Scarlet and grey is an easier palette than most. One warm, one neutral, and the neutral does half the work for you.
The catch at Ohio State isn’t the colours. It’s the bag policy, which is stricter than almost anywhere else in college football and catches out visiting fans every single week.
Start with the bag, because it changes your outfit
Most stadiums run a clear-bag policy. Ohio State doesn’t. It runs a no-bag policy, and the difference matters.
According to Ohio State’s published facilities policies, bags and purses of any size are not permitted — including clear ones. What you can bring is a small wallet, wristlet or clutch no larger than 5″ × 8″ × 1″.
That is small. Phone, cards, keys, lip balm. That’s about it.
There’s an exception for medical, dietary or childcare needs, where a bag around 14″ × 14″ × 4″ is allowed and gets checked at the gate. And there’s no bag storage at the stadium, so anything you turn up with that doesn’t comply goes back to your car.
The styling consequence: pockets suddenly matter. A jacket with proper pockets is doing real work here, not just looking good. And a wristlet on a strap beats a clutch you have to hold for four hours.
Policies change between seasons. Check Ohio State’s own page the week of the game.
Scarlet as the hero
Scarlet is a strong red and it wants space around it. Give it neutrals and it looks expensive. Pair it with too much else and it starts shouting.
The reliable version: scarlet knit or sweatshirt, grey or blue denim, white trainers or tan boots, gold jewellery.
The quieter version: grey as the main piece — a grey sweatshirt or knit — with scarlet as a scarf, beanie or bag. This one photographs beautifully and works especially well when everyone around you is in full scarlet.
Avoid: scarlet and grey in equal amounts head to toe. That’s the mascot problem. Pick a lead colour.
Columbus weather is the other constraint
September in Columbus can still be genuinely warm. By November it very much isn’t, and the wind coming into an open bowl is the part people underestimate.
September: scarlet tee or tank, denim shorts or jeans, trainers, cap. Keep it light.
October: the classic. Scarlet knit, jeans, ankle boots, denim or leather jacket for the evening.
November onwards: thermal base layer, knit, insulated coat, gloves you can use a phone through, and a beanie. Add a scarf — it’s the easiest place to put your second colour anyway.
Three outfits for the season
Warm opener. Scarlet tee, straight jeans, white trainers, gold hoops, small wristlet.
Classic October. Vintage scarlet sweatshirt, blue denim, tan ankle boots, denim jacket.
Late-season cold. Grey knit, dark denim, black boots, scarlet scarf and beanie, long insulated coat, thermal layer underneath.
Shoes
Concrete, standing, hours. White trainers in September, ankle boots with a real sole from October. Nothing brand new and nothing with a heel.
More game day guides
For the full breakdown by weather and situation — rain, tailgate-only, men’s outfits — see our complete game day outfit guide.
Heading to Baton Rouge instead? LSU game day outfits covers purple and gold, and a very different bag policy.
Staying in the Big Ten? Our Penn State game day outfits guide covers the White Out and the Beaver Stadium bag rules, and the cold weather game day guide is worth reading before any November game in Columbus.
Headed to the other side of the rivalry? Our Michigan game day outfits guide covers the Big House, which also bans every bag, clear ones included.
More from SportsFable: if this helped, you might also like our guides to Wisconsin game day outfits for Camp Randall.
Also worth a look: Nebraska game day outfits for Memorial Stadium.
Questions people ask
What bags are allowed at Ohio Stadium?
Only small wallets, wristlets or clutches up to 5″ × 8″ × 1″. Bags of any size, including clear bags, are otherwise prohibited, and there’s no bag storage at the stadium.
What do you wear to an Ohio State game?
Scarlet or grey as your lead colour with neutrals around it, layers matched to the forecast, and shoes you can stand in. Pockets matter more here than at most stadiums because of the bag rules.
How cold does it get at Ohio Stadium?
Late-season games in Columbus get properly cold, and the open bowl means wind. Thermal base layer, insulated coat, gloves and a beanie from November.
Can you wear scarlet and grey together?
Yes, and it’s easier than most team palettes because grey is a neutral. Just lead with one and keep the other supporting.
Can I bring a clear bag to Ohio Stadium?
No. Unlike most stadiums, clear bags are not permitted either. The 5″ × 8″ × 1″ limit applies regardless of material.
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