What to Wear to a Cincinnati Reds Game?

Whether you live in the Cincinnati area, the surrounding metropolitan cities, or are simply visiting from out-of-town, attending a Cincinnati Reds game can be one of the most enjoyable and exciting experiences you’ll have. 

With the area surrounding Great American Ball Park having been recently renovated, you’ll find a plethora of food and drink options to keep you busy both before and after the baseball game.

And whether it’s your first time to Great American Ball Park or you’re a season ticket holder, attending a Cincinnati Reds game can be loads of fun for the entire family.  But before you head out to the local game, you may be wondering, what exactly should I wear to a Cincinnati Reds game?

Below, we’re going to review what to wear to a Cincinnati Reds game and provide you with options to ensure you blend in perfectly with the local crowd and other Reds fans.  And because the Cincinnati Reds wear a mix of red, black, and white these clothing pieces will go perfectly with many of your other outfits as well!

Lastly, be sure to bring a baseball mitt with you when visiting the Great American Ball Park. The Great American Ball Park is one of the best hitter’s friendly ballparks in the MLB and routinely sees some of the most home runs in the MLB season.

Planning on attending a Cincinnati Reds game? Find out how long an average game is before you go!

Things to do Around Great American Ball Park

Let’s be honest, in the heart of the Cincinnati, Ohio there are a plethora of options and things to do both before and after a Reds game.  Whether you’re getting to the Great American Ball Park by foot, taxi, or the subway, you’ll have plenty of options for food, drink, and entertainment.

• Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum – the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the best places to visit while in Cincinnati. Established to pay homage to the Reds team history, the museum has a plethora of displays, photographs, and multimedia items to keep even the most avid fan interested. Adjacent to the Great American Ball Park, the museum also has a Hall of Fame section paying tribute to 81 players, managers, and executives from the team.

• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum in downtown Cincinnati that is based on the true history of the Underground Railroad. Opened in 2004, the museum aims to pay tribute to all efforts to “abolish human enslavement and secure freedom for all people”.

• Roebling Suspension Bridge – the Roebling Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky and spans the Ohio River. Built in 1866, it was the longest suspension bridge at 1,057 feet until it was overtaken by the Brooklyn Bridge. A beautiful bridge, it is definitely a must-see when in the Cincinnati area.

General Weather Conditions in Cincinnati

Once you’ve found a list of things to do both before and after the Reds game, it is important to plan your outfit.  However, doing so requires understanding the general weather conditions and climate in Cincinnati and near the Great American Ball Park.

Generally, Cincinnati, being in the mid-western portion of the country, experiences all four seasons annually.  And although the temperatures do dip into the lower 20’s between December through February, those are months that the MLB is offseason.

During the MLB season, and for when the Reds play at their home stadium, that is between the months of April through October, the weather generally remains within a low of 42-degrees to a high of 81-degrees. 

Of course, these conditions can fluctuate, but generally the weather in Cincinnati varies. Expect cold conditions during the winter months, with bouts of rain and snow, and warmer, hotter conditions during the summer months.

Preparing for a Cincinnati Reds Game

Due to the fluctuations in weather in Cincinnati, you should prepare yourself for hotter and slightly cooler conditions.  Although the temperature does drop a bit as the sunsets, with the longer summer days, you may still feel the warmth and tinge of the sun against your skin as the game starts.

As such, it is always recommended to apply sunscreen before heading out to a game and when in the sun for prolonged periods of time.  Sunscreen is one of the best forms of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. 

In addition to reducing the risk of sunburn, sunscreen can dramatically reduce your risk of skin cancer.  Statistics have shown that by the age of 70, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer.  However, you can lower your risk by using sunscreen with a minimum rating of SPF 30 or higher when you are planning on being out in the sun for prolonged periods of time.

Similarly, be sure to drink copious amounts of hydrating liquids, including water and sports drinks to help against the heat.  These drinks will also help to keep you hydrated and will ensure that you remain active and awake during the game.

