What to Wear to a Pittsburgh Pirates Game?

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

With the area surrounding PNC 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 PNC Park or you’re a season ticket holder, attending a Pittsburgh Pirates 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 Pittsburgh Pirates game?

Below, we’re going to review what to wear to a Pittsburgh Pirates game and provide you with options to ensure you blend in perfectly with the local crowd and other Pirates fans. 

And because the Brewers wear a mix of black, yellow, and white these clothing pieces will go perfectly with many of your other outfits as well!

Looking to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates game? Find out how long the average game is before you go!

Things to do Around PNC Park

Let’s be honest, PNC Park, located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there are a plethora of options and things to do both before and after a Pirates game.

And whether you’re getting to PNC Park by foot or taxi, you’ll have plenty of options for food, drink, and entertainment.

• Pittsburgh Law Enforcement Memorial – the Pittsburgh Law Enforcement Memorial is a monument in Allegheny County that looks to honor and recognize the sacrifice of fallen officers of both the Pittsburgh Police and suburban departments.

• The Andy Warhol Museum – The Andy Warhol Museum is conveniently located near PNC Park and is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the artwork of Andy Warhol. The museum is located in an 88,000 square foot facility covering seven floors and features 900 paintings, close to 2,000 works on paper, over 1,000 published unique prints, 77 sculptures, 4,000 photographs, and over 4,350 Warhol films and videotaped works.

• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh – if you’re attending a Pittsburgh Pirates game with young kids, then we would definitely recommend checking out the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. A hands-on and interactive children’s museum, it was founded in 1983 and remains as one of the best children’s attractions in the city.

General Weather Conditions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Once you’ve found a list of things to do both before and after the Pirates game, it is important to plan your outfit.  

However, doing so requires understanding the general weather conditions and climate in Pittsburgh and near the PNC Park.

Generally, Pittsburgh has a continental climate, with very cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.

During the MLB season, and for when the Pittsburgh Pirates play at their home stadium, that is between the months of April through October, the weather generally remains within a low of 41-degrees to a high of 83-degrees. 

Of course, these conditions can fluctuate, but generally the weather in Pittsburgh can get slightly chilly during the winter months and comfortable during the summer ones.

In addition, Pittsburgh has been known to have sprinkles and flurries of rain, so again, be prepared for the possibility of rain when visiting the PNC Park.

Preparing for a Pittsburgh Pirates Game

Due to the fluctuations in weather in Pittsburgh, you should prepare yourself for both hotter and colder 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 Pittsburgh is known for its rainy days, we definitely recommend bringing along an umbrella to the game. Doing so will help keep you dry from the occasional downpour and wet conditions.

We generally prefer to bring along an all-weather umbrella, such as this elite series by BNF. Strong and durable, this umbrella really does offer some of the best protection against the elements that Pittsburgh so famously has.

Alternatively, if you’re worried about some light rain, many visitors to PNC Park will simply don a plastic, reusable raincoat, which we have done ourselves.

A Baseball Cap

One of the best, and easiest, pieces of clothing to wear to a Pittsburgh Pirates 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.

Now, and unlike many other MLB teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a wide-range and selection of available and authentic hats and caps for every occasion and style. And while we all love more choices, with so many options, it can honestly become a bit overwhelming.

However, your single best bet and option for a Pirates game is to go with the classic Pittsburgh Pirates MVP Adjustable Cap. Featuring an all-black background, it showcases the famous Pirates ‘P’ logo on the front of the cap in an elegant yellow coloring.

And while there are plenty of other options, it really is best to stick with the classic Pirates cap when attending the game as that is the one the Pirates are most famous and known for.

Pittsburgh Pirates 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 Pittsburgh Pirates game, we personally prefer long-sleeve shirts. 

Being that the Pirates play in Pittsburgh, you should likely expect cooler weather and a long-sleeve t-shirt should help to keep you warm against the cold weather and the lack of a beating sun overhead.

And again, while there are plenty of options, we found that Pirates fans generally wear solid black and yellow colors with little additional text or inscriptions on the shirt.

That’s why our favorite is the ’47 Brand Pittsburgh Pirates Long Sleeve T-Shirt. Simple with yellow coloring, this shirt showcases your fandom while not being too obnoxious or flashy and pays ode to the team’s colors and heritage.

Joggers or Athletic Pants

Interestingly enough, we typically opt to go for a pair of joggers or athletic pants when going to a Brewers game.  The reason is that while the weather may be warmer on some days, 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 Pirates gear.

Sunglasses

Lastly, if you are planning on attending a Pittsburgh Pirates 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.