For Auburn students, choosing a game day outfit is almost as important as selecting their seat in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game day traditions that Auburn celebrates have many elements, but navy and orange outfits remain the core of game day culture and school spirit. Every year, southern boutiques across town stock up on trending clothes, new sunglasses and creative game day pins to help students create the “Auburn look” that the campus is known for.
Despite the scorching Alabama heat, fans perfect their outfits with personalized clear purses, face stickers or matching orange and navy ties.
“Unlike most other schools where jerseys are a game day staple, stylish dresses and polo shirts or coats and a tie are essential to the game day culture here,” said Olivia Williams, sophomore in interior design.
Planning one’s outfit many months in advance is a common strategy in Auburn, and many people actually have their outfits before the school year even starts.
These long game days are celebrated in many ways, but photos are a constant activity for the students in Jordan-Hare. These perfected outfits are ideal for taking memorable photos, sending selfies to friends or posting on social media to accomplish a certain, uniquely Auburn aesthetic.
Although many SEC schools dress up for game days, Auburn’s influence on the tradition of southern charm creates an environment that embraces modesty on game days.
“Auburn’s sense of community is what makes it such a happy place, and our modest game day culture makes it so fun to dress up,” said Lily Smith, sophomore in marketing.
Rather than dressing to impress others, fans embrace their own style with striped patterns, new hairstyles or fun boots, adding a touch of special SEC flair.
As an Auburn tradition, freshman fraternity pledges attend tailgates dressed in a coat and tie, with their game day date who spends the full day with them.
Many students also accessorize their outfits with customized pins that represent certain organizations or Greek life affiliations. The pins add another element of creativity and pride to fashion choice for each game, and for many students, the pins are game day staples.
“Some of my friends have started making their own businesses where they create and sell fun game day pins each week,” said Josie Bain, sophomore in accounting.
These playful twists on fashion create a personal flair for each student, and all the looks culminate to create a sea of coordinated outfits for game day.
The game day culture here is an unparalleled experience, and the fashion choices in Auburn are endless. From tailgates to Tiger Walk and Toomer’s Corner, fans’ orange and blue outfits are spotted everywhere, representing the Auburn school spirit that is respected nationwide.
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