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On Sunday, February 13th, the Los Angeles Rams will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl LVI. And simultaneously, in bars and living rooms across America, avid football fans and sports loathers alike will gather — be it for the game, the greasy food, the star-studded halftime show (this year featuring Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and more), or funny commercials. But no matter why or how you'll be partaking in this year's festivities, or which team you'll be rooting for, the day's first dilemma is always the same: what to wear to for the main event.
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Super Bowl outfits truly run the gamut. If your team made the finals, your look will probably involve either your favorite player's jersey or some form of merch. If your team's not one of the headliners, you could choose a side and plan around their color palette (or, if you're bitter, stay neutral). Non-NFL fanatics just coming for the company and snacks have it the easiest; with no strings attached (save for a friendly wager or two), you can wear pretty much anything and everything to a Super Bowl party — loungewear, denim, funky prints, or a dress. It's all fair game.
Still, if you want tips on how to score a touchdown of a Super Bowl outfit, we've got you covered. Below, fashion experts weigh in with their secrets to styling a winning ensemble for the big game.
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Comfort is Key
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Celebrity stylist, Mickey Freeman tells InStyle that when picking out your Super Bowl outfit, there are two key pillars to keep top of mind: comfort and individuality. To check off the cozy box, Freeman suggests leaning into boho-chic and streetwear styles. Your individuality will shine through classic pieces with an interesting twist. Think cropped varsity jackets and vintage team t-shirts, denim fringed shorts, and your favorite team's logo socks with sandals, Freeman says.
Denim on Denim
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Canadian tuxedo, anyone? "Denim on denim will be a hit [for Super Bowl 2022]," Freeman assures us. "Try a denim long-sleeve button-up shirt or a denim jacket with denim shorts along with a cowboy hat and pair of cowboy boots!"
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Animal Print
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Animal print made our list of 90s fashion trends that came back for fall 2021, but according to Freeman, they're not going anywhere in 2022. This is especially true for the Super Bowl, given that both of the competing teams have animal mascots. For Bengal fans, Freeman envisions a head-to-toe tiger print look "comprised of sumptuous-looking silks and synthetic fabrics that flow across the body creating a relaxed silhouette."
Sporty Chic
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NY-based fashion stylist, Melina Kemph describes herself as "all things sports-obsessed" and claims the Super Bowl is essentially her Golden Globes. "I'm watching the game as closely as the commercials and halftime performance(s)," she says, explaining that, because of this, her outfit must be as comfortable as it is colorful, with sneakers being her starting point. "I'd revisit my Isabel Marant Bekett sneakers, but these R13 platform sneakers feel appropriate considering NY's current weather and street conditions. The rest of the look is all about my favorite lived-in pieces...distressed 501 [jeans from Levi's], one of Holly Jovenall's cozy vintage T-shirts, my new favorite upcycled Proche Studios woolen jacket, and my take on a baseball hat, because #sports."
Whatever's In Your Wardrobe
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Consider this a friendly PSA from celebrity stylist Madison Guest to you: you don't need to buy a brand new outfit for your Super Bowl party, especially if you don't actually care about the sport. "I usually choose to root for whatever team goes better with my existing wardrobe," Guest tells InStyle, and this year, she's between teams. If she decides to go with the Bengals squad, "I'll be wearing an oversized tiger-print sweater, with split hem leggings. That way I can feel stylish while spending the day on the sofa eating all the good game day food," Guest says. However, Guest admits she's also a sucker for a monochromatic sweatsuit "a la Hailey Bieber," so she might end up donning the yellow number she has lying around in honor of the Rams. "It's perfectly comfortable yet feels of the moment."
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A Graphic Tee
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Celebrity stylist, Soneca GuadaraI considers herself a "traditionalist" when it comes to her Super Bowl outfit. "I like to dress up like I am attending an actual football game," she says. "It's all about showing off my sense of style but also letting everyone know I am a football fan!"
Her go-to fit? A graphic tee that either represents one of the competing teams, her favorite team regardless of who's playing, or anything Super Bowl-related, like a T-shirt that says something like "Game On!"
"I will either pair [my T-shirt] with some cute leggings or a pair of cropped ripped denim jeans and a pair of slip-on sneakers for added comfort," says Guadara. "Not only will I look stylish but I'll feel cozy and comfortable, especially eating all those Super Bowl snacks!"