However, as Cincinnati does experience some colder conditions, including rain, you should also prepare for those weather conditions.  Bringing an umbrella with you to the game can help or you may opt for a rain jacket.  Similarly, many visitors to the Great American Ball Park will don a plastic, reusable raincoat.

A Baseball Cap

One of the best, and easiest, pieces of clothing to wear to the Reds game is none other than a baseball cap.  Not only will a baseball cap help you to avoid the beating sun on your forehead and in your eyes, but most baseball caps feature the logo of the team you are rooting for.

And honestly, when it comes to choosing a baseball cap to wear to a Cincinnati Reds game, you really only have two main options. You can either opt for an all-red or an all-black cap, with both showcasing the Cincinnati Reds ‘C’ logo on the front.

And while both options look clean and modern, we personally prefer the all-red Cincinnati Reds baseball cap. With a deep red background, it is also the more commonly seen and worn baseball cap by Reds’ fans and the one that will showcase your fandom and affiliation to the team more easily.

Cincinnati Reds T-Shirt or Jersey

When it comes to upper wear, honestly the best options when going to a baseball game are to rep the team’s jerseys or a t-shirt with their logo.  Both options are easy and generally affordable and will also allow you to showcase your team fandom.

However, we personally have never been fans of wearing team jerseys due to their relative tightness around the arms.  In addition, team jerseys can be quite costly, sometimes coming to several hundreds of dollars.  Rather, we generally opt for a short or long-sleeved shirt with the team logo, name, or phrase.

When it comes to choosing a shirt to wear to the Reds game, we personally prefer long-sleeve shirts.  Again, while the weather can reach the mid 80’s, the weather in Cincinnati can, and often does, rapidly drop.  And you really don’t want to be left out in the cold and uncomfortable while the game progresses.

For women, and the shirt we tend to wear to a Cincinnati Reds game, we like to opt for the Cincinnati V-Neck T-Shirt. Simple in design and not overly obnoxious with text, the shirt is comfortable and modern looking.

For men, and the shirt that we bought for our husband, is the Majestic Cincinnati Reds Wicking Crewneck T-Shirt. Again, simple and modern is the theme we generally go for. However, what we like about this shirt is that it has moisture wicking technology embedded in the shirt, helping to ensure that sweat and moisture are wicked away and don’t remain on the shirt.

Joggers or Athletic Pants

Interestingly enough, we typically opt to go for a pair of joggers or athletic pants when going to a Reds game.  The reason is that while the weather may be warmer, at times, rain showers can occur at almost any time.

And we’re really not fans of wearing wet jeans.

However, we generally like to go for comfort over style, especially while at the ballgame.  And if the weather will be warm and hot, you don’t want to feel sweaty and uncomfortable throughout the duration of the game. 

Rather, upon confirming that the weather will remain warm and sunny, opting for shorts or pants which are a bit loose and will allow your legs to breathe and not feel enclosed is a great option.

By far our favorite joggers are from Vuori.  A bit more expensive than other options, these joggers are insanely comfortable.  In fact, you’ll feel like you’re wearing nothing at all with them on.  Vuori makes great joggers for both men and women and with a plethora of color options, you’ll be able to find the perfect ones to fit with your Reds gear. 

Alternatively, you may want to look into Lululemon joggers for the game.  Breathable and comfortable, Lululemon joggers provide sufficient space and superior materials to make a trek to the ballgame comfortable and easy.

Sunglasses

Lastly, if you are planning on attending a Cincinnati Reds game set for the middle of the day, it may be worthwhile to bring along a pair of sunglasses.  With the sun directly overhead, it may be difficult to view what is happening on the field without sunglasses.

Further, sunglasses should be able to help you avoid squinting and causing strain to your eyes.  And while you could opt for a pair of smart glasses, you really don’t have to and a simple pair should suffice for the day.   

And while there are plenty of sunglass options, we like to keep it simple and classy.  A pair of aviators always gets the job done and looks stylish in the process.