What to Wear to LSU Basketball Games

The Pete Maravich Assembly Center runs hot. Like, surprisingly hot for a winter sport. You walk in bundled up from the January chill, and twenty minutes later you're peeling off layers because 13,000 screaming fans generate serious body heat. Planning your outfit around this temperature swing is half the battle of looking cute courtside.

Layers You Can Actually Remove Gracefully

The key to PMAC comfort is wearing something complete underneath your outer layer—not just throwing a jacket over a tank top you'd never wear alone. Start with a fitted purple or gold top that looks intentional, something you'd be happy photographed in when you're holding that post-game victory drink at Walk-On's.

A cropped cardigan or lightweight zip-up works better than a heavy pullover hoodie here. You can tie it around your shoulders or stuff it in your bag without creating a bulky mess under your seat. Those stadium seats are already cramped enough without wrestling a puffer jacket for four quarters.

For Winter 2026, the oversized vintage-style LSU tees are everywhere, but they photograph better than they function at actual games. If you love that look, size down from what influencers are wearing and french tuck the front. Otherwise you'll spend the whole game adjusting fabric and looking like you're swimming in cotton.

Purple and Gold Without Looking Like a Costume

Here's where game day dressing gets tricky: you want to show team spirit without looking like you're wearing a Halloween costume or a walking merchandise display from the Tiger bookstore.

The most polished approach? Pick one LSU color and let it dominate while the other plays backup. A silk gold blouse with subtle purple earrings reads intentional. Purple jeans (yes, they exist and they're stunning) with a cream sweater and gold jewelry feels fashion-forward. Head-to-toe purple AND gold AND tiger stripes AND "GEAUX TIGERS" across your chest? That's a lot of visual noise.

White is your secret weapon here. A crisp white top with purple bottoms and gold accessories gives your eyes somewhere to rest. Same with black—it grounds those bold LSU colors and makes your outfit look like something you'd wear to dinner after, not something you'd only wear inside the arena.

What Actually Works in Those Seats

PMAC seating is steep and close together. You're going to be standing, sitting, jumping up, squeezing past people for concessions, and climbing stairs. This is not the venue for your cutest but most impractical shoes.

White sneakers are the unofficial uniform for good reason—they go with everything, they're comfortable for walking from the parking lot, and they look fresh in photos. Platform sneakers give you a little height boost without the instability of heels, which matters when you're navigating those steep arena stairs after a few celebratory drinks.

Skip anything with a tricky hemline. Bodycon mini skirts ride up when you sit in those flip-down seats. Maxi skirts get stepped on by the row behind you. The sweet spot? Straight-leg or wide-leg pants that hit right at your ankle, or a midi skirt with some structure to it.

Crossbody bags only. You need your hands free for clapping, holding drinks, and taking photos of that buzzer-beater. A cute small crossbody in gold or purple pulls double duty as team spirit and functional accessory. Leave the tote at home—there's nowhere to put it that won't end up on a sticky floor or kicked under seats.

The Jewelry Question

Game day jewelry should pass two tests: can you jump up and down without it flying off or smacking you in the face, and will it show up in photos from twenty feet away?

Statement earrings in purple, gold, or tiger print hit that sweet spot of visible team spirit without wearing an actual jersey. Layered gold necklaces photograph beautifully against a purple neckline. Skip the delicate pieces you have to worry about—this is a contact sport environment even in the stands.

If you're sitting in the lower sections where cameras might catch you, a little extra sparkle reads as put-together rather than overdone. Those big screens don't pick up subtle details, so go bolder than you normally would.

Temperature Strategy for Tip-Off Through Final Buzzer

Arrive in your comfortable outer layer because that walk from the parking lot in Baton Rouge winter isn't warm. Wear it through the first few minutes while the arena fills. By the time the starting lineup gets announced and everyone's on their feet, you'll be ready to shed that layer and won't look back.

Bring a light scarf that can stuff into your bag—not for warmth, but because the AC directly overhead in certain sections is aggressive once you've already warmed up from the crowd energy. It's a weird temperature roller coaster, and having one small adjustable layer prevents that too-hot-then-too-cold spiral.

For the drive home, you'll want that outer layer accessible. Post-game, the arena clears fast and that parking lot wind hits different after you've been sweating in a packed crowd.

The real test of a good game day outfit? You should feel just as confident walking into Ruffino's after a win as you did walking into the PMAC. Dress for the whole night, not just the game.