Getting dressed on game day is harder than one might expect. Us Vandy girls have to somehow find an option that both showcases our Commodore pride and looks cute/classy for tailgating purposes. The main goal is to avoid being that one girl in black shorts and a tee shirt when all of the other girls are in dresses… trust me, I’ve been there and it’s not fun. Plus, tailgates are the perfect time for us to whip out our cameras and take millions of hawt pics for muploading purposes. Don’t lie to yourself- you do it, too.
As a girl who used to fail miserably every Saturday when choosing a tailgating outfit, I want to help all of you newbies/clueless chicas succeed this week and every week thereafter! Here is a list of respectable outfits, plus accessories you will probably need for the game itself.
The Classic Black Dress
This is a staple for EVERY Vandy girl, because once paired with gold accessories, it becomes a symbol of Commodore pride. The trick is to buy a black dress that isn’t too expensive and looks casual enough for day fratting. I’ve had a lot of success at Muse, the boutique by the bookstore, and Nordstrom. While the ones at Nordstrom aren’t exactly the cheapest, you can find comfort in the fact that you look adorable and trendy. The dress shown above is from Nordstrom, and I think it looks perfectly approrpiate for a tailgate. It’s tight in the the right areas, so it will flatter your figure whether you’re a pear or an apple shape! Plus it’s black and cheap-ish. Perfect!
The Classic Non-Black Dress
Let’s face it- there are some days when you’d just rather look cute than display school pride. Enter the Lilly dress. Any dress from Lilly Pulitzer will instantly make you look preppy, adorable, and classy, all of the things a Vandy girl should be! Yeah, they’re a little expensive, but they’re an extremely worthwhile investment into your wardrobe. I love this striped dress with three-quarter sleeves because it’s casual, comfy, and absolutely perfect for tailgating. It also comes in pink and navy! One thing to keep in mind when wearing a non-black dress- NEVER wear anything that has our opponent’s colors. For example, if you wore a blue/orange dress to the game vs. UF last week… that is a no-no not to be repeated. Ever.
Comfortable Shoes!
I still have trouble with this part of my tailgating outfit- I always want to wear wedges or heels to elongate my legs, but by the time the game starts, I legitimately want to chop my feet off! The trick is to wear either neutral sandals or cowboy boots. The sandals, especially if they’re gold or tan, will blend in with your skin and make your legs look nice and long. Look at the model wearing the Lilly dress above for proof. However, I’m a proponent of cowboy boots because they’re comfortable and have just the right amount of heel. I have really muscular legs, and boots always make them look a little better than normal. Plus boots are a huge part of Vandy culture, so you really cannot go wrong with this option. Just look at how cute T-Swift looks!
Gold Jewelry
Even if you’re not wearing a black dress, gold jewelry is a must. It makes it seem like you at least put a tad bit of effort into dressing for Vandy. Plus, gold flatters just about every skintone! If you’re like me and you go from being tan in the summer to super-pale in the winter, gold jewelry adds warmth to your skin and makes you look super-classy. I love wearing dainty gold earrings and a thin gold bangle! I just bought a Kate Spade gold bracelet that is engraved with “joie de vivre”, and it’s my new go-to for jewelry. Their earrings are also SO gorgeous- check out some options from their website above! Trust me- Kate Spade knows how to do jewelry.Â
Rain Gear!
Last but not least, us Vandy girls must be prepared for a foul turn of the weather. She Reigns, a company started in Dallas by Jenica and Cathy Williamson, has found a way to make any football fanatic look fashionable in the rain with their Game Day Cape. It comes in a multitude of school colors (including black and gold!) and it undoubtedly beats wearing a boring raincoat or, even worse, a gross, plastic poncho. I personally love how it has a hood and is big enough to completely shield its wearer from the rain! While it is a tad bit expensive, this cape is undoubtedly an investment that will last for all of your years at Vanderbilt. PLUS, She Reigns is offering a 15% discount to anyone who orders a Game Day cape on their website!!!! Just enter the promo code “GameDayChic” at checkout, and voila- money saved.
I would also recommend investing in a wristlet that isn’t cloth, like this one from Michael Kors. It’s black and gold and won’t get ruined in the rain!
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I hope these suggestions will help you for both this Saturday and all of the tailgates in your future.
Now that your wardrobe is figured out, let’s anchor down and BEAT THOSE TIGERS! Â