Comfy Fall Boots Really Made for Walking
Fall in the South only really means a few things: football season, trips to the pumpkin patch, and long strolls around the neighborhood with an apple cider in hand (and did we mention football season?). Essentially, Southerners know that there are very few excuses to stay inside during the fall (with the exception of your annual Halloween movie marathon) because all of us know that the stunning fall colors of the outdoors just never seem to get old year after year. Whether weāre tailgating and walking miles to the stadium or hauling pumpkins and gourds around to complete our front porch masterpiece, we know that boots that donāt live up to our expectations of comfort are as good as gone.
Comfort is key when it comes to dressing in the South in any season. We rely on breezy dresses to get us through sweltering summer days and wouldnāt be caught dead without our rain jackets within armās reach during the spring. And you know those fall days that tease us with a cool breeze in the morning but unleash the wrath of the heat of July come 2:00? Weāre ready for those too. And letās be honest, yāallāthe last thing any of us wants to be worried about is our sore feet getting in the way of celebrating an Iron Bowl victory.
Weāve hunted down the most comfortable boots on the block that are fully ready to take on whatever your fall adventures bring. Each one of these boots has a little something for every style and occasion, and we think theyāre well worth the investment. Short booties are perfect to pair with a sundress on gameday, and we can already picture some of these tall boots with skinny jeans and your favorite cozy fall sweater. And donāt think we forgot to consider the rainy days of fall, too! If you thought wearing comfortable boots meant sacrificing style, youāve got another thinkĀ cominā.
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The South's 10 Best Tailgates
We don't play around when it comes to tailgating in the South. From Chief Osceola's rituals at FSU to the juicy brisket at Texas A&M to boats docking by Neyland Stadium, all of our Southern schools take tailgating seriously. We get there early (extra early, if you're an Auburn fan!), we set up our grills, and we keep the party going well into the night. We asked, and youĀ voted ā here are your all-time favorite tailgates around the South.
View all of the South's Best 2017 winners here.Ā
10. Florida State
Pregame rituals at FSU are an art.Ā Donāt miss Chief Osceola race downfield on horseback and hurl a flaming spear.
9. University of Florida
Some 80-thousand ātail-gatorsā gather on Reitz Union Lawn to grill and play cornhole before heading to The Swamp.
8. Texas A&M
The Aggies keep their tailgate laid back, but youāll find plenty of Texas brisket.Ā Keeping with tradition, student-elected āYell Leadersā rally the crowd and couples share a kiss every time the Aggies score.
7. University ofĀ Tennessee
In Knoxville, more than 100 boats dock on the Tennessee River just outside Neyland Stadium.Ā The āVol Walkā is one of the teamās proudest traditions.
6. Auburn
In the Loveliest Village on the Plains, an armada of RVs arrives days before home games.Ā Tailgating ends when fans get to the stadium to see the eagle fly.
5. Clemson
Veteran tailgaters know that a ticket gets you in and out of Memorial Stadium at halftime, so the tailgate continues during the game.
4. LSU
Tailgating at LSU is part Mardi Gras and part family reunion with a whole lot of gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.
3. University ofĀ Georgia
Tailgaters gather in beautiful North Campus and start the party early, no matter the kick off time.Ā If you hear the bell toll, it means the Bulldogs have claimed another victory.
2.Ā Alabama
The Quad is the heart of tailgating, and the menu depends on the opponent.Ā Expect pig roasts before Arkansas and fried gator when Floridaās in town.
1.Ā Ole Miss
The party in goes down in The Grove, and itās elegant.Ā Find table linens, fried chicken served on china, and the glow of chandeliers in tailgate tents.
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By Wesley Shaw Wesley Shaw