It’s Saturday at 7 a.m. While you may sleep through half of your early morning lectures, this is the one day a week you don’t press snooze. It’s college football day in America and for sports fans and novices alike that means one thing—tailgating!
Whether you go to a school of hundreds or tens of thousands, it easy to get lost in the shuffle of an “okay” tailgate. A true Fashionista settles for anything ordinary.
So here are our nine things to do to make sure your next tailgate is totally #RAD!
1. Rock a pair of chic sneakers. Because stilettos and tailgating fields don’t mix.
2. Rise and shine. Unlike most events, being fashionably late to a tailgate means you miss out on a prime location and half the fun. Rule of thumb—don’t be tardy to this party (and the early morning breakfast spreads).
3. Sport your school colors. Don’t go out and buy a basic T-shirt from your campus bookstore. Show school spirit in an unconventional and fashion-forward way—like a colored jacket or oversized scarf.
4. Bring the noise. No one wants to hear your school’s fight song for the 732 time before the game has even started. Put together a creative playlist of current jams and throwback tunes that will get your friends going and have them saying, “OMG I love this song.”
5. Just say “no” to face paint. Face paint is one of those things that sounds good in theory. Then 20 minutes in, the temperature rises and you have illegible writing bleeding down your cheek. Go for a bold lip instead for a statement look with lasting power.
6. Snack on. Questionable hotdogs and broken potato chips are so clichè. Be the hero of the tailgate by bringing fun and delicious snacks to munch on. Because no one in the history of tailgates (or the world) has ever been sad when homemade chocolate chip cookies, trail mix and/or mozzarella and tomato skewers get busted out.
7. What’s this “football” thing all about? Fun fact: Tailgating is a precursor to an actual event—the football game. (Who would have thought?) So be sure to study up, learn the basic rules of the game and get to know some key players. That way you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge and title of being “super sporty” now or whatever.
8. The forgotten tailgating essentials. Sure, good food, drinks and a prime location are key. But let’s not forget about the often forgotten tailgating essentials. Be sure to pack some hand sanitizer, sunscreen, travel umbrella, band aids and, of course, mini sizes of your favorite condiments. (I’m looking at you, Cholula.)
9. Most importantly. Have fun by celebrating your school, friends and this time-honored college tradition in style!
