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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at St. Andrews chapter.

Welcome back to St Andrews! We all love this town and its unique personality, especially when it comes to the weather! And it is because of this that dressing for this town can be such a struggle. But, as always, Her Campus has got your back. 

Here are our top five tips on how to dress for St Andrews weather without sacrificing your style. 

1.Shoes are made for walking 

It can be very tempting to wear your favourite high-heeled boots with tailored pants for your first day of class, especially if you are looking to bring out that girlboss energy. But St Andrews is 80% cobblestone and 20% rain, which equals a 100% chance of an embarrassing fall  in the middle of Market Street. 

But don’t be disheartened, this season the fashion world has granted us great alternatives that are equally empowering and 100% fall-free. For instance, loafers are now officially in trend thanks to designers like Tory Burch and you can purchase a gorgeous pair at any local charity shop or Zara store. 

Another great option are ballet flats, especially if you are planning on riding a bike around town. What is more, these are great safety shoes to sneak into your bag when you decide to take the risk and wear those heeled shoes. 

Other options also include classic vintage trainers or a pair of platform boots. 

2.Be prepared for the rain 

Despite what your weather app may tell you, St Andrews is not easily predictable. Much like its students it has a mind of its own and it will not hesitate to start spitting rain when you least expect it, so be prepared! 

Thankfully, being protected from the rain has never looked cuter. Fall season 2023 on the runways has already provided us with a ton of inspiration for cute rainy day fits. 

For instance, trench coats are a great waterproof alternative to your average cover up, plus they look incredibly elegant and can be paired with anything. A great outfit for classes, for instance, could be a straight pair of jeans, a comfortable pair of trainers, a simple white tee, and a long trench coat on top. 

To protect your hair from the rain our best recommendation is to carry a hair tie or hair clip on you at all times. A slicked back ponytail will never fail you in this weather. 

Or, if you are all for that country aesthetic, invest in a rain hat or even a small umbrella which you can carry tucked neatly into your bag.

3.Bags: Think big and practical

As much as we love a cute pochette bag it is not practical for a day out in town. It will not fit your rain aid kit, phone, keys, computer, notepad, et cetera. Nonetheless, tote bags and shopper style purses are ideal. Not only are they effortlessly cute but they are also incredibly practical. 

For example, a Longchamp tote bag will fit all your essentials and still add that classy look to any outfit. There are also more affordable options offered by Zara and ASOS that are equally adorable. 

If you are a fan of backpacks, St Andrews is definitely an opportunity for you to invest in a cute leather Zara or John Lewis piece. 

4.Think quick 

If you are one of those girls who manages to plan an outfit the night before please skip to the next point.

But for those of us who are rushing about in the morning there are a few essential pieces of clothing that will never fail you. 

These include matching sets, dresses and basics.

Matching sets made up of tailored style pants and matching blazers are ideal if you are in a rush. Pair them with a suitable shoe (loafers, trainers, you decide) and you are out the door. Likewise, knit pants and high neck top sets are a quick comfortable solution to your morning troubles and will keep you warm enough if paired with a trench coat. 

Likewise, dresses, if styled accordingly, can become quick outfit fixes. For instance, in the cold months, pair a woolly jumper with a tight maxi dress, a pair of vintage trainers and a long black coat for a cute and fun look. They also work for parties as they can be paired with high heeled boots and blazers easily and elegantly. 

Finally, basics. This may sound very 2010 to you but the classic straight jean and white tee combo is the best way to go about a busy morning. It can be dressed up with a pair of loafers and a blazer or down with a pair of sambas and a trench coat. You can even mix and match! 

5.Accessories are everything

Buying cute tees and dainty tops is very fun but in this town we rarely get to show them off. However, accessories are always on show!

Play around with colour by adding a big patterned scarf to your basic outfit. This will keep you warm and light up your day with a pop of colour. Or perhaps you would rather change it around with a different bag or graphic tote bag. It’s really up to you! 

Add jewellery! Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, experiment with it. Try different pieces with different fits and most importantly have fun with it! 

Overall: 

All in all the top things to remember are that you have to be able to get to places on your feet, weather is truly unpredictable, you need to be able to carry a lot of things on you, you may not always have a lot of time to get ready in the mornings, and little details really do make a difference. 

Nonetheless, the most important thing is that you enjoy the St Andrews experience and have fun experimenting with your outfits. In this town you will never be judged for branching out and it would really be a shame if we did not take advantage of this. 

For more inspiration you can always check out our Pinterest boards. 

Enjoy your first semester!

Vera Fortun Marco

St. Andrews '26

Vera Fortun is a third-year Joint Honours English and IR student at the University of St Andrews. Apart from writing for Her Campus, she enjoys writing all forms of fiction. When she is not writing you can find her intensively reading,searching for new pieces to add to her wardrobe or scouting for the best coffee spots in town.