Your Game Day Outfit Style Guide
Football is baaack! From now until the new year, I'll be spending my Saturdays and Sundays watching football, cooking up delicious game day foods and outfits. I've been tailgating and going to ball games since I was a little girl and every season I try to come up with new ways to sport my team apparel in a fashionable way.
Even though I'm a Tar Heel through and through, I know not everybody rocks Carolina blue. Below you'll also find game day outfit ideas for schools that wear orange/white and red/black, including Clemson, Tennessee, Georgia, NC State, and Ohio State. I'm a good sport like that...but don't @ with me any ideas that I've switched allegiances. (Never gonna happen.) In all honesty, you can adapt any of these looks to match your school's colors. Just follow these core style tips below to make sure your outfit is game ready!
Quick Tips For A Winning Game Day Outfit
We're going beyond a team t-shirt and blue jeans here, y'all. So I'm going to break it down into a few essential tips for how to dress for a football game but make it fashion.
Know your team's official and secondary colors. Every team usually has two primary and one secondary colors. For example, Carolina's are Carolina blue and white, with navy as their secondary color. Navy, not black. Likewise, Clemson's colors are orange and white with purple...not dark blue. Avoid using any unofficial colors as a dominant piece of your outfit.
Denim is always okay. Just because blue isn't a team color, everybody wears blue jeans and denim jackets.
Wear your team colors on top. Your tops and top layers are what show up in the stands, contributing to the overall game day atmosphere. Be sure your shirts, sweaters, jackets, and hats are in line with your team's colors. If you're determined to wear black even though it's not one of your colors, wear black pants or jeans and shoes.
Look for prints and patterns that include your team colors. While utilizing color blocking and team logos is always a fine idea, adding a fun pop of print can take your game day look up a notch. Tar Heels can easily adopt seersucker as a go-to print. Alabama fans should embrace houndstooth, a print not only beloved by their famous coach Bear Bryant but also easy to style with their crimson/black/white color palette. If your mascot is a big cat, go for animal print or a graphic tee.
Layer up with team colors and logos when the temperatures drop. Football is best enjoyed in chilly weather but you've got to dress for it to stay warm and look cool. Start with a team t-shirt as your most basic layer. Layer on top with pieces like hoodies, cardigans, sweatshirts, blazers, puffy vests, and leather jackets. Once the weather gets really cold, wear your warmest coat with a team scarf and knit hat.
When in doubt, apply a temporary tattoo. When you're short on time go with jeans, a solid tee or sweater, and apply a temporary team tattoo to your cheek.
Game Day Outfits To Try
Check out these ten game day outfit ideas divided by school colors. Keep in mind that every look can be tailored to your team with a few color swaps!
If your team wears light blue, white, and navy...
Idea #1: Season Kickoff Summer Dress
NECKLACE (shop Twine & Twig's Game Day Collection)
Idea #2: Early Fall Light Layers
PLAID SHIRT // BLUE COAT // FLARE JEANS // ANKLE BOOTIES // SCARF
NECKLACE (shop Twine & Twig's Game Day Collection)
LEATHER EARRINGS (made locally by Sparkles & Stags)
Idea #3: White Jeans + Jean Jackets
TEAM TEES // DENIM JACKET // WHITE JEANS // ANKLE BOOTIES
Vintage Tar Heel gemstone lapel pin from Shrunken Head circa 1990
Idea #4: Patterned Shirt Over Team Tee
(Apologies for the awkward, deer-in-headlights photos. I forgot to take photos of this outfit and had to take screenshots from the video.)
TEAM TEES // STRIPED SHIRT // SKINNY JEANS // BLAZER // ANKLE BOOTIES
If your team wears red, white, black, and gray...
Idea #5: Printed Shirts + Colorful Pants
PLAID SHIRT // RED TROUSERS // MULES // LIPSTICK
Idea #6: Dressy Layers + Team Knit Hat
TURTLENECK // MOTO LEGGINGS // GRAY COAT // TEAM KNIT HAT // SCARF // ANKLE BOOTIES // LIPSTICK
Idea #7: Casual Layers in School Colors
TURTLENECK // ZIP UP JACKET // PUFFER VEST // MOTO LEGGINGS // KNIT HAT // SNEAKERS
Idea #8: Layers Over Logos
(LOL I can't with this mug shot photo! Again, had to take a screenshot from the video because I forgot to photograph this outfit. My B!)
TEAM TEES // ZIP UP HOODIE // LEATHER JACKET // SKINNY JEANS // SNEAKERS // TEAM HATS
If your team wears orange and white...
Idea #9: Team Tee, Skirt, and Boots
TEAM TEES // CORDUROY SKIRT // WHITE ANKLE BOOTIES // OVER THE KNEE GRAY SUEDE BOOTS // DUSTER CARDIGAN
Idea #10: Colorful Sweater, Cozy Vest
Are you a football fan? Do you go to the games or just come for the tailgate? I live for a cool autumn Saturday tailgating with friends before a big football game. It's basically a southern tradition.
Hopefully I gave you some ideas for what to wear to your next game day or game watch party! Thank you for coming by the blog today -- your time and support mean the world!
xxBrooke