HBCU homecomings turn general conceptions of collegiate school spirit on their head. Instead of being about football and hunkering down to watch the game in stadiums and local bars, they center around culturally rich festivities, lauded band presentations and performances from some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop.
The football game is certainly still a major part of the ritual of HBCU homecomings, but certain surrounding aspects of homecoming have become equitable spectacles. There are fashion shows, tailgates, concerts and parties. The emphasis placed on style is a huge component of what sets HBCU homecomings apart. But it can be kind of tricky deciding what to wear when you have a day that may start with an 8:00 AM chapel service, followed by a brunch and end with a mile-long bar crawl.
To help you navigate the ins and outs of homecoming fits, we have comprised a guide of dos and don’ts for planning your homecoming outfits so you can successfully navigate the long but fun days whether you are an HBCU alum yourself or just want to bask in the one of a kind vibe of homecoming bliss.
Do Embrace Clogs and Mules
Toeing the line between elevated looks and comfort is king when it comes to the court of HBCU fashion. If you’re going from a football game to a Yardfest concert and then dinner all in one day, you need comfortable shoes. So, sorry to all the well-heeled divas out there; towering footwear might be out of the question. Enter clogs, an admittedly controversial shoe choice but a true gem when it comes to offering some height and balance to a look without compromising your comfort. The last thing you want is to have to cut your homecoming foray short because your feet are bleeding in your So Kates. We can’t all be Zendaya.
Don’t Forget the Importance of Layers
Homecomings and hectic weather are a unified pair if we’ve ever seen one. Since they take place in the mid-to-late fall, it’s likely to have a day that starts chilly, hits a peak by midday and finishes with an evening chill. You probably won’t be able to run back and forth to change each time the wind blows, but you can layer so that you can add or remove as needed. Button-downs and flannels are a great way to add some warmth, but you can also wrap them around your waist if things get a bit too heated because, believe me, things get packed.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Hat
Pulling at the same thread of topsy-turvy weather, sometimes the rain gets the best of us. If you heat style your hair, you already know how detrimental being caught in the rain can be, especially on a day when everyone wants a picture. The quasi-remedy? Hats! Hats! Hats! Specifically baseball caps. You can wear them from the jump if you know it’s going to be raining ahead of time or attach them to your belt loop as a functional accessory. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Don’t Over-pack Your Bags
Look, I know it’s tempting to want to bring your camera, your make-up, backup shoes, etc., but unless you are driving from place to place, which is a treacherous task during HBCU homecoming traffic, then it’s best to downsize where possible. This may mean opting to leave your DSLR camera at home and put your iPhone to work. During homecoming, you want to optimize your time, especially if you traveled far to attend. However, walking around campus feeling like a bag lady will have you ready to cut things short prematurely. Limit yourself to a small bag, and your general homecoming experience will be better. Plus, some football stadiums are strict about the size of the bags you bring, so why risk it?
Do Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time
Time flies during homecoming, so the more processes you can optimize, the better. Take photos of your fits before you pack them so you can make sure you don’t forget anything. If you’re particularly detailed, use your notes app to track exactly what you’re going to wear and to what events. Any way that you can reduce your mental load while you’re at homecoming will only serve to better prep you for your journey of communal bliss.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Pack
I know a lot of us out there think we “work better under pressure,” but I am here to tell you that’s a self-limiting habit best left in our days of dorm room study seshes and 8:00 AM pop quizzes. When we return to our alma mater, we should want to put our best and most prepared foot forward, and packing an hour before you need to leave for the airport is simply not conducive to that goal.
Packing cubes certainly makes this process a lot smoother because you can pack your outfits together to make things as seamless as possible. So, all your brain focus can be spent on making memories and having a blast.
