Hockey moms are the true anchor of the most expensive of youth sports*. The rinks are freezing (but at least you normally can control the precipitation indoors), the hours are long, the driving is even longer. Hockey moms need to be warm – here’s my pick for affordable hockey mom outfits, secondhand, handmade and stylish. I’ve put in a few crafts in here for beginners that also fulfill the “need to be warm and cozy” – bonus something to do at the rink AND stay warm.
*unless your kid is equestrian or rodeo and then you’ve gotta feed the horses!
Warm legs are the key to happiness on cold bleachers
I buy a lot of my hockey mom stuff secondhand. The first thing you’re going to want is warm legs. I do not feel leggings are a good choice here, especially in northern rinks where they don’t actually have heat – meaning the ambient outside temp is near the same on the inside too. I prefer fleece lined pants – and a couple great choices that I find all the time in secondhand stores is the sweatshirt fleece wide leg pant or the fleece lined jogger. Popular amongst college kids (same reason!) you’ll find these at secondhand stores that cater to a younger audience like Plato’s Closet or Uptown Cheapskate. The trendy color is a pale cream or taupe. I’ve also gotten fleece joggers at secondhand stores, and those are also an excellent choice.
I also love the sweater knit pants that you can find secondhand from fast fashion brand Zara or H&M. These are straight leg, sweater pants with a bit of heft to them. If you can find them, the Zara brand is Soft Touch Palazzo pants.
Sewing patterns for warm pants for hockey moms:
If you’re a total newbie, try the freebie Cass pants from Fabric-Store.com, a wide leg pant designed for linen, choose a heavy linen fabric, or make them in baby (narrow) wale corduroy (pre wash and dry both fabrics before sewing.) This beginner friendly pant pattern can be made by anyone using a very basic sewing machine. You can even check them out at the library. And for those 3 day weekend tournaments? BRING THE MACHINE! Not kidding! All hotel rooms have desks, irons and ironing boards for the pressing process of sewing. I have done this more than once.
A great outfit that takes both the pants AND the cozy funnelneck top is this one from Ukranian (now German) designer Dudas Patterns, the Paula Set. This is perfect for sweater knits. My LFS carries heavier knit fabrics for this, you can find these here: this is the tencel doubleknit and it’s luxurious in person! They have a lot of other knits suitable for the Paula Set too, in all colors! Look for doubleknit, ponte and sweatshirt fleece.
Warm coats and vests for hockey moms
The long line quilted vest is super popular among hockey moms for good reason, those bleacher seats are COLD! But you don’t have to break the bank for one – if you can’t find a long vest at a secondhand store, you can easily make one. I cut off the sleeves of a quilted jacket I got on Freecycle and made one of these vests with just an hour of my time. Cut the sleeve off at the seam, to finish them: fold under both the lining and the jacket fabric and pin together. Sew the two layers together using the “invisible hand stitch” method of putting a needle into both folded layers and stitching them together.
I also love a long fleece coat for those “still pretty warm outside for the pre-game tailgate but need a long coat for inside”. This year, I’m making this double layered one. I love brands like Columbia and Lands End for coats, and you can always get long, warm coats at secondhand stores this time of year – especially at upscale secondhand stores.
Warm tops for hockey moms:
You can wear the team swag, of course! But if you want to not always wear the team hoodie, try a couple of cozy options you can find anywhere, including secondhand.
The mock turtleneck: a great baselayer, these were and are popular again, with a slim fit they slide under your sweatshirts for an extra cozy layer. I find these at secondhand and thrift stores often in the fall and winter.
If you want to sew your own, there are tons of options, and here are a few of mine:
I love a quarter zip and got this Vogue 1833 pattern last spring to make a couple:
And I bought this seamed and piped loungewear set pattern for this year’s sewing too: https://simplicity.com/know-me/me2138?searchid=22733621&search_query=sweatshirt Both the top and pants are hockey-mom worthy.
Keep your head warm (and your hands busy with an easy craft of knitting)
The team beanie/tuc is always a good choice (and honestly since we’re all bundled up in our winter coats INSIDE, a better team choice since you can actually see it). But if you want both a project that will keep you warm after, try the hood knitting pattern. Here’s the College Town Hoodie Cowl from my local knitting store, and here’s the Petite Knit shawl hood – featured in the WSJ style issue last winter and popular. These projects are GREAT for the rink and those hours-long days between games when you’d rather not doomscroll endlessly.
Plus, you can make these in TEAM COLORS! Yeah!
Knit or sew a handmade scarf
If you’re going to be sitting around in the cold, knit something. A basic scarf in a luxurious yarn is not only a great time-passing project but you get to wear it too. Making a hand sewn scarf is a great project too. I love a velvet and satin scarf for the rink. If you need something on your head, the satin side helps your hair, and the velvet side wrapped around a few times is warm in cold rinks. Here’s a freebie “pattern” (really, just instructions). If you get one of these done and love making it, try making these for gifts. A lot of time is spent in cold rinks so may as well do something better with it.
Add Accessories!
I love a big tote bag, and I’ve sewn them myself. My favorite for all around toting is the Hot Patterns Homage Tote (after a famous designer bag from a while back) for it’s roomy tote style but stylishness. I have this in a home dec cotton in two different colors. A big tote, as you know, is essential for bringing your hockey blanket, water bottle, gloves, and maybe a shot of Fireball.
Hockey mom footwear
In the nicer months, a pair of warm-ish socks and sneakers are fine, I like my Nike Air Force 1s, and I also love my Asics 200s. But for winter and not snow, a nice pair of cozy short booties, preferably quilted, is my shoe of choice. For actual winter with snow, you’re just going to need a good boot from Columbia, Sorel, or others. A lot of moms like the Ugg slip on or boot style, and two pairs of fake uggs have kept me warm at rinks for years now.