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National Collegiate Athletic Association Southeastern Conference (SEC) football game days are unlike any other. Each Saturday in fall, thousands of rowdy fans come together to experience true southern hospitality, cheer on their teams and watch the most talented conference in the country. With the increasing online popularity and growing culture of SEC schools, a profound element of college game days has emerged: fashion.
From new fashion trends appearing annually to elaborate, unique outfits, SEC game days are an entire production. Rather than the classic game day attire of jerseys or well-loved tailgate shoes that may be seen in other regions of the country, the SEC takes it up a notch. Students can often be seen wearing full-length dresses, sundresses, matching sets, cowboy boots, statement jewelry, fashionable sunglasses or hats and, of course, their team colors.
This year, several fun clothing trends surfaced that are great additions to any college game day wardrobe, regardless of what university one attends.
The Frye Company Boots
These fashion-forward leather boots are definitely an investment, ranging from $52 to $498, but they are incredibly chic and perfect capsule pieces that can be worn for years. The Mustang and Campus styles have been trending within SEC schools, particularly in the colors banana, saddle and light brown. They can be dressed up with a mini dress or worn more casually with a pair of jeans or shorts. For those seeking out a more affordable alternative, Amazon and Steve Madden carry convincing duplicates of these stylish boots.
Denim Sets
No matter one’s school colors, there truly is no going wrong with a simple, two-piece denim set. This look can range from a top and shorts to a jacket and matching skirt, and cute, affordable options can be found on virtually every mainstream clothing website, such as EDIKTED, Princess Polly, Revolve or White Fox Boutique. What’s practical about a denim set is that it can be accessorized uniquely based on an individual’s personal style and the pieces can conveniently be worn separately for different outfits.
Retro-Style Aviator Sunglasses
The heat in the South can be unbearable at times, especially during football season, so retro-style aviator sunglasses are absolutely essential for protecting the eyes while maintaining a look that is put together. These square-shaped sunglasses were certainly trending this fall, and understandably so, as they are the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. Pricier options can be found on Ray-Ban or QUAY’s websites, whereas cheaper options are available at Target, Amazon or Buckle.
Patterned Dresses
Though this is a broad category, any dress with patterns, embellishments or fine details will always elevate a game day look while still being simple in concept and easy to wear for a long period of time. Patterns are also the perfect opportunity to showcase school spirit and colors, whether that be wearing tiger print at Louisiana State University, crimson polka dots at the University of Alabama or red, white and blue stripes at Ole Miss. Mixing vibrant colors and patterns on otherwise unadorned clothing items is always a clever strategy in the fashion playbook.
Kendra Scott Jewelry
Kendra Scott, a University of Texas at Austin fan, makes well-known, unique jewelry with a western or southern influence; her pieces typically cost between $35 and $100. Specifically, her designs from the “Yellow Rose Collection” make amazing additions to any outfit that has a vintage feel or maybe incorporates browns, whites or burnt orange. Every style of jewelry can be found on Kendra Scott’s website, and a lot of her jewelry collection is relatively inexpensive for those looking to make a statement.
Bandana Scarf
This is definitely a newer trend, but it turns out a patterned bandana scarf can add the little pop of color needed to enhance a plain outfit. Versatile in every way, bandana scarves can be worn in one’s hair, as a makeshift belt, around one’s neck or tied through the loops on the side of cowboy boots. These are a staple accessory for football season, as they serve so many purposes and are inexpensive investments that will be the cherry on top of an outfit.
Of course, it’s incredibly important to celebrate different personal tastes and styles, but hopefully this list can serve as a helpful starter pack for those wondering what to wear to their school’s next game day.