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Looking for a stellar gift to surprise the college basketball fanatic in your life? HEYDUDE’s new additions to its Collegiate Collection come right in time for basketball season, with exciting new colorways that rep the biggest basketball teams of the season. In the brand’s ultra-comfortable slip-on sneaker styles for men and women, they’re perfect for sporting team spirit from head to toe at nail-biting games and tailgate parties — and will be the object of envy in any game day crew.
HEYDUDE’s expanded Collegiate Collection, dubbed the “new starting five,” is the ultimate gift to get basketball-obsessed fans geared up for playoff predictions and spirited parties, whether they’re a current student, school alumni, or proud parent with kids attending. These Wendy and Wally shoes come ready for action, offering additional NCAA team colorways, from the Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, Miami Hurricanes, and Texas A&M Aggies, that proudly front team colors and logos. Regardless of who the lucky recipient will be, they definitely don’t have game day footwear that screams school spirit quite like these HEYDUDE shoes. Plus, they’ll be the gift that keeps on giving throughout every event this season, and many years to follow — because loyal fans last a lifetime.
Current students cheering on the home team will love having a fresh pair of comfortable kicks that they can wear on campus year-round, since school spirit is always in style, while their parents will enjoy repping the colors all the same (shoes are so much better than a bumper sticker). And, they make a great new addition to any alumni’s worn-out collection of college merch, offering an endlessly versatile and wearable style they can sport no matter the occasion.
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When it comes to showing school pride, it’s best to go all-out for the big game. Of course, it’s always a good idea to lean into team colors, especially to match HEYDUDE’s new shoes, whether in a full outfit of team merch or in more styled pairings of a colored puffer jacket and matching track pants. To avoid going too monochrome, consider donning the dominant hue up top, as a hoodie, tee shirt, or jacket, to pair with the secondary color for bottoms, like white jeans or orange cargo pants. Or, if your fashion POV is a bit more elevated, play with leather pants, à la Kim Kardashian at a Lakers game, that match your team’s colors, or elevate easy denim like Kelly Rowland with a vibrant handbag that screams “team spirit.” And don’t forget socks — that’s your chance to lean into logos, player numbers, or even mismatched colors, to bring out the design in the brand new HEYDUDE shoes.
The Wally shoes in the collection feature crisp white uppers, with matching laces and team logos atop the toe, while the new Wendy designs show team spirit from the side with bold, colorblocked uppers. Known for their supremely lightweight and comfortable cushioning and flexible mesh construction, these bestselling silhouettes are perfectly primed for long days on your feet — whether you’re attending the game in person or showing out for the tailgate.
The Collegiate Collection with new Wendy and Wally colorways is now available to shop at HEYDUDE.com. But be sure to snag a shoe for your game day companion ASAP, because the previous collection sold out in sizing shortly after its launch.
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. Olivia routinely reports on and tests exciting new footwear collections to recommend to Footwear News readers, like HEYDUDE’s comfortable walking shoes.