Show Your Colors
Where to find the best game-day fashion in Houston
When your favorite sport's season rolls around, you're likely ready to whip out the steel blue and battle red, the green and gold, the burnt orange, and more. But if you're still sporting T-shirts from the supermarket or gear from the college bookstore ... well, it's time to update your game-day wardrobe.
In the spirit of CultureMap's newest signature event, The Tailgate, we're celebrating a season of sports with insider intel on all the ways you can enjoy it. (P.S. Tickets are on sale now).
Consider this a style how-to for cheering on your favorite team. Some of these suggestions are local, some are happy to ship to Austin, but all place top priority on outfitting you properly for the big game.
Elizabeth Purpich
Coveting Loreal Sarkisian's sidelines style? It all starts with the iconic Longhorn bag from this Houston-based handbag designer, who even named a mini version of the purse after the UT football coach's wife.
Impeccable Pig
If you want to show your support without a literal logo, head online here or to the two Houston outposts for tons of clothes in team colors. The Game Day collection has everything from cheeky shorts sets and flouncy dresses to headbands, earrings, beaded purses, and booties.
Spirit Snob collegiate wraps
From Longhorns to Red Raiders to Horned Frogs, this line of scarves proudly declares your love for your alma mater (or the Lone Star State as a whole). The Otomi-inspired designs are created by hand by Fort Worth artist Allison Castillo. Not only is the product versatile — wear them as a scarf, sarong, head wrap, or even a halter top — but the company also donates a portion of every wrap sold to a women's college scholarship.
Wrangler Collegiate Collection
From tailgating to the stands, tried-and-true brand Wrangler is reimagining the standard jersey with shirts, sweatshirts, hats, jackets, and even embroidered twill Western snap shirts for UT and A&M, plus eight other non-Texas schools. Of course, you can finish off your look with some classic denim.
Tenenbaum Jewelers
As an Official Sponsor of the Houston Astros, this local jeweler is delivering high-end pieces that really show your spirit. Think coral and lapis, 18K gold, and diamonds, some of it vintage.
Kendra Scott
Of course Austin's favorite jewelry maven has a game day collection. Her ubiquitous designs come in a range of sporty team colors, and are the perfect addition to your fandom (if you're bold) or in-the-know accent to a cute ensemble (if you're subtle).
Zilker Belts
Take your pick from belts named Horned Frog, Raider, and Reveille, after the First Lady of Aggieland. World-class Argentine leather is combined with nylon thread that's artfully hand-stitched in Buenos Aires. Wondering what size to get? A good rule of thumb is ordering two inches larger than your pants size.
Rally House
You weren't expecting us to leave off this game-day staple, were you? It's the go-to place for officially licensed jerseys and other merch that fits everyone on your team, even down to the littles. Even though there aren't any locations in Houston (Waco and College Station are the closest), it's a low threshold for free shipping online.
Now that you're all decked out, check out these top sports bars in Houston. Then mark your calendar for October 27, when The Tailgate is happening at Silver Street Studios.
Early Bird tickets are sold out, but use promo code FASHION15 for $15 off your ticket.
