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The fall season is perfect for college football games, game day parties, and tailgate outfits! Tailgates are an excellent opportunity to show off your school spirit, support your team, and have a great time with friends.
Key Takeaways
- Classic tailgate looks include a team top with denim shorts, an oversized college tee with micro shorts, or a mini dress with a baseball cap.
- Cheerleader-inspired outfits (tennis skirt, cropped baby tee, sneakers) and Y2K looks are fun ways to show school spirit.
- Choose comfortable shoes, since tailgates often mean hours on your feet.
- Your school bookstore is a reliable source of official tees, hoodies and hats.
From the food to the socializing, no tailgate is complete without a great outfit. You can be as creative as you want with your game day apparel, so don’t be afraid to go bold!
If this is your first year, fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride! You have many things to do when getting acclimated to college, so start slow. The same goes for your wardrobe: start with a few versatile game day pieces and build from there.
Tailgating Outfits
Let’s get inspired with the five best tailgate outfits to rock this football season!
*Tailgate Tip: The best thing about tailgating fashion is that there are no rules!
Tailgating Tops with Denim Shorts
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When it comes to denim shorts, pairing them with the perfect top and your favorite pair of sneakers is a classic game day look that’s both comfortable and stylish.
These looks are effortless but party-ready, especially with a pair of sunglasses! Here are three game day-approved tops to sport with your denim shorts.
Crop Tops
Crop tops are the perfect way to show a little skin while being relaxed and tailgate-ready. You can wear this tailgate top with any style of denim shorts (high, mid, or low rise). This classic crop top defines fashion during any season. Also, try a cropped tank top or a sports bra if you feel extra bold.
*Make sure whatever you choose is snug enough that it won’t fly up when you’re cheering on your team!
College Baby Tee
A college baby tee is a must-have for any college tailgate party. This baby tee is super soft, has a relaxed fit, and, most importantly, shows off your school spirit! To style a college baby tee, keep it simple with your favorite denim shorts and sneakers, of course! Don’t overthink your college tee; just go with it.
Tanks
Tanks are another excellent option for college tailgate parties. It’s usually more fitted than a baby tee and comes in various colors and styles, so you can find the perfect one to represent your team. You can wear a tailgate jacket or hoodie if you get cold. If you want to dress up your look, try pairing it with a cute skirt or ripped jeans.
Oversized College Tee with Micro Shorts
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An oversized college tee paired with super cute micro shorts is an excellent addition to your gameday wardrobe! Finding a fashionable yet comfy outfit is key when you’re planning for a full day of tailgating. It’s not all about glitz and glam; cozy is chic, too.
The oversized tee style is fantastic for those who want to be relaxed (yet still turn heads!). The best part about this tailgate outfit is that you can easily dress it up or down. No matter how you style it, you’ll have some fans at the next college tailgate party.
Below are two tailgate tops and a must-have accessory for this college girl-next-door style!
College Football Jersey
A college football jersey is an excellent way to show support for your team while still looking stylish. You can find jerseys in various colors and styles, so you’re sure to find one that represents your school spirit and personality. No matter what event you wear a college jersey to, it just works, and you can represent fashion at its best– without any effort, just by rocking your favorite football apparel. Simple, yet oh, so trending!
Boyfriend’s College Tee
Depending on how you style the boyfriend’s college tee, this college tailgate party outfit can be dressy or casual. If you want to keep it simple, pair it with denim shorts and sneakers. Add a tailgate jacket or college hair scarf if you’re going to dress up this college tee for extra glam. You can also experiment with jewelry to add some personality to your gameday style.
Another natural way to glam up yourself is the perfect eye shadow! Add a hint of color to your eyes, and your college game day is complete!
Mini Dress and Baseball Cap
A baseball cap looks great with just about anything, especially for college events and with college clothes! One of the best ways to style a baseball cap is with college apparel on game days, like an oversized college tee and shorts. This look is perfect for showing your school spirit while still looking feminine and stylish. The baseball cap amps up your tailgate outfit, and it’s one of the most affordable pieces of college merch you can wear to a game or just to hang out!
Mini Dress
A mini dress is a college girl’s staple. You can find tailgate dresses in various styles, so you’re sure to find one that represents your team (or maybe, your crush’s team). To style a mini tailgate dress, keep it simple with sneakers, a jacket, or a hoodie. You can also add some dangly earrings or a cute bracelet. If you want to go all out, style it with a pair of thigh-high boots and big glitzy earrings.
Two options for rocking a college dress on gameday are:
Tennis Dress in College Colors
You can’t go wrong with a tennis dress in your school colors! The perfect way to sport this tailgate outfit is with your Converse sneakers or thin strappy sandals; you’re good to go! The best part about styling a cute dress for any college tailgate event is that it requires minimal effort –– once you’ve found the right mini dress!
Custom College Apparel
The best custom college apparel is a tailgate t-shirt dress! You can find a tailgate t-shirt dress in several patterns and colors; the sky’s the limit with this beauty! If you want to dress up your look, pair it with ripped jeans and cute wedges. The options for a T-shirt dress are endless!
