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What to Wear to Football Tailgates: Outfits for Every Style

Whether you’ve been watching your team’s games since you were in diapers or you can just barely explain what a touchdown is, football season is the perfect opportunity to showcase your school spirit and your style – and it all starts with the tailgate. Day or night, hot or cold, you can rock the pre-game scene like one of the pros. Check out our favorite game-day looks for every collegiette’s style!

 

1. School Jersey + Pleated Skirt

Who it’s for: The super chic super-fan

How to wear it: If you follow team stats just as much as fall trends, football tailgates are the best place for you to flaunt your skills. Rep your team with a replica jersey, and rep your style with a fun and flirty pleated skirt. Tuck the jersey in and throw a cute belt around your waist (one in your school’s colors, of course), and your game-day look will be a win!

Jersey: Football Fanatics, $54.95

Save:

Skirt: Nasty Gal, $38
Belt: ModCloth, $15.99

Splurge:

Skirt: Topshop, $72
Belt: Tory Burch, $185

 

2. Chevron Dress + Statement Necklace

Who it’s for: The fashionista football novice

How to wear it: If you’re a jersey-less collegiette with more interest in the quarterback’s biceps than his NFL prospects, you can still show your school spirit at tailgates by donning your alma mater’s colors. Look for a trendy chevron dress in your school’s colors to tie in your sense of style – and avoid any tough questions about the player whose jersey you’d try to pull off. Top it off with a chunky statement necklace for a look that’s sure to make up for your lack of football knowledge. Maybe your stylish tailgate experience will lead you into the arms of a campus cutie who can teach you everything you need to know about football, but in the meantime, you can check out HC’s college football guide to prep yourself.

Save:

Dress: Charlotte Russe, $29.99
Necklace: Etsy, $10.90

Splurge:

Dress: Bloomingdale’s, $88
Necklace: Etsy, $74

 

3. Riding Boots + Oversized Half-Zip Pullover

Who it’s for: The cold-weather collegiette

How to wear it: In some parts of the country, the beginning of football season also means the beginning of cooler weather. Break out the leather riding boots, squeeze into your favorite skinny jeans and cozy up with an oversized half-zip pullover (read: wearable blanket). A go-to favorite for collegiette coziness is Victoria Secret Pink’s collegiate collection, which happens to be featuring half-zips this season! For collegiettes who refuse to let the inevitable drop in temperature put a dent in their school spirit or social life, this cute and cozy combination is a must-have.

Pullover: Victoria’s Secret PINK, $59.50

Save:

Jeans: boohoo, $24
Bag: ASOS, $33.75
Boots: Victoria’s Secret, $80

Splurge:

Jeans: True Religion, $198
Boots: Tory Burch, $495
Bag: Fossil, $148

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4. Crop Top + Cowboy Boots

Who it’s for: The warm-weather collegiette

How to wear it: Sun-soaking collegiettes can make the most of the fair weather that’s left during the tailgate season by continuing some of summer’s hottest trends. Whether you make it yourself or you let a professional do the work for you, a cropped school T-shirt or tank will highlight your school spirit and your summer glow. Complement the crop top with high-waisted shorts or bright cutoffs to keep your look fresh and heat-appropriate. Finish it off with a pair of cowboy boots to give your look some flair, and you’ll be tailgate-ready!

Crop Top: FansEdge, $21.95

Save:

Shorts: Nasty Gal, $38
Boots: Macy’s, $79

Splurge:

Shorts: Topshop, $60
Boots: Buckle, $178

 

5. High-Low Dress + Floppy Hat

Who it’s for: The day-game tailgater

How to wear it: For afternoon games, collegiettes are outside tailgating when the sun is at its strongest. To stay cool and protect yourself from the sun’s rays, don a Marilyn Monroe-esque floppy hat. And when that it’s-almost-fall breeze comes your way, a cute and trendy high-low dress will catch the wind and keep you cool. Plus, the length of the dress will keep you from worrying about a gusty wardrobe malfunction, which makes this tailgate look a win-win!

Save:

Dress: Nordstrom, $52
Hat: Target, $14.99

Splurge:

Dress: bebe, $89
Hat: Madewell, $75

 

6. Cropped Pants + Metallics

Who it’s for: The night-game tailgater

How to wear it: Tailgating for the weekday night games may not start until after classes, but it’s sure to continue until well after the sun sets. Cropped pants are a cute and easy go-to item for chilly, after-dark tailgates, while metallic pieces will brighten things up with some sparkle and shine. Opt for a sequined tank and metallic ballet flats, and your game-night look will shine brighter than the stadium lights.

Save:

Pants: Zara, $59.90
Top: Buckle, $28
Shoes: DSW, $39.95

Splurge:

Pants: Topshop, $80
Top: Nordstrom, $86
Shoes: Jack Rogers, $138

No matter what kind of football knowledge or style sense you have, you can tackle the tailgate scene by repping your school, your team and your personality. Bring your A-game with clothes bearing your school’s logo and trendy pieces in your school’s colors. Show us your super cute tailgate ensemble by Instagramming a pic and tagging @hercampus with #HCXO!

Alex is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double-majoring in Journalism and Spanish. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, she likes to say that you can take the girl out of the beach, but you can't take the beach out of the girl. She plans to pursue a career in public relations, and she may even do so speaking Spanish! She has a serious case of wanderlust and big dreams of traveling the world. For now, though, Alex enjoys cheering on her Tar Heels, heading home to the beach in the summer, and writing for HC, of course! Keep up with Alex by visiting her website at www.alexgladu.wordpress.com.
Quinn Cohane is the Product Manager at Her Campus. She develops new features for Her Campus's web properties, including HerCampus.com, HerCampusMedia.com, HerConference.com, and CollegeFashionWeek.com, from initial conception to final installation. She collaborates with the Client Services team to implement custom landing pages, content hubs and sponsored content for client campaigns. Quinn also works closely with the Chapter Development team, training new team members on using Her Campus's content management system and leading the onboarding of new Campus Correspondents, national writers and bloggers, and national interns. Additionally, she oversees technical support for Her Campus and the uploading of national content. Quinn first joined the Her Campus team as a remote intern in February 2010; her past roles include Production Associate, Digital Media Manager, Chapter Advisor, and Study Abroad blogger during her semester in Copenhagen, Denmark. She graduated Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in 2013 as an English major and computer science minor. A native of Scarsdale, New York, Quinn enjoys attending theater and dance performances, traveling the world, reading, the beach, and apple crumb pie. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @quinncohane.