What to wear and what not to wear on the (seemingly) hottest days of the first Boulevard.
By Lizzie Sexton
Welcome back, Mustangs! After a long, hot summer, it’s time to get back to what we do best: Boulevard. In case you live under a rock, the first SMU home football game and Boulevard take place on September 10th, and the suspense is killing the student body. While the countdown-clock ticks down, here are a few dos and don’ts for the biggest event of the Fall semester: SMU Boulevarding.
Wait… There’s A Dress Code?
Do: Wear brunch chic, summer attire.
Don’t: Wear casual, athletic attire.
If this is your first Boulevard, you might feel like SMU gear is the best choice for a hot Dallas gameday. You’d be incorrect. Traditionally, SMU students wear casual-cute attire, such as sundresses, rompers, or a nice top and skirt, that takes them straight from
the brunch table to the stadium. Instead of Mustang merch, opt for red, white, and blue to cheer on the team! And don’t forget: for the first Boulevard of the season, wear white!
These Boots Were Made for Boulevarding
Do: Wear comfortable/cute shoes.
Don’t: Wear your most uncomfortable heels or shoes you haven’t yet broken in (I’ve made that mistake before…).
Much like your clothing attire, your shoes matter just as much, if not more. While the SMU students favor outfits more on the dressier side, don’t be fooled: heels are probably not your friend this Saturday. If you’re hitting the Boulevard, be prepared to do a lot of walking and talking. Instead of 4-inch-heels, opt for cute sneakers, sandals or boots.
Beat the Heat
Do: Dress for hot weather.
Don’t: Expect a cool, 70-degree day.
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it: First Boulevard is hot and you will sweat. Although we can’t exactly turn down the temperature outside, we can dress to impress while sweating less. When picking out your white dress for the first Boulevard, make sure it has an extra lining to avoid obvious sweat stains, and do not wear long sleeves. Also, maybe opt for an up-do hairstyle to keep unnecessary heat off your neck. Bring sunglasses (!!), wear minimal, cream-base makeup (powder products may look and feel cakey in the heat), and wear deodorant for… obvious reasons.
Only the Essentials
Do: Bring your go-to products for a long day.
Don’t: Bring too large of a bag or unnecessary clutter.
When accessorizing your outfit for gameday, don’t forget to bring a small, stadium-size bag. It’s important to have everything you could possibly need for a long– did I mention hot?–day on the Boulevard. When stocking your purse, don’t forget to include lip balm/gloss/stick (whichever you prefer), hair ties or a clip, your student ID for admittance, and maybe consider investing in oil blotting sheets. Last year, my friends and I stuffed paper towels in our purses for quick touch-ups on the go. Just be prepared.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, SMU Boulevarding is an important holiday here in Dallas. Students, professors, parents and alumni look forward to the event every September and take pride in the tradition. Whether it’s your first Boulevard or your last, come on out to support the Stangs and feel your best doing it! See you Saturday!
Lizzie Sexton
