As tempting as it is, you really don’t need to pack every single piece of clothing you own when moving to a new city for university. Getting it there (and back again during the summer) would be logistically difficult, and chances are you won’t wear it all. But of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered for all sorts of different situations during your time at uni. So here’s some advice (aimed at all genders) for curating your university wardrobe!
The basics
When you’re in your flat or heading to a lecture, chances are you’ll want something comfortable but something that you don’t mind being seen in – we’re not talking about that boy band t-shirt you’ve had since you were 12 which somehow still fits but has a pizza stain on the collar, okay? Some ideas for the basics include:
Jeans and/or cargo pants
Leggings and/or comfortable shorts
Basic t-shirts and/or vest tops
Casual shirts
Basic dresses/skirts
Hoodies
Sweatshirts
Nights out
A big part of university is ‘going out’ – from freshers week to society socials, there are going to be a lot of potential nights out in your path. You don’t need to buy a new outfit every time, as this is terrible for both the environment and your student budget. There’s every chance you’ll be able to share and swap clothes with the other people in your student accommodation but even if not, it helps to have a solid range of clothing you can mix and match from:
Skirts – long and short
Dresses – long and short, in different styles
Jeans, in different styles
Smart trousers
Smart and casual shirts/tops
Playsuits/jumpsuits
Blazer
Smart shoes
Heeled shoes
Athletic
Are you a sporty person? Planning to utilise your student discount for a decent gym membership? Wanting to join a society and learn how to play badminton? Whether you’re an established sportsperson or just starting out, chances are you’ll want to pack the right *stuff* to wear amongst the rest fo your university wardrobe. Here’s a vague idea:
Sports bra
Shorts and joggers
T-shirts
Base layers
A thin waterproof jacket
Trains and/or sport-specific shoes
Any other sport-specific ‘uniform’ you own and will need
Loungewear
When you’re relaxing in your student accommodation bedroom, you’re going to want to be as comfortable as possible – and our rooms are particularly comfortable! Here are some items you can and should pack in order to take your comfort levels to the extreme…
Pyjamas
Dressing gown
Fluffy socks
Slippers
Baggy t-shirts
This list gives you the basics for your university wardrobe – which you need to pack alongside underwear, socks and so on – and of course you can build on it. But don’t go mad; you only need 2 or 3 of each item, and you can wash/rotate them as often as you like. Make sure you pack your washing powder too, or add it straight to your student shopping list!
