Are you a soccer, rugby, rugby league, AFL mum?
This species of mums could best be described as Winter Weekend Sports Warriors.
Due to their offspring’s penchant for all things involving a ball of some description, they will leave the comfortable and cosy surrounds of their heated home to venture out and on the sidelines watching cheering on their son or daughter.
I know this because I am one of these warriors.
OK, you got me … I have been known to miss the odd game or two in favour of a weekend smooch around the house … But over the years I have realised that a WWSW needs particular wardrobe items for this weekly challenge.
Now before I get down to the 5 things that should be in every WWSW wardrobe, let me get the puffer vest off my chest.
OK, you got me again. I do not own one. Never will. They make me, well, puffy. And I think my arms deserve to be warm too.
You MAY be an out and proud puffer owner. I say each to their own.
Winter Weekend Sports Warriors essentials
- Skinny leg jeans or jeggings. You want a style that can easily tuck into your boots. The boots will keep the wet grass from your pants.
- Long boots or even gumboots. Winter sport is synonymous with wet weather. You will need either waterproofed boots or even gumboots (rugby players play in any weather) to keep your feet cold and dry. You canvas Converse sneakers will not cut it. As I found out early in my first season as a WWSW.
- Waterproof anorak. It will mostly be cold – particularly if you are mum of a early primary school-aged child – because you’ll be at the field just after sun up. Sporting fields are also famous for being located in the most wind-exposed locations. Hello icy prevailing south westerly. Something waterproof is advisable because the day you don’t have a waterproof jacket on will be the day that your darling son or daughter is playing on a field about 7.5km from the clubhouse.
- Scarf. Keep your neck warm and look good. What’s not to love?!
- Hat. Ditto above. If live somewhere where the winter sun can still bite – so you might like to look for a winter hat with a brim or peak.
Have I left anything off the list? What to you wear on a WWSW day?
Comments 42
definately a beanie.
I have been a sporting mum for the last 15 years and it still surprises me on the fashion on the side of the fields. Lately I have had to be at a field from 12pm to 7pm and generally too far from home so it’s all about layering. I posted about it as well, what do you think?
http://www.katerinaa.com/2012/05/20/fashion-for-sport-mums-without-the-ugg-boots/
Definitely about the layers – unless you live down south where it will be cold all day. Love your picks for the sideline!
Nicki with all the sports you mention the windswept netball courts are the coldest places they make the soccer pitches and rugby fields look toasty. I have longes for the old balaclava that my dad used to wear while watching on the reclaimed swamp my daughter used to play on. Have to say now she is 20 I miss it!
Oh that’s extreme! And I get that you now miss it!
In an extremely rookie move I ruined a pair of flats last year at wet Saturday sport .. This year gumboots are my footwear of choice along with all on your list! Oh, include very large umbrella …
ahhh, that’s not good … yep, the big golf umbrella is a must!
Cords are good but my legs still get cold, so I layer them over a pair of Kathmandu altica thermal pants – toasty!
Oh that’s a cold sports sideline! Thanks for the tip!
I bought a fab rain/wind proof jacket from lululemon this winter for weekend sports. It is awesome and will hopefully last a few good years.
Oh, sounds perfect – you are good at scouting out wardrobe lasters!
My girls are basketballers (the one where you dribble the ball, not netball). I’m lucky that the games are always indoors, but their home court happens to be a very drafty and cold venue in the Blue Mountains…and they have evening games there twice a week. The only thing from your list I wouldn’t need are the waterproof boots, but everything else I can certainly relate to…just add thermals as the innermost layer 😉
I was a basketballer and yes, those venues can be very drafty – like big sheds!
Very frosty starts here in Canberra with soccer at 8.30am! I got some great faux fur lined leather boots (warm like uggs but look smarter) from endless.com – numb toes are such an issue!! Jacket, beanie, scarf and gloves complete the essentials.
Good tips from the nation’s capital … that’s a cold Saturday start!
I’m yet to find an attractive beanie so perhaps you could do a series on winter hats (not beanies) that actually keep your head warm AND look ok!
Fortunately I have two daughters who do their activities after school so I don’t have the weekend morning sport day. I do have a child who competes in interschool skiing…… but that’s a whole extra story on warm clothes and layers (ski gear that is actually used for skiing rather than apres just doesn’t look trendy or cool).
Boots – we migrate to winter “snow boots” as it gets colder. Warm and toasty toes that are dry as well. Perfect.
Ooh, now interschool skiing, that is a whole other level of sideline sports watching! The hat thing is difficult. There are a lot of felt ones around this season (quickly disappearing from stores) but I don’t think they’d be warm enough for you?
