It’s the best time of year: football season.

This is my fifth football season at the University, and I’ve attended nearly every home game. I love tailgating, cheering in the student section and throwing insults at the visiting team, just like every other Bulldog who joins me between the hedges on Saturdays.

There’s just one thing I do not understand or enjoy – the fashion show. You know what I’m talking about: the heels, the expensive dresses and the perfect hair. I can’t for the life of me figure out why girls even try to get their hair pristine in temperatures of 100 degrees and 80 percent humidity.

Just a couple of weekends ago, my roommate nodded toward the sidewalk as we drove to a home game, “That didn’t take long.”

There was a full-grown woman, heels in hand, riding on the back of a man. It was obvious her feet hurt too much for her to continue walking. The view from the back did not leave anything to the imagination, with a classy black cocktail dress riding up as she rode him up Jackson Street headed toward downtown.

Years ago, my freshman roommate showed me a shirt she bought for her first football game. It cost $70. Put on $70 worth of fabric and see how hot it looks once sweat has seeped through it, which it is bound to do in a stadium always hotter than the actual temperature outside.

Football is not about fashion. It’s about the game and school spirit. It’s hard to throw a pigskin at a tailgate if you’re afaid you’ll rip a $100 dress.

Climbing 50 feet through the bleachers in three-inch heels is not only impracticable and painful, but dangerous – not to mention the complications added when alcohol is involved. I’ve seen girls tumble down those bleachers after a few drinks.

Eating a plate of barbecue in a tight little cocktail dress while wobbling on five-inch stilettos paints less than a pretty picture.

Overdressing just looks silly in addition to uncomfortable. There’s nothing worse than a wardrobe malfunction while jumping and cheering after a touchdown. Football is about having fun. So use that $70 for groceries for the tailgate, or better yet, a comfortable red and black jersey or T-shirt and some flip-flops.

I’m not opposed to dressing up. I wear heels and dresses downtown or wherever else they are required. But walking a couple of blocks from my car to The Globe or the Georgia Theatre can be excruciating. How can they be pleasant at a crowded sporting event? There’re not.

Come on, women: let’s stop trying to impress everyone and start having fun at the games.

Trade in the stilettos for some sandals and enjoy yourself. Your body will thank you.

- Brittany Whitley is a senior from Newnan majoring in newspapers.