By Alexandra Solberg
With the comforting sight of white polyester tents beginning to bloom around the stadium, accompanied by consistent rows of foldable tables and food trucks, the Razorbacks know only one thing can be coming: game day. As the excitement following the year’s first home game continues into Arkansas vs. A&M week, it is the perfect time to reflect on the evolution of game-day fashion.
Among the Hogs, football games go beyond just a sporting event. It is a community of fans who showcase their love for the University of Arkansas through cheers, chants and most importantly clothing. Game day is a time when fashion meets fervor and the stadium becomes a runway for roaring fans. Over the years, game-day apparel has significantly evolved.
In the 1970s, you could often see a college student with a simple, themed T-shirt and jeans in the stands. George Bilrosky, a former student at the U of A, explains that “it was all about mixing school spirit with comfortability.”
The ‘90s saw a shift toward athletic branded merchandise, with fans wearing licensed caps and jackets. When flipping through The Razorback, 1995 it is prominent among the students that a new attitude towards apparel was forming. This era saw a blend of sporty, on-the-field looks make their way into the crowd. This was closely followed by the 2000s laid-back hoodies and sweatpants, ensuring comfortability made a comeback.
Today, the dynamic donning of students ranges from carefully coordinated outfits to full body paint paired with a hog hat. One student shared that they have had their game day outfits planned ever since they received their acceptance letter.
Game day outfits are more than just the clothes fans wear but rather the spirit that fuels them. The camaraderie among fans is palpable as they come together, dressed in red, ready to cheer on the Hogs.
Matthew Levy, a die-hard Razorbacks fan, said, “I have been coming to games for over 10 years now and there is nothing better than being swept up in the spirit of the red.”
The psychology behind game day dress is fascinating. In the article “Do uniform colors matter in sports?” by Geoff Haddock, it is shown that team colors and themed outfits enhance a sense of belonging and therefore improve these memorable experiences. Fan fashion is an outlet to declare loyalty and visually support their team.
“Seeing everyone around me dressed up can’t help but put a smile on my face and get me excited for the game,” said Amanda Barraza, a student sitting amongst the roaring crowd. “It is strange how connected it makes you feel to the unfamiliar faces you pass, when you see someone in red, there is a subtle understanding between the two of you.”
Dr. Leigh Southward, the associate professor of apparel merchandising and product development, implements Red Glow Friday among her students, a tradition dating back to 2014, where students are encouraged to wear red to classes the day before the first home game. “My hope in the students wearing red is to let the athletes know that we are supporting them,” Southward said. “I want to encourage my students to think about the university and this seems like an easy way to do it.”
Wearing red is not the only way fans show support during games. You can often find a group of students with their chests painted to display an assigned letter, walking in a formation to spell out “WOO PIG.” It is also a comical sight to see an abundance of red and white, circus-striped pants being sported by highly enthusiastic individuals.
It would be abashing to fail to mention the unspoken uniform among the male attendees. Most stick to the classic khaki shorts paired with a collared shirt depicting some image of a hog. You can often overhear exchanges of polo shirt compliments followed by a remark about having the same shirt in their closet. As for the more adventurous among them, the male viewers can be seen in anything from cut-up tank tops to chunky overalls that are worn bare.
It is admirable to see how far fans are willing to go to establish their support. However, there are a few essentials to ensure the most enjoyable game day experience. Abby Austin, the owner of A-Team Collections, commented on the need for a tall boot to combat the admittedly too many times she has been without a practical shoe.
“We strive to offer cool but comfortable shoes to take on long game days and the taxing hills on campus,” Austin said.
A large part of her college consumers have proven there is no limit to how dressy they are willing to get. Austin said she finds people fully leaning into styling entire outfits with versatile pieces that can be worn in different ways. She focuses on finding the balance of fashion pieces while maintaining a selection of classics. Austin stated a huge influence on game day style is being able to pair the two together.
Austin notes the re-emergence of animal prints within the 2024 game day looks. She said she finds the comeback of cheetah print to be less enticing for her alumni consumers but rather the current U of A customers to be fully on board.
“Although it is a current trend, history always repeats itself and it will continue to come back again and again. It’s a trend worth investing in for sure.”
Looking back on popular game day trends, they quite often recycle themselves. Vintage apparel and second-hand consumption have no doubt solidified their place in the fashion industry. This is no different for game day trends as retro jerseys and vintage graphics pop up in the stands. When asked about eco-conscious shopping surrounding game day outfits, many students vocalized how they do their part.
“It’s important to invest in pieces that you will wear more than once, otherwise it quickly becomes detrimental to our planet,” said Loreli Gergins, a U of A student majoring in Earth science.
Along with the benefit to our planet, shopping sustainably can lead you to find unique and nostalgic pieces that stand out from the mass produced items.
Looking around the stadium you cannot help but notice the subtle details showcasing the amount of thought and effort many students put into their game day attire. These range from small craft ribbon bows tied to the top of cowboy boots to the ever-present gingham patterns, speckling mini skirts and game day pins.
Bringing home a 10-point victory for the first home game has ignited a spark among the U of A. As fans continue to push football fashion, there are no limits to where the further evolution will lead. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a casual observer, a convenience consideration or an avant-garde leader, there is something magical about the way game days bring people together.
