Game-day style is a tradition in college football, and this year's Red River Rivalry was no exception. While the Texas Longhorns came up short on the field, head coach Steve Sarkisian's wife, Loreal Sarkisian, delivered a fashion statement that captured the spotlight and earned a nod from the ESPN broadcast.
For Saturday's clash against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Loreal went all in on a look that blended Texas pride with high-fashion flair. She described it as "Texas roots, Parisian runway," pairing a burnt orange Hervé Léger top with Schiaparelli pants and belt, Christian Louboutin stiletto booties, and custom mosaic horseshoe jewelry from Korman Fine Jewelry. The finishing touches included Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses and styling by yours truly.
The outfit was a tribute to the rivalry and her home state, and ESPN took notice, giving her a shoutout during the broadcast. Loreal responded on Instagram with a heartfelt thank you, writing, "Shoutout to ESPN – Thank you ❤️." She also shared a video of the look, captioning it, "The look was Schiaparelli. The color was burnt orange. The love is always Texas. 🤘"
Her ensemble drew comparisons to the recent sideline reporter fashion buzz that has become a staple of college football Saturdays, but Loreal's choice was distinctly personal, rooted in her Texas upbringing and a nod to fellow Texan designer Daniel Roseberry, who helms Schiaparelli.
While the fashion world was abuzz, the game itself was a heartbreaker for Longhorns fans. Oklahoma pulled off a stunning upset, sealing the win with a late interception of Arch Manning. The loss dropped Texas to 4-1, but Steve Sarkisian remained defiant in his postgame remarks.
"We're not dead," he said. "We're going to be OK. We'll get back up off the mat." He acknowledged the frustration, pointing to execution issues rather than preparation. "I'm frustrated, you know, because we're working at it," he added. "It's not for lack of effort. It's not for teachable moments and coaching and all those things. But clearly, it hasn't been good enough."
The coach's optimism hasn't fully convinced everyone, as some fans have criticized his postgame spin on the loss, but the team will look to bounce back against Florida on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET on ABC.
For now, though, Loreal's outfit remains a talking point, proving that even in defeat, style can steal the show. Her look also echoes the kind of game-day fashion that turned heads in other sports this season, from the NFL to college hoops, and she's clearly comfortable in the spotlight.
As the Longhorns regroup, one thing is certain: Loreal Sarkisian's Red River Rivalry ensemble will be remembered as a highlight of the weekend, even if the scoreboard didn't cooperate.
