UCLA Crop Top History: A Fusion of Bruin Spirit and California Style

UCLA game day isn't just about cheering on the Bruins, it's a fashion event. Students showcase creativity while repping blue and gold. From the Rose Bowl to Pauley Pavilion, UCLA game days balance California cool with collegiate pride. This article explores the evolution of UCLA fashion, with a focus on the iconic crop top and its role in expressing Bruin pride.

The Blue and Gold Blueprint

UCLA's iconic color scheme is the foundation for game day fashion. Students incorporate blue and gold in spirited and stylish ways. Classic UCLA jerseys, vintage or new, are styled with denim shorts, skirts, or baggy jeans for an effortlessly cool vibe. The basketball jersey look is popular, paired with micro shorts to wide-leg pants.

Denim Dominance

Denim plays a starring role in Bruin game day fashion. Denim jackets adorned with UCLA patches and baggy jeans achieve a laid-back Los Angeles aesthetic while staying comfortable. Denim-on-denim looks are common, with students pairing denim jackets and matching jeans over UCLA tees or mixing washes for added dimension.

Creative Accessories

UCLA game day fashion is set apart by accessories. UCLA snapback hats in blue or gold add school spirit, while statement jewelry in Bruin colors provides team pride. Many students incorporate UCLA fanny packs or shoulder bags with the school’s logo, proving practicality and spirit can coexist. Temporary UCLA tattoos, face paint, and themed sunglasses also make appearances.

The California Influence

Located in Los Angeles, UCLA game day fashion has a West Coast feel. Crop tops, tank tops, and flowy fabrics dominate early-season football games when temperatures are high. Students aren’t afraid to show skin while showing school spirit. Striped crop tops in blue and white, yellow tube tops, or UCLA-branded bandeau tops paired with denim or mini skirt bottoms are common sights.

The Rise of the Crop Top

The crop top has become a staple in UCLA game day fashion, embodying the California spirit of freedom and self-expression. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift towards more revealing and body-positive clothing choices, particularly among younger generations.

Y2K Aesthetic and Sustainability

The second-year geography/environmental studies student and designer for the upcoming Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA runway show is incorporating early 2000s trends into her sustainable fashion line. Nan said she began exploring fashion design in high school, finding it a powerful way to express herself as she grew up. Her forthcoming collection will feature pieces made from her childhood denim jeans and thrifted fabrics, Nan said, as a way of presenting various sustainable practices. The nostalgia-based resurgence of early 2000s trends in the fashion industry today is a sector of fashion she wanted to explore.

Vintage Vibes

There’s been a trend toward vintage and retro UCLA gear. Students scour thrift stores and online marketplaces for authentic vintage Bruins apparel, from throwback sweatshirts to classic varsity jackets. This preference adds authenticity and individuality to game day looks while honoring UCLA’s rich athletic history.

Group Coordination

Friend groups coordinate outfits, creating cohesive looks that photograph beautifully for social media. Some groups stick to specific color schemes-all blue or all gold-while others mix and match pieces to create complementary aesthetics. These coordinated outfits have become social media staples, with students documenting their game day fashion before heading to the stadium.

Beyond the Basics

While traditional UCLA apparel remains popular, students have gotten creative with incorporating school spirit into unexpected pieces. Custom-painted overalls, DIY shirts in blue and gold, and personalized denim featuring hand-sewn UCLA patches demonstrate the artistic flair of the student body. Platform shoes, cowboy boots, and Samba sneakers ground many outfits, adding personal style while remaining game-ready.

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Finding Your Unique Bruin Style

For Bruins looking to enhance their game day wardrobe, several resources are available both on and off campus.

Thrift Stores and Vintage Shops

Vintage Inspired: specializes in curated vintage apparel from the 1970’s to mid-2000’s. Vintage Inspired is active in the UCLA community, sponsoring many fundraisers and many of their featured models being UCLA students. Address: 950 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA (next to In-and-Out in Westwood)
Klactus Vintage: West LA’s “one stop shop” for vintage clothing offers everything from oversized college crewnecks, vintage band tees, Y2K tank tops, and unique mens’ and womens’ jeans. Address: 2253 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
TROVE: offers competitive prices that attract customers, and tasteful, trendy consignments that are constantly being added to. TROVE offers clothes, accessories, home goods, art, and more. Address: 2008 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Newfriend Vintage: offers hand-picked vintage favorites in many collections, including: sports, cartoons, racing, Harley Davidson, headwear, wrestling, and vintage branded items. Address: 7600 Melrose Ave. Unit D, West Hollywood, CA
Filth Mart: offers one of the most rare and collectible t-shirt selections in LA at an elevated price point.

Official UCLA Merchandise

The UCLA Store offers a range of apparel and accessories, including collaborations with popular brands, allowing students to express their Bruin pride in contemporary styles.

UCLA X Tommy Bahama collection: Unites the spirit of the island lifestyle with the collegiate excellence of the UCLA brand, offering a wide range of patterned polos and shirts.
UCLA X Columbia refresh line:
UCLA X Hype and Vice collection: Embodies the latest UCLA spirit fashion among college students with cropped tops, shorts and more.
UCLA // lululemon collection: Includes an array of active and athleisure apparel unique to the Bruin community.
The Hundreds limited edition collection: Fusing the history of UCLA and its basketball sporting legacy with the premier streetwear fashion of The Hundreds.
UCLA x Operation Hat Trick branded apparel: A portion of the sales will be donated to select organizations that fulfill the OHT mission.

A Look Back: UCLA Uniform History

The year 1939 was huge for UCLA. UCLA was undefeated that year (though with four ties). Secondly, it was the only season during which UCLA mega-stars Kenny Washington and Jackie Robinson were on the same football team. Jackie also played during the 1940 season, but that season was a 1 and 9 catastrophe. Until recently, I believed that the uniforms for 1939 were dark blue, with little “bear” patches on each upper-arm. Recently, though, the same Classic UCLA Bruins Rediscovered blog published a post (Jackie Robinson’s ‘Unusual’ UCLA Uniform Design) that showed a series of pictures (staged) that were published in the October 28, 1939, issue of the Los Angeles Times, showing Jackie Robinson wearing one of the friction-strip jerseys that seemed to date from the prior season (1938). I figured that UCLA just dusted off some older uniforms for the photos. The older jerseys were more attractive and distinctive. (Well, the little “bears” on the upper-arms of 1939 are also distinctive!)

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