Founded in 1997 by Todd Snyder and Steve King, two small-town boys from Iowa, Tailgate takes the iconography of Americana — think state-school insignias and roadside watering holes — and translates it into stylish caps, sweatshirts, and tees. The brand’s designs are collegiate without being fratty; laidback without veering into slacker territory. In other words, they go great with a broken-in pair of jeans, not to mention a cold beer in the parking lot before the big game.