Rink Style: The Essentials of Hockey Fashion

Because looking good is half the battle—on and off the ice.

Hockey players have always had a look. From the iconic mullets of the '80s to the custom-tailored suits of today, what players wear in and around the rink has evolved just as much as the game itself.

Long before the game-day fit check was a thing, there was an unspoken dress code—a mix of tradition, practicality, and straight-up superstition. But let’s be honest: hockey style has never been more diverse than it is right now.

Are you a blue-collar Bauer tracksuit guy, sticking to the basics? Or are you pulling an Auston Matthews, rolling into the rink looking like an extra from a Milan runway show? No judgment—just know that what you wear says as much about you as your first shift of the game.

So, let’s break it down—the essentials of Rink Style™, the evolution of pre-game looks, and how hockey fashion is becoming a bigger statement than ever.

👕 Everyday Rink Wear: The Holy Trinity—Comfort, Function, & Team Spirit

Before players were signing deals with Gucci, they were rocking oversized hoodies and team-issued sweats. The OG rink look was all about comfort and function, with a little team pride thrown in.

Here’s what still holds up today:

✔️ The Hoodie – Whether it’s Roots (Canadian GOAT status) or your team’s latest swag, a good hoodie is a must. Bonus points if it’s oversized and slightly beat-up from years of pre-game naps.

✔️ Joggers or Sweats – In today’s world, Bauer, Travis Mathew, and Lululemon have taken over hockey wardrobes. Forget jeans—flexibility is key for two-touch warmups.

✔️ The Beanie (or Toque, for the Canadians) – Nothing says "hockey guy" like a team-branded knit cap in the dead of winter.

✔️ Sneakers or Slides – Jordan 1 lows? Yeezys? Classic Adidas Sambas? Your kicks complete the look. The only rule: if you show up in Crocs, you better be a first-liner.

📌 Pro Tip: If you roll into the rink in jeans and dress shoes, you better have a 50-goal season to back it up. Otherwise, you’re getting chirped.

🧥 Old-School Cool: The Classic Coach’s Look

Before pre-game fashion became a social media event, there was the coach's look—functional, clean, no-nonsense.

Guys like Scotty Bowman, Pat Burns, and even Reggie Dunlop in Slap Shot mastered this. They weren’t in it for style points—they dressed like they were running a Fortune 500 company.

✔️ The Wool Overcoat & Scarf – Peak old-school hockey guy energy. Warm, timeless, and not a speck of unnecessary flair.

✔️ A Properly Fitted Suit – No flashy colors. Just tailored, professional, and ready to drop a clipboard when the ref blows a call.

✔️ Leather Dress Shoes – No sneakers. No exceptions. And don’t even think about brown shoes with a black suit.

✔️ A Classic Watch – Because real ones still check the time on their wrist, not their phone.

🏒 The Evolution of Hockey Hair: From Mullets to Million-Dollar Flow

You can’t talk about hockey fashion without addressing the lettuce.

The '80s and '90s were dominated by all-time greats like Al Iafrate, Jaromir Jagr, and even Wayne Gretzky’s underrated locks. Now? Players like Henrik Lundqvist and Patrick Sharp turned “hockey hair” into an art form.

So, what makes elite-level hockey flow?

✔️ Controlled Chaos – The best hair looks effortless—but you know damn well it took 20 minutes and the right pomade.

✔️ The Right Product – Matte clay, sea salt spray, and a quick fix post-game. If your helmet hair looks like you just lost a bet, it’s time to upgrade the routine.

🚨 Warning: If you’re still rocking dollar-store gel like it’s 2004, it’s time to rethink your life choices.

👀 Coming Up in Part 2: When Hockey Meets Fashion

In Part 2, we take it from rink wear to the runway:

🔥 Game-Day Fits – NHLers who took the pre-game tunnel walk and turned it into a fashion show.
👞 Suits vs. Sneakers – Do you go full GQ or rock the designer tracksuit & sunglasses look?
🎩 Accessories & The Finishing Touches – Watches, pocket squares, and how a well-placed fedora can change everything.

Bottom line? Hockey style is evolving. You don’t need to be rich to look like a pro, but you do need to have some standards. 🏒

See you in Part 2.