For Saturday’s football game against UCF, SMU Athletics requested that fans wear red for a full “red-out.” On the boulevard, students embraced the request, sporting unique red-infused styles and trends. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

The advent of fall marks not only the beginning of another football season, but also the most important season in fashion. What better place to celebrate these concurrent events than a well-manicured, fun-filled veritable runway?

“Boulevarding” as we know it did not begin until President R. Gerald Turner brought the tradition to SMU 11 years ago after the opening of Ford Stadium. Turner wanted the students and fans to have a gathering place before game days, and therefore created the Boulevard as a way to increase school spirit. Though it was modeled after The Grove at Ole Miss, in a video about the tradition, Turner said, “All of the unique aspects of it has truly made it SMU’s.”

Now, students strut up and down Bishop Boulevard, tent-hopping and socializing in fall’s most fashionable trends. This year, that means lots of color-saturated dresses, big necklaces and funky clutches will be incorporated into students’ game day looks, according to SMUStyle editor Meg Jones.

“Because SMU prides itself on tradition, game day attire doesn’t change too much from year to year,” Retail Club Vice President Shelby Foster said.

The first game of the year is traditionally a white-out, which means faithful fans inevitably violate the no-white-after-labor-day style rule.

According to the style bloggers and SMU alums behind the immensely popular StyleSheet for D Magazine (formerly Hilltop Glossy), Kristi and Scot Redman, this is not all that controversial, declaring in their blog post that “white is definitely vogue after Labor Day.”

The Redmans described the scene as reminiscent of Renoir’s Boating Party — an upscale, preppy, chic look uncommon i

n the 21st century.

Junior fashion media minor Daniella Lopez noticed that lace and eyelet dresses were very popular on the Boulevard.

Retail Club President Rebecca Marin said many students thought outside of the box, opting for flowy, ivory maxi dresses instead of choosing the typical first-game LWD (little white dress).

“I saw more of a Californian, ‘70s-inspired look with crochet, silk chiffon tops, embellished headbands,” Marin said.

And while a sundress and cowboy boots are game day staples, “It’s great to see fresh styles on the Boulevard,” she said.

Students set themselves apart in the homogenous mass of color with inventive accessories and eye-catching textiles.

Saturday’s red-out game against the University of Central Florida was no exception; many donned floppy hats and studded leather belts or chose playful tiered ensembles to stand out.

Foster and Jones noted that more and more students are opting for wedges and heels to freshen up their Boulevarding looks.

Lopez accessorized her one-shouldered red dress with a wide leather belt, wooden bangles and boots to throw a game day spin on her self-described “classic/simple” style.

Often, students liken the Boulevard to an actual runway, though Jones pointed out that there is a difference between the on-trend, ready-to-wear fashions of SMU students and the haute couture one would find on the runway.

Nevertheless, SMU seems to be one of the most fashionable schools around.

What students wear to the Boulevard dictates the day-to-day fashions of the fall.

These looks are pared down and deconstructed for classes when many stick to the same basic trends in a more casual way.

Marin noted that a few fashionable pieces can really amp up your casual classroom attire. Some basic staples to add to your wardrobe this fall are cutoff shorts, flowy tribal tops and gladiator sandals.

But Lopez notes that confidence is the most important accessory in any season, and knowing what works for your body type is more important than being “in style.”

Eleven years after its creation, the Boulevard continues to be a creative haven for the fashion-conscious students of SMU, who effortlessly blend a traditionally conservative, Southern-inspired look with the latest runway trends.

“SMU is absolutely more stylish than other campuses,” Jones said. “Dallas is a fashion-forward city, and SMU fits into the trendy bubble.”