Name Is Kanem

The faint smell of barbecue and liquor. The emotionally ecstatic cries of long-separated friends rejoined once again. Everyone within the vicinity engages in harmonized body movements as line dances take control of the crowd. These are all just pieces of homecoming, specifically an HBCU homecoming, that make it what it is; a joyous and undemanding period in which alumni, students, and many times friends of the latter two, come together for good times and great vibes. This year was no different, and though there were minor troubles that sat in the back of my mind before all the festivities, I ultimately enjoyed myself this year much more than I initially anticipated. As I first came back to my old stomping grounds, the promenade on the campus of the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, I was surrounded by my fellow peers and staff and greeted with love, on top of love, on top of even more love. Even with so many people who didn’t come, there were countless other familiar faces that I could briefly reconnect with. I reminisced with fellow alumni about how things used to be, what wasn’t around when we were in school, and how far we’ve come from then. I was surrounded by black greatness, black professionals, and people making moves and strides within their respective fields. I was reassured and reaffirmed of my position in life, where I am now, and how much I’ve accomplished in the time since I left Clark’s campus. It felt amazing seeing friends, old and new, as we would shower each other with praises and affirmations, filled with contentment to see one another alive and well. Was even able to catch up with old roommates, professors, frat brothers, etc as we two-stepped to ‘Can’t Get Enough’ by Tamia. We grabbed a few quick flicks with loved ones and friends, many of which turned out crazy looking because I was filled with Tito’s vodka and other libations provided by the several vendors surrounding the masses that returned to campus. We laughed. We cried. Some passed out by the end of it all, myself included. But in the end, we truly had a lovely time.

OK, so enough of all the mushy gushy, let’s get into the trends that you are possibly going to see for this homecoming season. Firstly, ladies, global warming has really done a big one with the weather and it’s a bit warmer than normal during this time so the legs are out! Mini skirts and pleated mini skirts have been the number one items that I’ve seen women wear thus far. This is usually paired with a sweatshirt or a shirt with a jacket layered over top, but nothing too heavy, so something like denim or lightweight leather. For my men, the name of the game is crewnecks over button-ups paired with a nice pair of jeans. One, it’s the perfect transitional style to help you get through the colder moments of the morning/early parts of the day while still allowing you room to breathe and cool off if need be during the afternoon when it gets hotter. Two, it’s perfectly on-trend as the preppy aesthetic is in right now, especially when it comes to men and menswear so this fits right in line. The cowboy/Western wear trend is still going strong as well, with cowboy hats popping up on several heads, cowboy boots surprisingly making appearances, and of course tons of leather (mostly jackets & pants) and denim in different washes and iterations. Speaking of, statement denim pieces are also on the calling cards for some, as printed denim, full Canadian suits, and denim jumpsuits caught my eye this year. For those who are trying to pop out a bit more and be a little bit more fashion-forward this season, I would recommend doing so with accessories i.e. headwear such as hats, sunglasses and shades, and handbags or purses. A nice pair of kicks/shoes could also be added to this list, however, keep in mind that most homecomings require a lot of walking, a lot of stepping, and 9 times out of 10 you will be in a crowd where it is very possible for others to accidentally step on your shoes. This has happened to me numerous times and though I am used to it, the emotional pain usually varies depending on how new my shoes are at the time. Now what I will say is this; if you don’t mind all the walking, heels are definitely an option, but I would personally recommend against it. With all this being said, though, the biggest tip I could give to anyone attending homecoming is to dress comfortably and ensure you have room to move and groove because that’s the whole point of going; to have a good time!

I think the biggest misconception is that homecoming is supposed to be this big fashion show and that you’re supposed to come dressed to impress or dress to the nines, and that simply is not true. Homecoming is supposed to be a time when you look good, but you also feel good as well. You should be able to have fun, and the priority should be to enjoy yourself, to relax, and to genuinely reconnect with not only the people around you but with the culture of the campus. It is a time to truly reminisce about the good and bad whilst being young and dumb, matriculating through college, and taking chances at a time when life was easier. It should be a time when you reconnect with where you were before and appreciate the growth from then to where you are now. And I think if you keep that in mind and truly come with positive energy and good intentions, then no matter how you may think your outfit looks, with confidence and a little liquid courage you will enjoy yourself regardless and look while doing so. For those who may not have the privilege of experiencing a homecoming or simply can’t go to their own for whatever reason, I would tell you to ask a friend to tag along to theirs. It’s a welcoming occasion teeming with laughter and merry, positive energy that, at the very least, will have you forgetting about worldly anxieties, even if only for a little while. With that, I wish all my readers a HAPPY HOMECOMING!