What to Wear to a Washington Nationals Game?
Whether you live in the Washington D.C. area, the surrounding metropolitan cities, or are simply visiting from out-of-town, attending a Washington Nationals game can be one of the most enjoyable and exciting experiences you’ll have.
With the area surrounding Nationals 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 Nationals Park or you’re a season ticket holder, attending a Washington Nationals 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 Washington Nationals game?
Below, we’re going to review what to wear to a Washington Nationals game and provide you with options to ensure you blend in perfectly with the local crowd and other Nationals’ fans.
And because the Nationals wear a mix of white, red, navy blue, and gold, these clothing pieces will go perfectly with many of your other outfits as well!
Planning on attending a Nationals game? Find out the average length of a Nationals game before you go!
Things to do Around Nationals Park
Let’s be honest, Nationals Park, alongside the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C, has a plethora of options and things to do both before and after a Washington Nationals game.
And whether you’re getting to Nationals Park by foot, taxi, or the subway, you’ll have plenty of options for food, drink, and entertainment.
- The Bullpen – a mere few steps away from Nationals Park, The Bullpen is the original home base for Nationals fans. With prime real estate, The Bullpen is one of the most sought-after attractions for thousands of fans before, during, and after a game. Stop in for live music, food trucks, and cold drinks with free admission and celebrate with other Nationals fans, win-or-lose.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – if you’re going to be in the Washington D.C. area, a stop to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a must. Located on the National Mall, it has free admission and is open 364 days a year. With over 7.1 million visitors, it is the eleventh most visited museum in the world and has a collection of over 145 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human remains and cultural artifacts.
- Library of Congress – sticking with the D.C. theme, visiting the Library of Congress is another must-do. A research library that serves as the official library of the United States Congress and the de facto national library of the United States, the Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States and is one of the largest libraries in the world.
- The Salt Line – The Salt Line is one of our favorite restaurants in D.C. and a must-stop every time we’re in the area. With a riverside patio, you’ll be able to indulge in New England favorites and Chesapeake dishes at this nautical seafood house.
General Weather Conditions in Washington D.C.
Once you’ve found a list of things to do both before and after the Nationals game, it is important to plan your outfit.
However, doing so requires understanding the general weather conditions and climate in Washington D.C. and near Nationals Park.
Generally, Washington D.C., being in the midway portion of the eastern coast, has a semi-continental climate. With cold winters and hot and muggy summers, the temperature can vary widely depending on the season. However, many people consider the more moderate temperatures of spring and fall to be the best.
During the MLB season, and for when the Washington Nationals play at their home stadium, that is between the months of April through October, the weather generally remains within a low of 44-degrees to a high of 89-degrees. Of course, these conditions can fluctuate, but generally the weather in Washington D.C. can get chilly during the winter months and hot and humid during the summer ones.
Preparing for a Washington Nationals Game
Due to the fluctuations in weather in Washington D.C., you should prepare yourself for 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 Washington D.C. does experience extreme cold conditions, including rain and snow, 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 Nationals Park will 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 Washington Nationals 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.
Our favorite Nationals cap, and perhaps the most classic one, is none other than the ’47 MLB Mens MVP Adjustable Cap. Simple in design, the cap is all-red with a white ‘W’ logo on the front.
And while it may be simple, it’s a classic design that simply cannot be beat.
However, if you’re looking for something a bit more modern, we recently came across the ’47 MLB Confetti Clean Up Adjustable Hat.
Now let me tell you, this cap is nothing close to ordinary. And if you’re looking to stand out and show your Nationals’ pride, then it is definitely the hat for you.
Featuring a navy blue background with the classic Nationals ‘W’ logo on the front, it features a set of red and white stars across the entirety of the hat, making it a cute and fashionably piece that would go perfect with your outfit.
Seriously, our description doesn’t do the hat justice and we may just have to purchase one for ourselves to show it off.
Washington Nationals 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 Washington Nationals game, we personally prefer long-sleeve shirts.
Again, while the weather can reach the mid 80’s, the weather in Washington D.C. can rapidly drop. And you really don’t want to be left out in the cold and uncomfortable while the game progresses.
And since the weather has been known to drop rapidly and quickly in D.C., we highly suggest bringing along a light jacket or sweater to the game for those late-night games.
That’s why we really love the Nike Women’s Washington Nationals 3/4-Sleeve T-Shirt. Not too long nor too short, the shirt provides adequate coverage for colder or warmer days.
However, if you are going to the park in the middle of winter, we highly advise bringing along a sweater. If you want to rep a Nationals’ one, we suggest this Nike sweater.
Made of 100% polyester, the Nike therma fabric really helps to manage your body’s natural heat to keep you warm and cozy against the elements.
Joggers or Athletic Pants
Interestingly enough, we typically opt to go for a pair of joggers or athletic pants when going to a Nationals 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 Nationals gear.
Sunglasses
Lastly, if you are planning on attending a Washington Nationals 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.