Stay Comfy in a Sweater Dress
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According to Maddison Chirumbolo, Express's women's styling coordinator, for anyone who wants to feel comfortable and look stylish, a sweater dress (like this one, here) will be your MVP. Chirumbolo suggests adding a wool-blend coat, knee-high boots, and super soft accessories to elevate the look. Of course, she adds, you'll want to swap in your team's beanie and gloves "for a fun fit."
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Sport Some DIY
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If nothing in your closet is standing out as-is, Emma Trask, Carrie Underwood's current stylist and owner of The Chrysalis Lab, suggests exploring your artistic side by upcycling a vintage tee or jersey. "For one of my Chrysalis Lab clients, I am reworking an oversized Rams tee she had into a romper. I typically add interesting trim and found jewelry pieces, rhinestone bling detailing to enhance the graphics, with fringe and cutouts to completely transform the tee," she tells InStyle. You can also crop an oversized jersey or tee, Trask adds, pairing it with baggy jeans or pants and accessories that match the team colors.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
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Super Bowl Outfits
When it comes to choosing an outfit for the Super Bowl, there are various options depending on your preferences and team affiliations. Here are some ideas mentioned in the article:
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Comfort and Individuality: Celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman suggests prioritizing comfort and individuality when selecting a Super Bowl outfit. Boho-chic and streetwear styles are recommended for a cozy and unique look. Classic pieces with interesting twists, such as cropped varsity jackets, vintage team t-shirts, denim fringed shorts, and team logo socks with sandals, can help showcase your individuality.
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Denim on Denim: Freeman suggests that denim on denim can be a hit for Super Bowl outfits. You can try pairing a denim long-sleeve button-up shirt or a denim jacket with denim shorts. Adding a cowboy hat and a pair of cowboy boots can complete the look.
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Animal Print: Animal print is mentioned as a trend that is not going anywhere in 2022, especially for the Super Bowl. Given that both of the competing teams have animal mascots, fashion experts suggest embracing head-to-toe tiger print looks for Bengal fans. These looks can be created using sumptuous-looking silks and synthetic fabrics that flow across the body, creating a relaxed silhouette .
-
Sporty Chic: NY-based fashion stylist Melina Kemph describes herself as "all things sports-obsessed" and suggests that her Super Bowl outfit must be comfortable and colorful. She starts with sneakers and builds the rest of her look around her favorite lived-in pieces, such as distressed jeans, cozy vintage t-shirts, and a woolen jacket. She also mentions her take on a baseball hat to complete the sporty look.
-
Whatever's In Your Wardrobe: Celebrity stylist Madison Guest suggests that you don't need to buy a brand new outfit for your Super Bowl party, especially if you don't actually care about the sport. You can choose to root for a team that goes better with your existing wardrobe. Guest mentions wearing an oversized tiger-print sweater with split hem leggings if she decides to go with the Bengals squad. Alternatively, she might opt for a monochromatic sweatsuit for comfort and style.
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Graphic Tee: Celebrity stylist Soneca Guadara suggests dressing up like you are attending an actual football game. She recommends wearing a graphic tee that represents one of the competing teams, your favorite team, or anything Super Bowl-related. You can pair the tee with leggings or cropped ripped denim jeans and slip-on sneakers for added comfort .
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Sweater Dress: Maddison Chirumbolo, Express's women's styling coordinator, suggests that a sweater dress can be a comfortable and stylish option for the Super Bowl. You can elevate the look by adding a wool-blend coat, knee-high boots, and super soft accessories. Don't forget to incorporate your team's beanie and gloves for a fun fit.
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DIY: If nothing in your closet stands out, you can explore your artistic side by upcycling a vintage tee or jersey. Emma Trask, a stylist, suggests reworking an oversized Rams tee into a romper by adding interesting trim, jewelry pieces, rhinestone bling detailing, fringe, and cutouts. You can also crop an oversized jersey or tee and pair it with baggy jeans or pants and accessories that match the team colors .
These are just a few ideas mentioned in the article. Ultimately, the choice of outfit depends on your personal style, team affiliations, and comfort preferences. Feel free to get creative and have fun with your Super Bowl outfit!
