Oh Saturday mornings in Ann Arbor, how we love you. Waking up to the sounds of “gameday!!!!” Being shouted through the paper thin walled hallways of your markley dorm room or sorority house. Hearing the opening beats of “closer” by the Chainsmokers coming from your neighbors next door and the Michigan fight song chanted through the streets. It doesn't matter that it’s 8 am…. nobody sleeps on a sacred Saturday morning. It's Saturday, it's game day. That's what we do here at the university of Michigan, Saturday's are for the wolverines. If you don't attend the university I'm sure you think the most important part of autumn Saturdays as a student at UofM is the football right? Well… sort of. While most of us crowd into the big house or around a TV somewhere to cheer on our victorious (five weeks in a row hail yea baby) football players every Saturday, game day is not just about the football. The tailgate culture at the University of Michigan is outrageous. We practically bleed maize and blue every game day as thousands of victors trapeze through the streets, dripping with school spirit, looking for the nearest slap the bag, keg, and elevated surface to honor the division one sport of big ten football tailgating. The university alumni have spent years perfecting the art of the tailgate and there is no sight quite like a Saturday morning in Ann Arbor. Work hard, play hard isn’t the motto for nothing.
Tailgating is awesome, and there are a few things that go into making the most of a Saturday here at Michigan. It could be argued that the football, drinking games, fraternity parties, and big house are the most important part of game days, however, I have put together a look inside one of the most important parts of game day. Most of us can attest to standing on a twenty minute line at the M den or laying out game day outfit out the night before the game. So with the help of some of Michigan’s most stylish lady tailgaters here's a look inside an essential part of gameday: big ten football fashion.
Look #1 The oversized t-shirt look
First of all, mad props to these two tailgate superstars (Savannah Litton top & Olivia Binke bottom) for gettin’ crafty and adding their own flair to these oversized t-shirts. The oversized t-shirt look is a power move for a seasoned tailgater. Lately many people have been sporting the “Michigan family” t shirts- which Sav hilariously made a Michigan daddy shirt. To reiterate the statement on Olivia’s shirt: Nobody. Nobody has it better than us.
Look #2 the overalls look
A classic for both male and females on game day is the overalls look. A popular style is cutting them short (crafty yet again) but some people can for sure pull off the full length. As you can see there are many different ways to style a pair of overalls for game day as seen on the top image (Eli Rallo, purchased at the Mden) & the bottom (DIY Alpha Phi sorority). Either way, I’d 100% recommend finding a game day to sport some overalls- preferably with a UMICH themed tank underneath.
Look #3 the oversized jersey
What better way to support the fine sport of American football then overlooking a frat party in a oversized male football jersey? A staple for every tailgater’s closet is the oversized jersey. A football jersey is seen on the top on Bailey Forde, and a hockey jersey (major key when it get’s chilly) is seen on Sydney Buchanan.
Look #4 the girl gang look
Possibly one of the most important looks for game day is the #girlgang look. Every shade of maize & blue looks better when you got your girls there w/ you. Sported by the uber fashionable ladies of Sigma Kappa, Alpha Chi Omega & Delta Gamma- these ladies are killin’ the tailgate game.
Look #5 The cheerleader skirt
Call us basic, but many Umich tailgating ladies love to rock the cheerleader skirt on game days. The skirt is often sported by many girls in greek life, but a big trend lately has been the plain white tennis skirt & Michigan crop top. Sported above by the ladies of AXO and Alpha Phi sororities.
#6 the all maized out look
Technically we’re supposed to wear maize on gameday so we thank these two ladies (Marina Gialanella bottom and Emily Goodrich top) on sporting maize and looking adorable while doing it.
Look #7 the michigan bandeau 
Always a classic game day go to is the Michigan bandeau. The ladies above from AXO and Alpha phi look absolutely adorable in their game day attire. The bandeau is a warm weather game day outfit choice so I would advise to try and wear it soon because evidently our warm weather game days are running out.
Look #8 the cropped tee
Simple and timeless, the t-shirt crop top is the move for any Michigan fan with a tshirt and a pair of scissors. Seen above on the right on Evon Yao with pal Danielle Affrunti, the game day cropped tee is the perfect choice for an early game when the sun still beats down on the fan section.
Look #9 the basketball jersey
The basketball jersey (worn as a dress) is clearly one of the greatest ideas any Michigan fan has ever had. Not only is it comfortable it’s adorable & keeps you cool on a warmer game day. Seen on Mia Chelemen and Kelly Grove (top) and Jaclyn Prucha (bottom).
Look #10 FTB (for the boys)
This article would not be complete without representation from my favorite game day fashionista Connor Murphy. Connor has not gone one game day without sporting his infamous “jorts” which are a fashion move within itself. Rain or shine, 80 degrees or 10 degrees, Connor never forgets the jorts as his game day staple. Other notable game day fashion choices by Connor include: hawaiian button down, basketball jersey and most recently “Sigma Kappa dad’s weekend tshirt” (thanks for the plug). Although game day fashion seems to be #forthegirls Connor definitely makes game day fashion #fortheboys.
Go blue!!!
