Celebrating Southern - Gameday Attire

So far we've celebrated Southern hair/makeup, and Southern food/beverages.

Today we're moving right along to Gameday Attire in the South.

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They say that football in the south is akin to religion...

and that's probably about right.

In South Carolina, right after, "So where are you from?" and "Who are your parents?" comes, "Clemson or Carolina?"

My whole life I have felt like a collegiate football misfit because honestly, "Neither."

I have no family ties to either school, and Eric and I went to Winthrop University, which used to be all women, and therefore has no football team. 

Except...

Eric's younger brother, Kevin, is attending Clemson in the fall so we might finally have a team connection!

A primary goal of ours is for our children to attend big football schools.

Just kidding.

Except not entirely.

Our "family team" is an NFL team - The Pittsburgh Steelers, as Eric's entire family is originally from Pittsburgh. 

However...

we also thoroughly enjoy collegiate football in the fall. 

(We thoroughly enjoy any kind of football, truth be told.)

Ahhh nothing thrills my soul more than a crisp fall day,tailgating, and a good football game.

With most things in the South, Southern girls either do it big, or go home.

Football is no exception.

First essential, ladies:

Pearls.

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Don't show up without them.

A necklace, a bracelet, earrings, or multiples of each...

it makes no difference.

But thou must wear pearls to a Southern collegiate football event.

Want practicality that still makes a statement?

These Ralph Lauren oversized pearl studs are my favorites, 

and you can pick them up at Macy's. 

Above is a similar pair from an Etsy seller - only $22.

Once you have the one required essential down, there are a variety of options for attire.

But the rumors you've heard are true...

there's nothing casual about game day attire in the south.

We like dresses.

We like heels.

We like pearls.

We like lipstick.

And we like all of the above, even at football games. 

 Now, if you have a religious team affiliation already,

then you probably know exactly where to find all of the cute custom outfits such as:

 here, here, and here

Heck, you probably even deck your littles out.

here and here

But for those of you without a team affiliation who might be invited to games with friends,

you probably don't want to spend a ton on a team-specific outfit for just one day.

Ladies...here's how to shop your closet and get yourself up to speed for a Southern game day.

1) Grab your basics.

Nice jeans and a white top, or a comfy little black dress. You need a good, solid piece to build on. 

If one of your team's colors are black or white, you're in luck.

Yes, jeans are fine as long as you dress them up a bit. 

2) Build with accessories and layers.

Going to a Clemson game? I added a purple cardi and orangeish bubble necklace to a basic white top, jeans, and wedges.

Going to a UGA game? I added a red skinny belt, black wedges (btw, I just bought these on sale at Target last week for $17), and pearls to an otherwise basic black dress (that I bet you all have in your closet).

3) Add your pearls. 

And add more pearls.

Oh, and just one more strand of pearls.

As for our men,

we like 'em in khakis, button downs, polos, button downs, and loafers.

(Not all together, of course.)

Sometimes they go all out...

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 But for most, a button down in team colors will do, 

with khaki shorts or pants,

and a nice pair of loafers.

here and here 

(Eric has these shoes, and I adore them.)

Got it ladies?

Just remember the cardinal rule - don't forget your pearls.

Think we're high maintenance and prissy?

I suppose we never claimed not to be :)