Coming off of an exciting victory in Vegas, USC fans were itching to return to the Coliseum for the first home game of the season on September 7. But there’s something arguably even more exhilarating than the game… the pregame.
When it comes to game day outfits, it looks like a shift in conference also brought about a shift in confidence. The tailgate cluttered trek to the field has become a bona fide fashion show.
So, after solidifying that we are ‘so back’ on the field, here are The Big Ten Trends that are also winning off of it:
1. These Boots Are Made For Watchin’
Knee high, calf high, cardinal, gold, white — you name it, there’s a boot for it. The TikTok virality of the “coastal grandmother” aesthetic has met its match through a country sister, “coastal cowgirl.”
Between bumping Beyonce and Shaboozey’s ever-trending hits, performing the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders “Thunderstruck” pom routine in the mirror and, most recently, obsessing over “Love Island” star Rob Rausch’s southern charm and style choices, a resurgence of western wear was downright inevitable.
Many fans even went as far as to loop the ear pulls on each side of their boots with tulle and ribbon, another indicator that bows are also here to stay. As a native Texan, it was intriguing to see standard southern football chic make its way to the West Coast. For colleges in the Southeastern Conference, game day boutiques are the norm, complete with ruffled blouses, tiered dresses and flared denim to compliment the quintessential boot. You might as well giddy up and get on it.
2. Jersey Couture
Move over, Snooki. We’ll take the jersey, no shore.
In all seriousness, it’s not groundbreaking to see jerseys at a stadium. However, it is noteworthy to see how people are revamping them — embracing mesh, lace up, oversized and cropped versions, swapping the traditional V-neck out for a baseball style button up or just wearing a cotton ringed tee that resembles the jersey style.
Jerseys are guaranteed to be seen out and about for streetwear in the coming months, given that stars such as Julia Fox, Addison Rae and Bella Hadid can’t seem to get enough of them. So, not only are they a staple game day investment, but they are also a versatile layering piece sure to add color to your wardrobe this season.
3. Daring Denim
Of course we know that low rise has made its comeback, but denim is also defeating athleisure this football season. Despite the heatwave in L.A. over the game day weekend, athletic bottoms were not the overwhelming first choice. Instead, everything from micromini denim skirts to longline jorts braved the blazing sun.
Denim on denim was definitely a common theme — many fans paired their denim bottoms of choice with structured indigo corsets or vests, pulling off a monochromatic look. Others forfeited pairing altogether and went straight for a denim dress or overalls.
Oh, and, let’s not forget the occasional stray letter from the phrase ‘MILLERTIME’ in support of Trojans quarterback, Miller Moss, painted across a bare chest with Levi’s on the bottom. Nothing screams football like a beer reference and denim to compliment it.
4. Short & Sweet
Bloomers and boxer shorts were a fan favorite. Again, a twist on the typical tennis skirt or running short athleisure vibe, but offering a certain heir of comfort that denim simply cannot achieve. Not to mention, they took on the statement piece role for the outfits and made a perfect pair with any boots.
The delicacy of frilly chiffon, lettuce edge hems and lace eyelets made these styles of shorts into the definition of sporty chic. They’re essentially glorified PJs, and that’s a win in everyone’s playbook.
5. Fans... With Fans
‘Hot’ wasn’t enough to describe the mental toughness it took to Fight On for a Saturday of Trojan football. Other overheard weather descriptors included: ‘burning,’ ‘miserable’ and ‘a literal oven.’
There were a myriad of knick knacks to help beat the heat. Mini water bottles to spritz, large water bottles to chug, sweat towels hanging from belt loops. But the most eye-catching one of them all was a wave — or should I say, wind — of nostalgia: hand folding fans. These proved themselves worthy when many found that their electronic fans had lost battery long before the game’s 8:00 p.m. start time.
Besides, waving a fan in front of your face while waiting in line for tailgates is all the drama. Very cutesy. Very demure.
6. Going for Gold
Look, it doesn’t matter what your color analysis tells you, gold looked good on everyone this particular Saturday. Chunky necklaces, jeweled rings, hand chains and Enewton bracelets transitioned from casual wear to straight school spirit.
Stacking and layering made gold jewelry en masse particularly exciting. “SC” pendants on earrings and necklaces made their fair share of appearances too. If silver was spotted, it generally was in a mixed metal fashion.
7. Pin It To Win It
Sleek and subtle wins the race. Rather than having Tommy Trojan, Traveller or the USC logo emblazoned across a shirt, several game goers opted for spirited, circular pins instead. Their placement ranged anywhere from head to hem, some even integrated two pins of different sizes for extra spunk.
It’s the perfect way to root for a team without feeling too on the nose with the rest of your outfit. You’ll have a bigger budget to enhance your closet if you get a bang for your buck with a pin at the bookstore and let your personal style do the rest.
8. Gingham Goals
There was certainly a picnic blanket vibe, courtesy of the cardinal that goes with our gold. But don’t fret, it’s a good thing. Gingham will always make its cyclical emergence through the trend cycle. Gingham was a staple on the runway circa 2017, with brands such as House of Holland and Carolina Herrera featuring the popular pattern in their spring / summer collections.
Many of us probably have a vivid memory of going to school during that time, feeling accomplished after finally retrieving the coveted Brandy Melville gingham dress. Which, by the way, is now so ‘vintage’ you can find it on Poshmark. Yeah, remember the one you had to throw a jacket over because the spaghetti straps weren’t cutting the three-finger width rule? If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find it in the depths of your closet and start a major comeback.
9. Throwing Shade
Even before a 41-0 win, Trojan fans were serving major shade. Oval frames still seem to have taken dominance over rectangular frames, a pattern stemming from both ‘90s inspiration and a few Halloweens ago, when Hailey Bieber made Mia Thermopolis of “The Princess Diaries” a go-to costume for the foreseeable future.
Football season brings about the perfect (and most socially acceptable) opportunity to whip out a pair of Pit Vipers. These iconic shades boast a callback to ‘80s retro, oversized eyewear sitting at the perfect intersection of sports performance, lifestyle and your nose.
10. Precious Cargo
When the Coliseum gives you lemons, make lemonade… by wearing cargo pants. These bottoms, both in traditional and short styles, served both functional and fashionable purpose. The extra pocket space makes the strict bag policy a little bit more tolerable.
However, if you’re a certified bag lover, you might still find yourself wanting to succumb to the pressure of needing your favorite shoulder sidekick. Don’t worry if you have to give in, clear bags have come a long way. The timeless baguette style is available in stadium-approved PVC.
The next game at the Coliseum falls on Saturday, September 28, which gives you plenty of time to curate your next outfit before the Trojans play Wisconsin. Oh, and, it’s parents’ weekend. So make sure you encourage all of your self-proclaimed “cool” family members to vicariously live the college lifestyle through you and these trends.