If you’re reading this then it’s likely you’ve got an exciting date in the diary. Or at least you’re planning one. A day out watching the rugby at Twickenham. If so, then it’s best to make sure you’re well prepared, and dressed both appropriately and practically, so that you get the most out of your day.
You should wear comfortable, warm clothes that will keep you dry; but that are lightweight enough to take off and carry with you, should you get too warm. Twickenham stadium is open to the elements and in general rugby is played there during the colder months of the year. As such it does get cold.
In this article I’m going to touch on the stadium environment and how that affects your choice of clothing. I’m also going to cover the different types of clothing that could be good to wear, or at least have on your person on the day.
What To Wear To Twickenham Rugby.
In short, it’s just not a warm environment at Twickenham, and the environment is weather dependant. You’re also likely to be sitting still for long periods of time (cold inducing), albeit with intermittent trips to the bar, a food station or to find a toilet.
The floors in the stadium are concrete and the seats plastic. So if the weather is cold, the ground that your feet are on will feel cold and the seat that your bum is on will feel cold!
While we’re on the seats topic, I’d encourage you to have a read of this article I wrote, which is a detailed guide to the best seats at Twickenham.
Of course if you’ve the luxury of a hospitality box for the day, then you can dip in and out of it during the game and at half time (I wrote this article on hospitality boxes in stadiums, in case you want to know more about them and what to expect if you’re going to one soon). But you’ll still most likely be sitting outside on the box’s balcony, in your reserved stadium seats to watch the actual match.
Taking the above into account, the simplest advice is to dress warm!
Is There A Dress Code At Twickenham?
There is no dress code for watching the rugby at Twickenham, just focus on wearing what you feel the most comfortable in. At least that’s the case if you have a standard ticket. If you’re a guest in a corporate box or attending a hospitality event then you would be advised to dress smart casual.
I’ve also written this post on what to wear to a rugby hospitality event, which will give you all the guidance you need if you’ve got hospitality tickets.
Make Sure You Dress Practically & Pack For Different Eventualities.
Like most rugby stadiums, Twickenham is an open stadium. Although most of the stands are covered, there is no roof over the pitch. As such, it is susceptible to wind chill. If it’s raining and there’s wind on the day that you happen to be there, it will feel damp and cold.
If you’re situated in any of the lower tiers, especially from row 13 and on, towards the pitch (I believe the roof ends at row 13), then you will open to the elements. In other words, if it rains, you will get wet. If the sun’s beaming down then you may get hot and/or need to provide yourself with some form of shade.
Remember also when planning what to wear, to take into account what your plans are before and after the kick-off.
Are you going out for lunch before, or dinner afterwards? Or perhaps you’re planning to get to the stadium nice and early (I wrote this article on how early you should get to a rugby game – you might want to check it out) so that you can soak up the atmosphere.
I’ve listed below some items of clothing that you ought to consider wearing, or taking with you to watch the rugby at Twickenham. Obviously, keep a keen eye on the weather forecast and use it to help influence your decision on what to wear, or take with you in case you need it.
Hat
Take a hat with you. We all know you lose a substantial amount of body heat from your head. A baseball cap will retain a bit of warmth, but will also provide some shade from the sun if needed. If you know it’s going to be chilly, then a good warm winter hat that can cover your ears too is a no brainer.
Scarf
If you know from the forecast that there’s a chance of wind, then you’ll want to consider taking a scarf to wrap your neck up and help keep you toasty (almost!) warm, by preventing any cold breeze blowing down your top.
Team scarves and hats are also a great way to show support for your team.
Comfortable Shoes
There’s one thing that’s certain on a day out watching the rugby at Twickenham. Your step count is going to be high. By the end of the day you will have covered a fair old distance on foot. So make sure you’re wearing a pair of comfortable shoes for the day.
Even better if they’ve a reasonable cushion or a substantial outside sole. Either or both of these will keep your feet further away from the cold concrete floor of the stadium, resulting in warmer feet.
Warm Socks
Inside those shoes you’ll want a warm pair of socks for that extra bit of insulation, ideally long enough to keep your ankles wrapped up too. A decent pair of longish thick socks will keep the wind chill off your ankles and help to keep the cold of the concrete floor at bay.
Gilet
Wearing a gilet is definitely something to consider. A lightweight sleeveless extra layer, which can help to retain your core body warmth. It’s not too bulky, which means you can wear it over a shirt and/or jumper, but still comfortably wear a jacket over it.
If you’re keen on the gilet idea, it might also be worth thinking about whether you want to wear a soft shell or fleece gilet.
Body Warmer
A body warmer is slightly heavier, bulkier and warmer than a gilet. It’s usually made with a padded down interior for extra insulation. However, because of that added bulk the purpose of its design is more as an external jacket than an extra middle layer.
Warm Jacket
If you’ve read what I’ve written above, then you’ll have got the gist. Watching the rugby at Twickenham, whilst exhilarating, exciting and unbelievably atmospheric, it can also be pretty damn cold!
So if the forecast is chilly, just make sure you take a warm jacket with you.
Raincoat
If you’re planning to wear a jacket which isn’t waterproof, and you know you’ll be sitting in any of the lower tiers; then you’d be best off taking an additional lightweight raincoat (forecast dependant of course).
You can only take a small bag with you into the stadium. So make sure it’s one that can be rolled up pretty small and tucked into a jacket pocket. That way it’s on hand to keep you dry if the clouds decide to open on you.
Check out this article that I wrote on what you can and can’t take into Twickenham, to make sure you don’t have to give anything up at the gates on your way into the stadium!
Base Layer
A base layer will help to retain your core body temperature, keeping it close to you and insulating you from the external cold. It’s a lightweight option, in that you won’t have to wrap up in so many bulky outer layers to protect you from the cold, if that first layer provides you with the thermal warmth that a base layer will.
Long Johns Or Tights
Long Johns, really? Yes, I know and I hear you. Granted, they’re not the most fashionable of things, but my goodness they’re warm. And no one need even know you’ve got them on. If you know it’s going to be a cold one on match day, then they’ll be worth their weight in gold!
On the flip side, consider wearing some winter tights for that extra layer of warmth.
With your precious behind wrapped in an extra protective (and thermal) layer of clothing; you’re less likely to feel the cold from those plastic seats, which could rob you of your comfort whilst watching the game.
Lastly, don’t forget to wear something that shows your team whose side you’re on!