Game Day Gear

While I’ve been home, I’ve gotten to go to two Illinois Basketball games! The Braggin’ Rights game versus Mizzou in St. Louis (where I happened to run in to a Bows & Sequins reader!) and the annual United Center game in Chicago (where we way-to0-closely beat Auburn).

If you’re new around here, Illinois is my alma mater and I am an avid Illini basketball and football fan! I was born bleeding orange & blue, if you will.ย My parents have had season tickets to both Illinois football and basketball games since before I was born so I have been to quite a few games.

In my humble opinion, a sports game is no excuse to wear a generic t-shirt in public. Over the years, I’ve become pretty good at finding cute game day options that don’t include jerseys or sweatshirts! Don’t get me wrong, I have a few Illini jerseys and I’ve been known to wear them to football games, but I much prefer a cute orange and blue outfit.

Gameday Gingham Details:

J.Crew Gingham Shirt / J.Crew Short-Sleeved Sweater (old, similar here) / J Brand Jeans / Cole Haan Orange Loafers / Michael Kors Two-Tone Watch / J.Crew Enamel Rhinestone Bracelet / J.Crew Pavรฉ Link Braceletย / Kate Spade Bow Ring

^^ If you were wondering.. Yes, I bought “the loafers” in a second color! You just can’t beat the comfort of the Nike Air Technology! And I rarely turn down a chic pair of orange shoes. I blame my mother for that one.ย My mom has raised me to always be on the lookout for a cute orange top, bag, or shoes. Seriously, it’s like engrained in my brain. Even though I live in New York and rarely go to games these days, I still find myself gravitating towards pumpkin-hued pieces. Heck, maybe that’s where the pumpkin-fever comes from.ย My hometown school colors were also navy and orange so it worked out well.

Here’s a funny story about my family’s orange & blue roots… I was a sophomore in high school and wanted a designer purse. Dooney & Bourke was all the rage back then and I really wanted a bag. Knowing my mom wouldn’t give a 15-year-old a few hundred dollars for a bag (I think it was $165 at the time), I had to get strategic. I found an orange Dooney & Bourke Barrel Bag at Nordstrom and was crossing my fingers that the (former) Indianapolis Nordstrom would have it in stock during the Big Ten Tournament. Sure enough, they did! And convincing my mom that I needed an orange purse was much easier than convincing her that I needed a designer purse. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Gameday Stripes Details:

J.Crew Silk Striped Shirt (similar) / J.Crew Orange Blazer / J Brand Jeans / Sam Edelman Boots / Michael Kors Two-Tone Watch / J.Crew Enamel Rhinestone Bracelet / J.Crew Pavรฉ Link Braceletย / Kate Spade Bow Ring

For other Illini Inspirations

Outfit #1 / Outfit #2 / Outfit #3 / Outfit #4 / Outfit #5ย / Outfit #6ย / Outfit #7

Shop the Post

Don’t forget! If you’re wearing sequins tonight, make sure you tweet/instagram a picture of your look with #sequinseason. I’ll post my favorites on my Facebook page! Not a Twitter or Instagram user? Post your picture on my Facebook wall or email me! ๐Ÿ™‚

Current Faves

Leave a Comment

29 Comments

  1. 12.31.12
    Chelsea said:

    Super cute outfits and I couldn’t agree more about dressing the colors instead of grabbing just a t-shirt.

    http://cchicc3.wordpress.com

  2. 12.31.12
    Ashley said:

    Dressing in a cute game day outfit by representing your team colors is a good idea. I’m guilty of taking the lazy route at times!

  3. 12.31.12
    Elise said:

    Great looks! I-L-L

  4. 12.31.12
    Mandy DeTurk said:

    Very cute!

  5. 12.31.12

    Love them both, but the 2nd look is my favorite…how cute that your loafers match your sweater in that first outfit! ๐Ÿ™‚

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

  6. 12.31.12
    Carly said:

    Gotta love a good game day post, even if its not for my badgers!

    xo
    http://www.carlyonqueue.blogspot.com

    • 1.1.13
      Dr. Dad said:

      ROSE BOWL day – Go Badgers!

  7. 12.31.12

    OMG…aren’t cole haan shoes SO comfy?!?! i am loving these loafers!!! orange really suits you…love it on you.

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

  8. 12.31.12

    I love both versions . The orange sweater and orange loafers are so cute!

    Amy

    Fashion and Beauty Finds

  9. 12.31.12

    Love the color combo! Great outfits for the games!

    xo Emily Beth

  10. 12.31.12
    Anngelik said:

    Love the color of the shoes and sweater! The second outfit is amazing with the jacket and boots!

    -Vogue&Heels
    vogueandheels.wordpress.com

  11. 12.31.12
    Jill O'Dea said:

    So cute! I am headed to the Sugar Bowl Wednesday in New Orleans. Go Gators! Different blues, but same orange–will be wearing a belt your mama passed down to me! Love the jacket and cool boots!

  12. 12.31.12
    Michelle said:

    The second outfits my favorite! Love the story about the D&B purse, smart! Although I didn’t go to U of I (I received a sports scholarship to a different school so I had to turn down my acceptance letter ๐Ÿ™ ) I am a huge Illini fan as well & spent many a nights having fun at Firehaus, Joes, Clybournes, etc while visiting my friends! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Happy New Year!!
    –Michelle

    Fierce & Fashionable

  13. 1.2.13
    Nicole said:

    I was at the Braggin’ Rights game too! Although, I was cheering for “the other” team (cough…thewinners…cough) ๐Ÿ˜‰ It was a fun game to be at! Cute outfit though! I was definitely in the “comfort” over “cute” category, however as I was driving home to Columbia, MO right after the game!

  14. 1.3.13
    AJ said:

    I LOVE your gameday outfits! Being almost 30 but still loving sports games, I feel silly wearing a tshirt or hoodie sometimes. These are both great outfits to wear to a basketball game or a warm football game!

    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.blogpsot.com

  15. 1.3.13
    Shanna Johnson said:

    Ok, so I’m sure you’ve been asked this before, and you’ve probably answered before, but I have to re-ask. How do you do your hair? It’s so cute & I love the way it curls. So, could you share your secret(s)? ๐Ÿ™‚ By the way, I love your blog! I stumbled across it about a month ago & I’ve been checking it everyday. You have a great fashion sense, in my opinion, and you always come up with such cute outfits! Such a cutie!

    Shanna

  16. 1.3.13

    LOVE all the orange! Especially paired with the black and white patterns – such a refreshing look!

    Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca

  17. 1.4.13
    Liz said:

    I can’t believe I just saw this post! Can’t believe we lost to Purdue too ๐Ÿ™ But seriously so much love for cute U of I outfits… def better than anything the book store or Victoria Secret sells! I-L-L!

  18. 1.5.13
    elle said:

    i love that navy stripe top. if you ever decide to sell it let me know. ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. 1.7.13

    Only you could make game day apparel looks this chic! Love it.

  20. 2.15.13
    Liz H said:

    The D&B purse made me laugh. I had a hot pink one back in the day and thought it was the best!

  21. 4.5.13
    Caroline said:

    Love the outfits! A great post and I couldn’t agree more about generic t-shirts. Ugh.

    I just did a post for March Madness and included your photo and link!
    Thanks for the inspiration!

  22. 5.22.16
    Martha said:

    You look great in orange blazers.

  23. 5.22.16
    Sung Barnwell said:

    Your shoes are really great and I really love your style. http://flatbellyovernightpdf.com/

  24. 6.20.16

    You look awesome in orange top and I like you.

  25. 6.21.16

    I love your long shoes as they are awesome.