Tailgating

Game day in the South? No T-shirts, please

iReport
Shaniece Mason, Special to CNN
Updated 2:05 PM EDT, Thu September 1, 2016
The South is known for taking a lot of things seriously, like Chick-fil-A, sweet tea and church on Sundays. But let's not forget the most important thing of all: College football. At the University of Georgia, Lauren Stapleton, second from right, and her friends go all out for home games.
Game day glamour —
The South is known for taking a lot of things seriously, like Chick-fil-A, sweet tea and church on Sundays. But let's not forget the most important thing of all: College football. At the University of Georgia, Lauren Stapleton, second from right, and her friends go all out for home games.
Courtesy Lauren Stapleton
At the University of South Carolina, Southern gentlemen "allow our ladies to take the spotlight," says student <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1187880">Byron Thomas</a>, who shot this photo of his friends. Girls typically wear garnet or black sundresses paired with "cowgirl" boots. "You'll see a lot of girls walking home barefoot because the cowgirl boots hurt their feet from all the standing and jumping," Thomas said.
Game day glamour —
At the University of South Carolina, Southern gentlemen "allow our ladies to take the spotlight," says student Byron Thomas, who shot this photo of his friends. Girls typically wear garnet or black sundresses paired with "cowgirl" boots. "You'll see a lot of girls walking home barefoot because the cowgirl boots hurt their feet from all the standing and jumping," Thomas said.
Courtesy Byron Thomas
Accessories like scarfs, belts, and jewelry should coordinate "but not be too matchy matchy," said Louisiana State University fan <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1188011">Haley Poole</a>, right. "The outfit should also still be functional off campus -- if you feel like you stick out amongst people who are not going to the game, it's too much."
Game day glamour —
Accessories like scarfs, belts, and jewelry should coordinate "but not be too matchy matchy," said Louisiana State University fan Haley Poole, right. "The outfit should also still be functional off campus -- if you feel like you stick out amongst people who are not going to the game, it's too much."
Courtesy Haley Poole
"It's always better to be overdressed than under," said <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1189879">Hayley Taylor</a>, a style blogger and recent Louisiana State University graduate. "With over 100,000 people around, you never know who you'll run into, or if you'll end up on TV. I wouldn't want to run into a friend looking my worst."
Game day glamour —
"It's always better to be overdressed than under," said Hayley Taylor, a style blogger and recent Louisiana State University graduate. "With over 100,000 people around, you never know who you'll run into, or if you'll end up on TV. I wouldn't want to run into a friend looking my worst."
Courtesy Courtney Kimble Photography
Chandler MacWilliam, right, a senior at the University of Alabama and a <a href="http://shotgunsandseashells.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">fashion blogger</a>, models a game-day look with her boyfriend. She<a href="http://shotgunsandseashells.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> </a>says she spends $50 to $200 on a typical tailgate outfit, which must always feature something red, black, white or gray. "I refuse to dress in any color but those four."
Game day glamour —
Chandler MacWilliam, right, a senior at the University of Alabama and a fashion blogger, models a game-day look with her boyfriend. She says she spends $50 to $200 on a typical tailgate outfit, which must always feature something red, black, white or gray. "I refuse to dress in any color but those four."
Courtesy Chandler MacWilliam
Getting ready is not just about the clothes, Mississippi State University senior <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1193446">Lydia Buckner</a> says. "Game-day prep is a group effort. The guys watch the other college games and cook out, while the girls take over the bathrooms to do hair and makeup. Coming together like that gets the spirit up and builds on all the excitement," she said.
Game day glamour —
Getting ready is not just about the clothes, Mississippi State University senior Lydia Buckner says. "Game-day prep is a group effort. The guys watch the other college games and cook out, while the girls take over the bathrooms to do hair and makeup. Coming together like that gets the spirit up and builds on all the excitement," she said.
Courtesy Lydia Buckner
It's not only students who take game day attire seriously: Parents get in on the fun, too! Here, <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1191100">Carly Young</a>, right, and her mother show their spirit for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Young, a senior, says she has one pet peeve about the outfits she sees in Vols territory -- when ladies try to pass off pink as orange. Horrors!
Game day glamour —
It's not only students who take game day attire seriously: Parents get in on the fun, too! Here, Carly Young, right, and her mother show their spirit for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Young, a senior, says she has one pet peeve about the outfits she sees in Vols territory -- when ladies try to pass off pink as orange. Horrors!
Courtesy Carly Young
Southern Methodist University junior <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1189952">Shelly Knutson</a> says the tradition there is to wear all white dresses and cowboy boots to home games, so finding an outfit is a breeze.
Game day glamour —
Southern Methodist University junior Shelly Knutson says the tradition there is to wear all white dresses and cowboy boots to home games, so finding an outfit is a breeze.
Courtesy Shelly Knutson
For guys, button-down shirts and khakis are game-day staples. University of Alabama sophomore <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1191656">Gabrielle Atchison</a>, right, poses with a friend at the Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Game day glamour —
For guys, button-down shirts and khakis are game-day staples. University of Alabama sophomore Gabrielle Atchison, right, poses with a friend at the Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Courtesy Gabrielle Atchison
University of Kentucky senior <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1191653">Bethany Ball</a>, right, poses with a friend at the school's homecoming game. A huge game day style no-no for Ball is wearing two different prints. "It can be overwhelming and clash," she said.
Game day glamour —
University of Kentucky senior Bethany Ball, right, poses with a friend at the school's homecoming game. A huge game day style no-no for Ball is wearing two different prints. "It can be overwhelming and clash," she said.
Courtesy Bethany Ball
Vests are a go-to in the fall for guys and girls alike, says Jessie McKissick, far right. She ordered a cream vest from a Mississippi boutique to complete her outfit for the Egg Bowl, the annual game between state rivals Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi.
Game day glamour —
Vests are a go-to in the fall for guys and girls alike, says Jessie McKissick, far right. She ordered a cream vest from a Mississippi boutique to complete her outfit for the Egg Bowl, the annual game between state rivals Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi.
Courtesy Jessie McKissick
Game day fashion "is all about feeling comfortable in what you are in and being able to pull pieces together to create a look," said <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1191315">Melissa Alpuche</a>, right, shown here cheering on the University of Alabama. More game day style no-no's include "showing too much skin, over-the-top makeup," and, of course, wearing the opponents' colors, she said.
Game day glamour —
Game day fashion "is all about feeling comfortable in what you are in and being able to pull pieces together to create a look," said Melissa Alpuche, right, shown here cheering on the University of Alabama. More game day style no-no's include "showing too much skin, over-the-top makeup," and, of course, wearing the opponents' colors, she said.
Courtesy Melissa Alpuche
The houndstooth pattern has long been associated with the University of Alabama and its former football coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant. Fashion mavens say a little goes a long way.
Game day glamour —
The houndstooth pattern has long been associated with the University of Alabama and its former football coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant. Fashion mavens say a little goes a long way.
Courtesy Kaeshier Fernandez
Repeat after us: Football games are not the place to wear heels. Besides being uncomfortable, they scream "trying too hard," said University of Florida fan Abbey King, left. "You can achieve a classy/casual look without them, and stay comfortable throughout the entire day," she said.
Game day glamour —
Repeat after us: Football games are not the place to wear heels. Besides being uncomfortable, they scream "trying too hard," said University of Florida fan Abbey King, left. "You can achieve a classy/casual look without them, and stay comfortable throughout the entire day," she said.
Courtesy Abbey King
Game day glamour

