TLDR:

You’ve seen the #BamaRushTok getting ready videos, you’ve seen the over-the-top gender performance of southern PWI gameday outfits. But with two resident HBCU grads on the Honey staff, we need to put you on to the fashion excellence that is HBCU homecoming.

The Breakdown

The thing about HBCU homecoming is that it’s one part family reunion, one part fashion show and the parts vary from triggering social performance to feeling like you can finally take off the weight of the white world for just a few days. Thankfully, we have a North Carolina A&T and Spelman alum on the Honey team, so we are more than excited to talk about our beloved homecomings. Now yes, the rumors are true, NC A&T is called the Greatest Homecoming on Earth for a reason and we’re not here to debate that. What you must know is that hardly anybody goes to the football game, the real highlight is tailgating with your friends and being drunk in public. More than 30,000 people came to the Spelman Morehouse homecoming last weekend. These mass returns to our beloved alma maters are about passion, friendship and love for schools that have culturally poured into us.

The fashions of tailgates are notorious. The trends of next year are reflected in the innovation of young HBCU students and alum who are always pushing the envelope of streetwear when it comes to tailgate.

While the trends vary from campus to campus, you can typically find the statement piece, hairstyle and go-to bag of the season walking around, giving you the fashion show of a lifetime.

Here’s the thing

One thing for certain and two things for sure, an HBCU homecoming will never disappoint when it comes to what some may call ‘the drip’ and others may call ‘the fit.’ Homecoming is about celebration, reunion, support, originality and creativity – fashion operates as one of many ways students, alumni and guests reflect that pride. With the last HBCU homecomings wrapping up this weekend, people are preparing their fits by either looking to on-campus trends like Telfar Tuesdays, seeking out HBCU alumni fashion influencers or hitting up designers for custom made homecoming ensembles.

The takeaway

Pay attention to fashion and culture during HBCU homecoming season. It’s a BFD.

Required reading

The Honey Notes