With numerous events happening during homecoming week, students may find themselves debating on what to wear to accurately reflect their Illini spirit.  

Whether it is for the football game, the homecoming parade or tailgating, the key to looking spirited during homecoming week is to wear “everything orange,” said Aishat Oyolola, senior in Applied Health Sciences. Oyolola usually wears an orange Illini shirt and jeans, she said, with a main focus on accessories. 

“I try to put orange extensions in my hair or paint my face as much as I can,” Oyolola said. 

There are also plenty of options for students going for a more outrageous look. John Fronczak, sophomore in LAS, is an active member of the registered student organizations Block I and Illini Pride. Fronczak said his favorite homecoming week outfit consists of striped orange and blue pants tucked into knee-high Illinois socks, paired with orange high-top sneakers. Along with this ensemble, Fronczak said, “I normally rock blue sunglasses with orange lenses in them and an Illinois snapback hat. If you look at my closet right now, it’s half orange, half blue.” 

Nick Tarleton, sophomore in ACES, has a similarly spirited outfit. “My favorite outfit is a one-piece orange suit with a U of I jacket and orange gym shoes,” he said. 

Some take Illini pride to a new level with their outfits. Fronczak said, “I have a couple of friends who have Illini-themed Spiderman costumes. That would get my vote as the most ridiculous.” Tarleton, however, thinks the vote for the best outfit should go to “a guy who was wearing orange boxers and painted his whole body orange.”

Students on campus express their Illini spirit at varying levels. Whether students choose jeans and a T-shirt or decide to become the University’s next superhero, Fronczak believes that “homecoming really brings everyone together who was an Illini, and who is an Illini. It really celebrates how great of a community we have.”

Michelle can be reached at [email protected]