HBCU Homecoming Fashion Is Here: FAMU Is All About Jorts, Beaded Bralettes, and Blokecore

It's our favorite time of year: HBCU homecoming season. And HBCU homecoming fashion is usually what makes the weeks of school spirit a highlight during the fall. Historically Black colleges and universities are notably recognized for their wide range of traditions. Specifically at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, students are proving why Southern fashion is one to watch.

“The FAMU girls know how to serve a full look head-to-toe — and it’s all in the details,” Karlyn Sykes, a 2019 graduate of FAMU, tells Teen Vogue. “The hair color matches the nail art or the grill will play off a pattern on the shoe, we really do the most in the best way possible. And yes, we’re wearing heels on the highest of seven hills.”

Current senior and the 119th Miss Florida A&M University, Edwina Fleuridor, says that fashion at FAMU is about way more than what you wear.

“It’s how we express our excellence,” she says. “There’s an undeniable confidence that comes with being a Rattler, hence why we Bragg different. Whether it’s tailored and timeless or bold and trendsetting, FAMU students know how to blend professionalism with individuality. Our fashion reflects our legacy, rooted in tradition, yet always evolving. We don’t just follow trends; we set them. That’s what makes FAMU style stand out among other HBCUs, it’s polished, purposeful, and uniquely FAMU.”

But more than anything, being back on the Hill is a quintessential experience alumni love to participate in. Armani Jones, a 2023 graduate and the 23rd Mister FAMU, says homecoming and FAMU's culture is something he will never take for granted.

“Being back on the Hill, the place that I accredited so much of my development to, means so much more to me now as an alumnus,” he says. “It’s a celebration of Black excellence, culture, and pride in our legacy. I appreciate these moments deeply and am always grateful to reconnect with individuals who shaped and poured into my collegiate experience.”