So, confession: I hate football. Well, hate is a little strong. I am apathetic towards football. It was a huge deal back at UVA, and it’s essentially Mr. Magpie’s third love in life {behind me and baseball…or maybe fourth, behind me, beer, and baseball}, so it appears that it’s going nowhere fast and I know I’d better just bite the bullet and accept its unwelcome seasonal presence in my life. But. The games are long, the rules are tedious, and it usually involves standing outside in cold weather for an afternoon watching a ball move a few yards per hour as I lose circulation in my toes. {And then there’s Fantasy Football, which has earned an entirely different level of notoriety in this little Magpie’s “burn book.” But that’s another issue entirely.} BUT. The tailgates. Now that’s a different ballgame. And the further south you go, the more intense/religious people become about their tailgates. I’ve heard it on good authority that it’s fairly common to attend the tailgate but not the game at certain Southern schools, and if that’s the case, I will happily relocate to the South during football season. So, let’s see: my kind of tailgate look can pretty much be captured with shades ($150), cozy poncho sweater ($340), skinnies, and some OTK boots ($825 — loveeee the zipper up the back):
Keep your paws warm with some slick leather gloves from Tory Burch ($167):
Then, add a pop of color in the form of a structured cross-body (Opening Ceremony, $550) — or get the look for less with this Clare Vivier style.
If you’re a true baller, imagine setting up camp with these vintage folding leather chairs (OMG!) — or get the look for less with this style from UO:
Stow some warm blankets ($139) in the car…just in case you-know-who (me) gets cold + cranky:
A nice little bar spread featuring a Bloody Mary bar might be a nice touch — Charleston Mix bloody mary mix ($10); Ketel One vodka; pig napkins ($6); tipsy cocktail stirrers ($12):
Serve in shatter-proof acrylic monogrammed tumblers ($55 for set):
For snacks? Arrange some traditional ham biscuits on top of a pig platter ($40):
Don’t forget the honey mustard ($6) and spreader ($60 for set of 4 — I own this set and use these little guys all the time!):
As a Wahoo, I’d keep some state pride going with classic Virginia peanuts from Feridies ($5.50 and up):
Stow it all in a large, personalized tote ($150):
Add some personalized koozies ($14 each) if you’re more into the brewskis:
With this sort of spread, even I can get into the rooting spirit!