Make Sports Outfits Queer and Fun Again

Heated Rivalry has me pairing hockey jerseys with polka dot skirt-pants and baseball caps with dirndls.

Dec 27, 2025

∙ Paid

Hello! This post is really just an outfit extravaganza, so I’ll keep the intro brief—if you’ve watched and loved Heated Rivalry, as I have, you may be in the mood to add some sporty elements to your looks, whether staying true to the show with a hockey jersey or repping your favorite hometown team, regardless of the sport. Below, TEN WHOLE SHOPPABLE LOOKS, all sourced exclusively secondhand, that each incorporate at least one piece of team merch/paraphernalia to hopefully give you some ideas as to how you can style a ratty pair of patchwork sweats or a cheap baseball cap without looking, antithetically to the Heated Rivalry spirit, boring and straight (the narrow kind—I just know Josh Hutcherson would love these looks). Each annotated outfit is designed to keep you warm (ish) without losing any semblance of cool court or rink-side. Let’s get into it…

If you cannot afford the $5/month, I totally understand—respond to any of my email sends and I will get you a $1.50 subscription or comp you, whatever you need. Esque is for everyone!

THANK YOU for being here, and I am always available @that.esque on Instagram for sartorial scandals/situations/summons. Here is a little preview of what’s below the paywall:

This look feels like what Heated Rivalry’s Rose would have worn if the show took place ten years later—though I’m not a huge fan of L*sa Says G*h in general, I wouldn’t balk at buying one of its pieces secondhand if I liked it enough, and I really think that these bottoms nail the skant formula (skirt-over-pant). I also believe that polka dots and faux fur are the two most powerful tools in one’s arsenal with which to spruce up a sporty look.

This Vaquera jacket begged for a top underneath that featured a strong graphic, so I picked this sick Atlanta basketball jersey—I also like that the jacket makes it so showing off a sleeveless top in winter, at least in places like the PNW, isn’t completely deranged. I, um, just realized that the bowler bag is an odd tribute to none other than Orlando Bloom? Where did this come from? I don’t stand by that recommendation, but other than that, this look feels like what a younger Gen Z alt WAG would wear, and now I’m afraid to watch that demographic develop…

The prairie core moment of the late 20teens may or may not have brainwashed me into instinctively pairing baseball caps with lacy, white, dirndl-like tops (“vintage dirndl top” is a GREAT Etsy search), but I still like the duo! I paired it with stripy pants that reference both baseball stripes and Mets orange, Cecilie Bahnsen’s quintessentially sporty-sweet trainers, and another bowling bag that is muchless affiliated with any suspect celebrities. Katy Perry has the opportunity to do something really funny and get “Mrs. Trudeau” embroidered onto one of these…

Mets cap - $13 (Sale)
Jil Sander top - $90
Puffer jacket - $40
Big Bud Press trousers - $123
Bowing bag - $10
Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics trainers - $180 (Sale)

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Em Seely-Katz.

Or purchase a paid subscription.