Story highlights

When tailgating in the South, a team T-shirt simply will not do

Lack of promising professional teams contributes to the popularity of college football

Alabama and Missouri will go head-to-head in the SEC championship on Saturday

CNN  — 

Ladies donning their best black dresses, cowboy boots and pearls stand alongside men wearing khakis with tucked-in button-ups and blazers. Anticipation is in the air and the fervor is growing.

This isn’t a fancy event or church service. These fashionable fans are ready to kick off another college football Saturday in the South.

When the University of Alabama and the University of Missouri go head-to-head on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship, college fans will no doubt be dressed in their Sunday best.

Whether you are a Georgia Bulldog, a Florida Gator or you’re yelling “Roll Tide” after ‘Bama scores a touchdown, a Saturday in the SEC normally means you’re in front of a television arguing over commentary or you’re in a stadium, cheering with your friends.

And there’s no way you’re wearing jeans and a team shirt.

We can’t talk about the importance of fashion in the SEC and not talk about what football means to the South. It’s the game of football you hear a father explain to his son on a cool, autumn morning. And it’s football that has families gathered around the television screaming over each field goal and fumble.

Bleacher Report editor Chris Cornell says college football is a national phenomenon, but it’s like a religion down here. In the South, the added appeal of college football comes from the lack of promising professional teams.

“Look at Florida. A team like the Dolphins doesn’t really get much publicity. Atlanta has the Falcons but they aren’t really winning enough to keep interest, right?” he said.

It’s the college fandom that reaches bigger heights – heights that come in the forms of boots, pumps and fashionable football attire.

“We love our teams and want to support them to the best of our abilities. It’s not just about the clothes we wear, but the attitude that we carry as well,” said Lydia Buckner, a senior at Mississippi State University, where she said game-day prep is a group affair. Buckner and her girlfriends get together to do their hair and makeup, and while the girls are in the bathroom, the guys are watching other college games and cooking out.

“Coming together like that gets the spirit up and builds on all the excitement,” she said.

In the South, you dress up for whatever you take pride in. And that could be anything from family dinners to a visit to grandma’s. Add a crowd and there’s all the more reason to look your best.

“With over 100,000 people around, you never know who you’ll run into, or if you’ll end up on TV,” said Hayley Taylor, a style blogger and recent Louisiana State University graduate. “I wouldn’t want to run into a friend looking my worst.”

Game-day style has given rise to niche boutiques such as Sideline Sweetie, an online store that’s been selling trendy tailgate attire for women since 2011. Owner Rosanne Nettles says the idea came from realizing there weren’t enough places to find cute outfits in school colors that a woman could wear to a game. At the time, she owned three women’s boutique and formal wear stores in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Women were tired of jeans and jerseys. They wanted dresses, maxi skirts, and prints galore. Trendy, not masculine.

“Every social event is a big deal in the South. People love to dress up and we love football,” Nettles said. “We realized that we could not keep in stock red and black, as customers were calling from all over for Georgia and Alabama game-day apparel. As we started to introduce more navy, we noticed that Auburn fans started calling also.”

To keep up with demand, Nettles gave the store’s “Sideline Sweetie” game-day collection its own brand and website. The site is busiest from July to November, with Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and Florida fans among her best customers. “The Northern and Midwest schools are definitely our least popular,” she said.

When it comes to dressing up for football, there are some crucial dos and don’ts. Talk to many female college fans and they’ll give you the same advice: Keep it classy. You’re representing the entire university when you step out to tailgate. Always dress in school colors, use accessories to dress up any outfit, and above all, be smart about your footwear, Buckner says.

“If you can’t walk a block comfortably, you’re going to regret it – senior to freshman advice,” Buckner said. “Trust me, I know those heels look supercute but your blistered feet will definitely not. You want to be able to cheer and jump without constantly worrying about a wardrobe malfunction.”

We want to hear from more sharp-dressing college football fans. What is your go-to outfit on game day? Send us a photo of yourself in your best tailgating attire. After all, this is what college football is really about.

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