In Texas, homecoming isn’t just a football game—it’s a season of ribbons, bells, and larger-than-life floral tributes. Whether you are a lifelong Texan or new to the Lone Star State, the "Homecoming Mum" can feel like a complex world to navigate. At Mums and Garters, we’ve spent years as a DIY crafter, making custom keepsakes for family and friends, and now we are bringing that knowledge and creativity to students from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast.

In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about this iconic Texas tradition.

1. The History: How it All Began

The tradition started around the mid-1930s, with the first recorded appearance cited at a Baylor University homecoming game in 1936.  At the time, they were constructed of simple, real chrysanthemums decorated with a few ribbons. Over the decades, in true Texas fashion, we made it bigger. In the 1970s and 80s, real flowers were replaced by durable silk "mums" to allow for heavier decorations, more elaborate braids, and long-term preservation. Today, a mum is a wearable showcase of a student's high school journey and a chance to show off!

2. Mum Etiquette: The Color Codes

While every school has its own flair, Texas generally follows a standard color hierarchy:

• Freshmen & Sophomores: Typically wear school colors (e.g., the purple and white of Saginaw High or the navy and gold of Northwest ISD).
• Juniors: Often incorporate silver accents into school colors to signify their upperclassman status.
• Seniors: The "Gold Standard." Senior mums are almost exclusively White and Gold (or White and Silver), representing their final homecoming milestone.

3. Anatomy of a Designer Mum

A high-quality mum from a boutique studio like ours consists of three main layers:

• The Flower & Backer: The foundation that holds the trinkets and the student’s name.
• The Braids: This is where craftsmanship shows. From the Military Braid and Diamond Back to the Victory Braid, these hand-woven elements add texture and "shimmer".
• The "Shaker" Layer: This includes the bells, charms, lights, and personalized trinkets that represent the student’s extracurriculars—think footballs, band instruments, or drama masks.

4. 2026 Trends: What’s New This Season?

For 2026, we are seeing a shift toward light-up elements and LED integration, allowing mums to glow during night games. Additionally, "Themed Mums" (like Western or Boho styles) are becoming popular choices for students who want to stand out from the traditional look.

5. Beyond the Field: Graduation Leis

While mums dominate the fall, the Graduation Lei has become the new spring tradition across Texas. Hand-braided ribbon leis are now a staple at commencements from Fort Worth to Austin, offering a permanent, beautiful alternative to fresh flowers that students can keep forever.

6. Pro-Tips for Wearing and Caring

• Support the Weight: For massive senior triples, we recommend using a neck strap or a heavy-duty magnet rather than a single pin to prevent fabric damage.
• Safe Transport: Always hang your mum in the backseat of a car during transport to keep the ribbons from crimping.
• Storage: Store your mum in a cool, dry place inside a garment bag to keep it dust-free for years to come.

Why Mums and Garters?

While we are deep in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, our passion for this tradition extends to every corner of Texas. Every order is handcrafted with the same level of detail, whether it's staying local in Fort Worth  or being shipped to a small-town stadium hundreds of miles away.

Ready to start your 2026 design? Click Here