I go for layers – singlet, long shirt, cardi then jacket. Always a scarf & instead of a hat something with a hood. Jeans are essential!!! As are gloves some mornings. The things we do for love hey ?!
The things we do … and sometimes I sleep in instead 🙂
NO no puffers for me, I do like my faux fur vest though,what are your thoughts on them??mine is a lovely browny taupe colour but I haven’t worn it many times yet I got it last winter,and wore it to a special birthday party and it was freezing but it kept me snug,Though I got a few snide comments from men asking me “how many animals did I kill”until I told them it wasn’t real .I used to be a soccer Mum ,well still am on the odd occasion when I feel like going,My son and daughter and hubby all play,and I know it can be so cold and we have games right on the blue mountains and they really give you the chills especially when you have to drive for an hour watch for 2 and then the sun is setting it’s freezing ,I would like to add a few things to your list,a parka in the car a,thermos of coffee ,and a blanket and an umbrella,I’m watching mine this weekend as long as it’s not too cold or raining,Enjoy !!
I’m actually not a fan for the same reason as puffers, Lisa … they make me look huge, kind of like Chewbacca 🙂 They don’t have same effect on all people so I’m sure your’s looks great!
Maybe I will have to post a pic on Instagram and get a poll to make sure I don’t look like a chewbacca too!!!
I’m sure you wouldn’t!!!
Love the anorack in the above picture – where is it from?
The Iconic, Maree … there’s a link at no.3
I feel that wool layers are essential ( hello Glassons Merino collection in every colour) and I always need my coat to cover my bum, I am pretty miserable with a cold derriere.
Aren’t we all Flickster? And if my toes and my derriere are cold I’m extremely miserable!
With 3 boys this is just how my weekend goes (rugby on Saturday, soccer on Sunday) and that’s what I look like on the sidelines. I usually have a pair of gloves stashed in my pocket for when I don’t have a hot coffee to warm my hands (I’m down in Melbourne). Layers are essential just in case the sun decides to shine or I overheat with all the jumping up and down cheering my boys on.
I bought a fabulous merino wool baggy (but stylish) funnel neck top from the ark at the start of the winter sport season and that with skinny jeans and long boots has become my staple sidelines outfit. (You should check out the ark next time you are in Melbourne they do great stuff).
I am a knitter so I have lots of handmade hats to show off too!!
I love that you have a bunch of handmade hats to wear – clever Jools! And yes, I think I’d like the Ark very much – thanks for the tip-off!
Gloves, especially for chilly Melb
Definitely!
The location of the closest coffee shop or mobile van is crucial!
That it is CeeBee. Our canteen also does a mean bacon and egg sandwich!
All of the above… Except the hat… Do lots of layering here in Qld. As you know. It’s freezing when we get there, by the time we leave it’s starting to warm up, and traing days are the reverse.
Love that anorak tho….
So much layering under the jacket, Vicky! No-one believes us when we say it can go from 0-20 in a few hours!
I was advised a long time ago not to do weekend sport, try to get in all extra curricular activities in during the week. Team sports would not suit us with the other commitments we have so no weekend sport for us, only the occassional tripping around for whipcracking and then we wait until the grass is dry! So it has usually warmed up a bit by then. The outfit above is pretty much my spotlighting garb! – I guess a nightime sport! only mine is definately not as modern and stylish! plus I have gloves (for the hand with the spotlight out the window) and a big puffy down jacket, rated to minus 9 degrees, so the chill won’t ever get moi! Definately a michelan man look!
I’m desperately looking for gloves that have a peel back section for the tips of the fingers and thumbs, so I can still use the Iphone (hello instagram, Twitter, facebook etc.), do you know where I could get some online or by phone?
Hi Mummaducka! I’m in the same boat – minus the kids – and have a suggestion regarding the gloves. BCF (Boating Camping and Fishing) have some great convertible gloves, not very fashionable but they keep my hands so toasty & warm! Go to BCF online, click clothing, then headwear and accessories, then men’s gloves. Perfect for spotlighting 🙂 I bought mine for when I’m out on the quaddie!!
Thanks Kate! I think I need these too!
I like to wear cords rather than jeans…so much warmer. I’ve got a nice soft, straight leg pair that go into my boots. Otherwise that outfit is spot on. Especially for training – an hour and a half every week of chasing a toddler around a freezing, dark, windy oval. Lucky we over them…
Love, not over. 🙂
Yes, Karen … it’s dedication. And good tip for the cords. I’m sure I’m going to get some great tips from those who live where it’s colder than here!