Where to buy orange and blue in the Champaign-Urbana area
It wouldn’t be a CU football season without Fighting Illini gear. And with two more months of Big Ten play, you gotta stock up!
For the Superfan
You can never go wrong at the Illini Union Bookstore on campus, stocked full of everything from hats and outerwear to sweatshirts and pants. Same with GameDay Spirit, with locations in Campustown and Champaign. GameDay features officially licensed Illini gear for all ages and every season.
For the Fashion-Forward
Now, if you’re looking for a more, ahem, refined look that doesn’t shout from the rooftops, check out Joseph Kuhn & Co. in downtown Champaign. You can find top-quality menswear in orange and blue hues that suit your style.
Closer to southwest Champaign, Bella Mia Boutique features an “orange & blue” room with beautifully draped tops, dresses, and more. If you want cozy-girl vibes with your orange and blue, stop by En Route Boutique in Mahomet. Their super-cute spirit wear includes soft sweatshirts and sweaters for chilly game days. And Bohemia in downtown Urbana gives, well, bohemian with floral patterns, jewelry, and accessories in subtle Illini color palettes.
For the Budget-Conscious
We get it. With this month’s Ellnora, Pygmalion, and so many new restaurants opening in the area, you may be short on cash. Not to worry—you can acquire your orange and blue without breaking the bank.
Karen’s Kloset, an elevated consignment shop in Champaign, organizes all their apparel by color, so Illini hues are easy to find. If you’re looking for gently-worn threads for the whole family, check out Briella’s Boutique, with locations in Savoy and Mahomet. (You may even find some gently worn licensed gear at these shops, depending on the stock.)
Voted "Best Thrift Store" by The Daily Illini this year, Salt & Light in Urbana can also be a treasure trove of Illini wear at amazing prices.
Closet Ready, Game Ready
Whether you’re going full football fanatic, keeping it chic in subtle hues, or hunting down budget-friendly wear, there’s no excuse to show up in anything but orange and blue. Stock the closet, warm up your vocal cords, and get ready to cheer the Fighting Illini from tailgate to 4th quarter (and brunch the next day)!