As the weather cools and the leaves start to fall, Southern Nazarene University students are pulling out their coziest fits — warm sweaters, comfy sweat suits, and the season’s undefeated staple: Uggs. The chill of the morning makes comfort a must, but fall fashion on campus is about more than staying warm — it’s about showing personality, celebrating the season, and, of course, gearing up for Howdy Homecoming.
Tessa Hodges described her perfect fall outfit as, “My Uggs with a jean skirt and a cute sweater jacket.” Rose Daniel agreed, saying her go-to look is “a cream sweater and a jean skirt with my Uggs.” Both go for a night-out vibe that’s cute and picture-ready.
Georgia Byers leaned more toward comfort, sharing, “Probably some leggings or wide-leg pants with a cropped sweater and my Uggs.” One thing’s clear — when it comes to SNU fall fashion, Uggs are the ultimate staple.
While many girls keep it cozy and cute, guys show a variety of fall fits. Rex Marrs said, “A good pair of jeans or shorts with a comfy hoodie and a pair of Nike Air Maxes.” For Leon Jones, it’s about adding style when heading out: “I’d probably wear a pair of cargo pants with either a crew neck in fall colors or a flannel.”
With all the fun and cozy outfits setting the tone for the season, one event stands out as SNU’s true fall staple — Howdy Homecoming.
Junior Tiana Frantz described the event as “a dance the Student Activities Leadership Team (SALT) puts on every year during Homecoming Week for current students on campus. The tradition is usually western-themed and includes line dancing. There are often other activities too, depending on the venue — like a petting zoo or a bonfire!”
Putting together the perfect western fit is part of the fun. Last year, guys showed up in jeans, flannels, or button-ups with boots. Seth Spruiell said, “I wore some jeans with a pearl-snap shirt,” but he added that the best-dressed title went to Gavin Engelken. “Not only did he bring out the western gear for Howdy Homecoming,” Spruiell said, “he also brought the swagger and really got the dance floor going.”
Of course, the main event of the night is the dancing. Line dancing is an Oklahoma favorite, and SNU students go all in. Carter Brock’s favorite is Footloose, a fast-paced classic with grapevines, stomps, jumps, claps, and pivots. Other crowd favorites include Cotton Eye Joe, Cupid Shuffle, and The Electric Slide.
The highlight of Howdy Homecoming 2024, according to Spruiell, was the mechanical bull. “Almost everybody got a ride on it,” he said. “The majority of the people there would cheer them on as they rode — it was just super cool to see.”
So dust off your boots, grab your friends, and get ready to dance the night away. Howdy Homecoming 2025 kicks off tonight — don’t miss your chance to make memories, take your shot at the bull, and show off your best fall fit.
Photo by: SNU Creative