with a gold or green accent
- This year’s Shirt, if you have one
- Clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a 4.5 x 6.5 inch clutch
- Walking shoes or broken-in boots
- A layer for after sunset, even in September
- Small collapsible umbrella or a poncho if rain is possible
- Blanket and heated gloves for November
- Seat cushion 16 x 16 inches or smaller
Keep building the look
Planning more than one trip this season? Our game day outfit ideas hub collects every team, weather and style guide in one place. If you’re the one hosting the lot, the tailgate essentials checklist covers everything that stays at the car, and our sports jersey outfit ideas show how to style a jersey for any temperature.
Going to Ann Arbor next? Our Michigan game day outfits explain how to dress for a stadium that bans all bags.
Questions people ask
What should I wear to a Notre Dame football game?
Navy as your base with a gold or green accent, comfortable shoes for a lot of walking, and a layer for after sunset. Carry your things in a clear bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a small clutch.
What are Notre Dame’s colors?
The official athletics colors are blue and gold, with white as a supporting color. Green is an accent color in the brand guide, which is why it shows up so often in fan outfits.
What should I wear to a Notre Dame game in November or winter?
A long wool or puffer coat, a beanie, a scarf, gloves and insulated boots, with a blanket for the bench. Heated apparel is permitted inside the stadium.
What should I wear to a September or summer Notre Dame game?
The Shirt or a light tee, shorts or a skirt, sneakers and sunscreen. Bring a light flannel or denim jacket for the walk back.
What should I wear to an October game?
Flannel or a sweater, jeans and boots, with a peacoat or light jacket you can add as the afternoon cools. It’s the month with the biggest temperature swing.
What should women wear to a Notre Dame game day?
A green sweater with navy trousers, or a plaid skirt with a navy crewneck, tights and loafers, are the most popular looks. Keep your bag clear or clutch-sized.
What should men wear to a Notre Dame game?
A navy or gold quarter-zip, dark jeans or chinos, boots and a navy cap. Add a chore coat or peacoat for October and a long coat for November.
Can I bring an umbrella to Notre Dame Stadium?
Small collapsible umbrellas are allowed as long as they don’t block anyone’s view. Large and golf umbrellas aren’t, so a poncho is the safer bet on a wet day.
Can I wear a jersey to a Notre Dame game?
Yes. Wear it on its own early in the season, or size up and layer it over a hoodie or thermal once it cools so the jersey still shows.
Images in this article are AI-generated illustrations and original graphics created by SportsFable. They show outfit ideas, not real people, teams or events.
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