Subtlety in the Stands
The easiest way to tell game day style has changed? Look at the shoes.
Just two years ago, Frat Row and the tailgate lots were a graveyard of beat-up white Air Force 1s and white high-top Converse—and everyone knew they’d be trashed by the end of the season. Now, it’s cowboy boots and Adidas Sambas. I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the chaos, but energized by the shift toward a more put-together look.
But it’s not just the shoes. UF’s game day fashion has grown up. We’ve ditched the neon and stepped into something more intentional—fashion that speaks volumes about Gator spirit without being covered in wild colors and showy patterns.
My freshman year, in 2023, outfits consisted of at least one brightly colored piece of clothing. Tube tops, athletic skirts and skin-tight dresses came in two colors: neon orange or electric blue. Ribbons were tied strategically around our pigtails and threaded in with the laces of our blinding white Air Forces—at least they were before stepping into the frat tailgates. Game day outfits once screamed school spirit, but today’s looks whisper it.
Burnt orange and light blue are the new staples. Look around and you’ll see minimalist baby tees, striped sets and washed denim with every outfit. The key University of Florida colors are still at the center of most outfits, but you rarely find individuals decked out in both orange and blue. People typically pick between orange, blue or white as their main color, while before we would throw all three together and hope it looked presentable.
Image courtesy of Corrine Speed
Today’s looks are a perfectly curated blend of chic and timeless. We now rely only on a hint of color (mostly from game day pins), focusing more on the aesthetic of the outfit rather than the spirit.
This shift isn’t random, though. Trends cycle fast and UF students are mirroring them. Post-lockdown 2022, people had a “do the most” energy that was expressed through our clothing. Think metallic crop tops, butterfly clips and Euphoria-inspired glitter era of game day outfits. This perfectly matched the flashy, glitter and temporary-tattoo era of game day outfits.
But right now, minimalism trumps all. The “clean girl” aesthetic, Pinterest mood boards and TikTok “Get Ready With Me” culture are all markers of today’s muted looks. Game day fits now have to multitask for both social media and tailgating.
School spirit surely hasn’t disappeared, it’s just been rebranded. Orange and blue are still foundational colors, but, they’re just toned down, styled smarter and mixed with pieces you’d actually wear again (unlike my neon orange terry cloth halter top from Princess Polly).
Image courtesy of Siya Patel
The Strike Guide to Game day Style (2025 Edition)
So you get the gist of why game day outfits have changed. The next step is actually keeping up with the change. Here’s a quick guide of adjustments you can start making to match the current tailgating scene—if you want to. If you still like your neon orange and electric blue, more power to you. I’m not here to cramp your style.
Colors:
You want to be muted but intentional. Retire neon. Swap for burnt orange, rust, navy, cream and light or royal blue. Monochrome fits, like all white or all denim, are perfect as well. Bookstore tees? No shame, we all have one. But crop them, tie them or layer them so they feel styled.
Image courtesy of Finley Schuurmans
Strike GNV’s Finley wears a monochrome navy blue look adorned with striped navy blue shorts. There’s no ode to neon here, and it couldn’t be more perfect.
Shoes:
Cowboy boots. Possibly controversial, but if you take a look around on a Saturday, they are an undisputed game day MVP. White boots are a classic, but light brown ones have slowly been making their appearance. These boots were made for walkin’, and they handle the grass, mud and unknown liquids beautifully.
Adidas Sambas. A little riskier with the terrain but sporty, trendy and perfect with a denim skirt.
Converse. A great choice, white or black. Bonus points if you’re particularly spirited and don a blue or orange pair.
White Air Force 1s. Retired unless you do it right (see example below).
Image courtesy of River Koile
Strike GNV’s River shows up in the perfect minimalist yet colorful shoe choice. Not too much, not too little, and he’s doing the Air Forces right.
Tops:
Baby tees and tanks are replacing neon bandeaus. You can’t go wrong with a basic orange or blue tank top. Gingham is also climbing the ranks. If you’re brave enough, peruse Depop and find some vintage Florida tees to crop or cut the neckline. Also, look for second-hand Florida merch, like the timeless “Turn Up or Transfer” tank top or minimalist gator logo tanks.
Image courtesy of Lexi Martinez-Monfort
Strike GNV’s Lexi and her friend Grace Daughtrey go the elevated basic route. These matching sets paired with white cowboy boots are a 10/10.
Bottoms:
Denim mini skirts remain a classic, but invest in some denim skorts—trust me. Vintage cuts with frayed hems will always be best, but some of us can’t get that lucky at the thrift. That one Edikted orange flowy skirt is a staple. Is it overdone? Maybe. Did I wear it last game day? Of course. White cargo skirts are a tried-and-true choice as well.
If you’re not a fan of skirts, micro shorts are on the rise everywhere, and that includes within the realm of game day attire. You can do blue or white denim micro shorts, striped crochet ones or a little linen pair. I’ve even seen Florida athletic shorts pulled off on game day.
And as it gets colder, bring out the baggy jeans. Dark denim has become popular with a baby tee or graphic tee with the neckline cut, and, best of all, it doubles as gator blue. You can also pair with a plain tank top.
Image courtesy of Alessia Lavayen
Strike GNV’s Alessia and her friends Annaleis Holz and Emily Miulli turn casual denim into a game day statement: light wash jorts and mini skirts paired with white tops.
Sets + Accessories:
The newest addition to the Swamp game day attire is the matching sets. Striped knit blue and orange sets are all over, and so are linen and denim sets. The biggest is definitely the dark blue denim set, which is, yet again, from Edikted (not sponsored).
Accessories have definitely changed the game. Out with the sticker face decals, temporary gator tattoos, glitter and neon ribbon. In with sunglasses, game day pins, gold jewelry and cool belts. Hair is the obsession of the season, with more people flaunting impressive hairstyles like the half-up-half-down, pigtails, French braids, slick backs and bouncy curls.
Image courtesy of Lily Yaus
Strike GNV’s Lily and her friend Mia Langford skip the stickers and go for gold jewelry, colorful game day pins and orange gingham ribbon—simple, but polished.
But before the stylistic vision comes to life, Gainesville presents the biggest fashion test of them all:: Can your outfits survive the tailgate, the Swamp and Midtown? If your fit can't make it past kickoff, then it might not be 2025 game day approved.
The shoes told the story first, but the whole outfit followed. Game day fashion at UF has evolved from neon chaos to muted sophistication. From disposable to curated.
The neon was bold and statement-making, but so is the cowboy boots and matching sets. And if the past two years are any indication, game day style isn’t just about repping orange and blue anymore. It’s about making smart choices—like picking pieces you can wear again—that keep your closet versatile and a little kinder to the planet. And, of course, it’s about how you style it and whether it makes the photo dump.
Strike out,
Sofia Bravo
Gainesville
Sofia Bravo is a writer for Strike Magazine Gainesville. When she’s not forcing her friends to pose for her digital camera, you can find her remodeling her Spotify playlists for the hundredth time or starting another book she knows she won’t finish. You can reach her on Instagram, @sofiebravo, or by email at sofiebravo26@gmail.com.