Cheerleader Tailgate Outfit
A cheerleader tailgate outfit is necessary for any game day! For the cheerleader in all of us, a college tailgating party is the place to be if you want to be with the “cool kids”! So, there’s no other way to enter the next gameday event than to “Bring It On” with pom poms, college gear, face paint, college hair ties, and spirit fingers. Go all out, and get the crowd fired up!
These are the three signature pieces of your tailgating cheerleader outfit:
Tennis Skirt
Tailgating apparel wouldn’t be the same without the college-themed tennis skirt. When sporting the tennis skirt for a preppy look (college students must be the preppy kid at least once in their life), pair it with a button-down shirt and classic loafers. Or you can style it with your fav college shirt and sneakers if you want to go more casual. Don’t forget to add some jewelry with your school colors for a touch of school spirit on game day.
Cropped Baby Tee
There are many ways to style a cropped baby tee at your next college tailgate event! You can pair it with ripped jeans and your favorite sneakers for a casual look, or wear it with cutoff shorts and sandals for a boho look. If your tailgate event is fancy and you want to dress to the nines –– you have two options: tuck this baby tee into a high-waisted skirt or shorts or layered over a collared shirt (for the preppy college parties).
*Reminder: Preppy outfits or parties aren’t bad, so don’t judge; they’re just not for everyone! However, when you CAN rock the preppy style –– you will undoubtedly have a well-rounded sense of fashion.
Adidas Trending Shoes
Adidas shoes are the perfect choice for your next tailgate! You can choose from different trending styles, our favorites? Samba, Spezial, and Gazelle!They’re comfortable, stylish, and go with just about any outfit. Tailgating is about having fun, so make sure you’re comfortable in your shoes!
Y2K Style
This 2000s fashion trend has come back, and we are ready for it! Think denim skirts, college baby tees, and temporary tattoos. To complete this tailgate outfit, add some chunky sneakers or platform sandals. You’ll surely turn heads while cheering on your college football team!
Bring back the 2000s with the following three tailgate essentials:
Denim Skirt
The denim skirt is perfect for any 2000s-inspired outfit; it adds a touch of nostalgia! You can pair this skirt with a college baby tee or tank top for a casual look. Also, try a cropped sweater or bodysuit to dress up this tailgate outfit. Of course, don’t forget your sneakers or platform sandals!
College Baby Tee
This is a must-have for any female college student during football season. You can find them at any college bookstore or even online. They come in different colors and patterns; you can pair them with denim shorts, a skirt, or even sweatpants.
Temporary Tattoos
Temporary tattoos are perfect for college tailgate events. You can get any design, from college logos to football players, they’re easy to apply and last all day.
College Tailgate Apparel
Your school’s bookstore is a great place to stock up on game day essentials. Here’s what to look for.
Official Merch from Your School’s Bookstore
For anyone curious about purchasing official merch from your school’s bookstore, it’s usually the safest and most popular choice for many students. A wide variety of school-sanctioned clothing can be worn to show support for your team, and tailgate apparel typically includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.
You can also find college game day dresses and skirts at many bookstores. Many companies sell college-themed clothing, and these brands typically have a wider selection of items, such as tank tops, crop tops, and shorts.
The three tailgate apparel options at your school’s bookstore include: T-shirts, hoodies and headwear!
Words of Wisdom
Tailgate outfits don’t have to be boring! Whether you’re looking for the perfect game-day dress, denim shorts, or oversized college tee, there are several fashionable tailgate outfit options for everyone, any shape or size.
Tailgating is all about having fun and making memories, so choose an outfit that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful while living it up in college. If you’re unsure what to wear, ask a friend for their opinion (phoning a friend is always acceptable). Also, don’t forget to accessorize your tailgate outfit with baseball caps, earrings, shoes, and even makeup!
Now that you have some college apparel inspiration, it’s time to start your shopping list! What’s your favorite tailgate outfit? Let us know in the comments below! Be safe and healthy this football season!
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What do people wear to a tailgate?
Be casual
The main goals of tailgating are enjoyment and good times. Don’t overcomplicate or overdress the outfit; just choose your favorite pair of jeans and boots. You can kick back and concentrate on having fun while tailgating with cozy sweatshirts, knit sweaters, and even performance wear.
What is tailgate clothing?
Tailgate clothing is whatever you wear to a pre-game party, usually team-colored tees, jerseys, sweatshirts, hats and comfortable shoes that show off your school spirit.
What is tailgate culture?
Often referred to as “tailgating,” a tailgate party is when guests of a major stadium event, such a concert or sports game, arrive early and celebrate in the parking lot. Grilling food, playing games and socializing with friends are common activities at tailgate gatherings.
Kourtney Anderson is a freelance writer for Successible Life and one of its most prolific contributors, covering makeup looks and techniques, skincare routines and ingredients, hair care and beauty shopping guides.