Fall in the South means the return of some of our favorite things: pumpkin spice lattes, monogrammed purse covers, and tailgate parties at football games. I prefer tailgating to the actual game, but don’t tell.
Depending on the team you support, tailgating can be a very different experience. There’s your hard-partying, casual tailgating. For that, wear jeans or cutoffs, a team jersey, and cowgirl boots.
Some college tailgate events are dressy affairs. I’ve never understood this. I have no desire to put on a dress and a strand of pearls before going to a parking lot or field full of thousands of sports fans. Still, I do love looking at the pictures from these events.
For me, I like a fashion middle ground. A Saturday spent at your alma mater cheering for your favorite team should be festive, but functional.
We’re getting ready for some Yellow Jacket football here in Virginia with light layers, cute dark denim, a cross-body bag, and the cutest riding boots ever.
They’re by Dingo and from Country Outfitter. Country Outfitter sent them to me for this sponsored post. I love them—the boots and the store!
The problem is my two daughters wear the same size shoe. I thought I’d be tripling my shoe wardrobe, but really I have no interest in their shoes. I can buy my own Converse.
My girls, however, have given a big thumbs up to my boot collection. Think I’ll ever get a chance to wear these? My red cowgirl boots by Ariat from Country Outfitter haven’t seen the inside of my closet in months.
Getting ready for some football? Here are my top five tailgating tips.
Protect yourself from the sun.
At best, have a canopy with your team’s colors and logo. These are sold online and even at your DIY store. If you do nothing else, have a hat and extra sunscreen. You’re likely to be in the sun for hours. Even as temps cool off, be prepared.
Drink something.
Something non-alcoholic, that is. Even if you are knocking a few back, stay hydrated. Heat stroke will ruin a good time. Put frozen bottles of water (empty them a little before freezing) in your cooler. They’ll keep your food cool, and provide drinking water later.
Pack a small kit of necessities.
Wet wipes, band aids, lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, lady supplies, an external battery for your phone. Think about all those little things you needed but didn’t have LAST time.
Check out Pinterest
…for ideas for food, beverages, decorating, and outfits. Search the hashtags #tailgate #tailgating and #football for the most ingenious ideas. Seriously, tailgaters are clever.
You can’t have enough foil, zipper bags, paper towels, or storage bins.
These make prep, cooking, and cleanup so much easier. And carting all that stuff in and out in bins makes life so much easier.
Bonus tip: cute boots. Cute boots go with any outfit, dressy, casual, or in between. 
Great boots…and down in Texas, we love our tailgate parties!
I have to host a tailgating event for work. Do you think I could expense a pair of books? I’ll tell my boss they’re a bonus. 😉
I spent most of my life in the south. The tailgate parties are just as big as those in the south. The only difference is I no longer live in a state university town. 🙁 So much fun!
I don’t think I’ve tailgated in like 10 years, and my alma mater no longer has a football team. Sad. Although we are going to a MLS game this fall which includes tailgating. Should be fun!
lady supplies. ALWAYS. i am 40 years old and got caught by surprise at fenway a few weeks ago. theres no machines with tampons or pads in fenway. and i had to approach three strangers to ask- no one had any. my husband suggested asking at first aid and that’s where i had luck- but OMG. never again. even if i don’t need one, someone else may.
Great tips. I totally agree with all of these, especially having enough storage. There’s nothing worse than tailgating and then realizing you don’t have enough storage for the leftover food. =/
Haha, the boots are a necessity if you ask me!! I’m hoping to be doing some tailgating of my own very soon!
Love your boots! I love that you brought up sun protection too. That’s important!
super cute boots. i still haven’t found a pair I love. I keep buying boots and giving them to my daughter, she loves all boots. i guess i’m more picky
Great tips. I really like the one about staying hydrated. Drinking alcohol actually dehydrates you, but most people don’t know that.
Staying hydrated is definitely a big deal! It’s easy to get parched out under the southern sun!
Gosh, I love the boots!!! Are you sure about #2? Non-alcoholic? Teehee.
Gosh, I haven’t tailgated since college. But I know the football crowd does it every weekend!
I’ve never tail gated but I can imagine that #4 and #5 are true. Love pinterest for cool ideas and like you said.. can never have enough plastic ware and cutlery
In my next life I’m totally coming back as a Southerner. I love all the boots, traditions and I think I’d love a true tailgating party monograms and all!
Those are great looking boots! Great tips. I’ve never been tailgating, but would love to, one day.
We don’t tailgate much – but those boots are fantastic!!! I kind of want them … 😉
Cute boots are a must for any outfit! Women really wear dresses to tailgate? Seems like more of a jeans kind of event.
I love your boots! I’ve never been tailgating before but it sounds like a LOT of fun!
My Mom and sister live in Tennessee– but I am lost at the monogrammed purse covers. Tailgating is such fun.:)
These are all great tips. I especially love your cute boots tip. I need to find a good pair for this year.
Love the tip about the frozen water bottles. Makes so much sense.
Tailgating is so much fun. You make it look so stylish in those boots!
So fun! I am so excited that it’s football season. Yes, to your last tip! We always forget Ziploc bags.
I have never been tailgating. I would really like to try it this year. I worked at a tailgating event as a brand ambassador and it looked awesome.
Great tips! Some of these I think we tend to forget about even though they are essential. Love the boots too!
Your new boots are so cute and stylish! I love a good, classic look when it comes to boots because I tend to wear them for years and they need to make it through the trends!
I want to attend a tailgate party big time! Thees are great tips!
I love to tailgate! We always have fun games and snacks.
Getting dehydrated when you’re outside can ruin your whole event. Keeping the water coming is a great idea!
I do like those boots. Great tips.
Super cute boots! Up north we aren’t nearly as into college ball as the south, but we do have fairly big tailgates for Ravens games. We travel with a pack of RV’s, so making sure we have the essentials is pretty easy.
hahah I’m always checking out Pinterest for party and tailgate ideas! Love those boots!
Really great tips! Love those boots! Perfect for fall!
Boots and tailgating win at fall. Truly.
Great boots. Thanks for the tips. I’ve never been to a tailgate party.
I DO love those boots!! I haven’t been tailgating in awhile, I should head to campus this year!
I’ve never tailgated but these are great tips! Especially about the frozen water bottles.
I have never been to a tailgate party but they always looks so fun. Great tips!