A good old-fashioned Penn State football game is one of my favorite experiences. I love tailgating in the lots with friends, enjoying a chicken basket, and wearing my big jersey or whatever comfy Penn State gear I feel like.
For me, what always makes Penn State football games special is the authenticity. It’s an amazing experience to take in Beaver Stadium and live in the moment while cheering on my home team.
Unfortunately, like many things today, Penn State football games are becoming more of a display than something to enjoy. SEC fashion influencers have convinced college students that showing up to a game without your Sunday dress is essentially a crime.
Tailgates aren’t really tailgates, but just another photo op for Instagram. Jerseys and jeans are being replaced with semi-formal dresses, collared shirts, and dressy boots.
SEC-like fashion is robbing the Big Ten of its genuine, down-to-earth identity.
We need to stop dressing like the SEC and embrace being the Big Ten.
I used to love showing up to games in my worn-but-loved Penn State sweatshirt and sneakers. Now, it’s just not good enough.
Everyone around me constantly poses for pictures in perfectly planned outfits from upscale boutiques. No one even eats tailgate food anymore, afraid to spill on their fancy clothes. I feel like I got lost at the fashion show on my way to the football game.
Of course, people will say, “Mind your own business. Why do I care what the people around me are doing? Why can’t I just dress how I want?”
My answer is that the SEC gameday style is more than just clothes; it’s a mindset. I miss the times with my friends when we didn’t worry about taking pictures for social media or what other people thought of our outfits. We just enjoyed each other’s company and some football.
We shouldn’t be trying to paint a picture of the perfect gameday for social media. We should just be having fun for ourselves. We try so hard to impress our friends that we miss out on our own college experiences.
The Big Ten has always been about wearing school spirit on your sleeve. We embraced bright, sometimes tacky, logo apparel from the bookstore instead of frowning on it. We were happy to wear whatever we pleased. Being a Penn State fan means showing up as yourself, rain or shine, to support the Nittany Lions.
So, for the next Penn State football game, pull out your lion ears, face stickers, baggy jerseys, and that favorite pair of jeans. Take back the game for yourself. Embrace the Big Ten’s authentic comfort, and leave the SEC style behind.
Sincerely,
A tired Penn State fan.
Gracie is a second-year broadcast journalism and political science student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is in the Schreyer Honors College, and her favorite topics to cover are student life and news! You can contact her at [email protected].