Feel like you don’t have the right pieces to make an outfit for a random event that pops up? I got you girl. Here’s my must have list of college clothing essentials
As if transitioning to a new place isn’t hard enough, many of us struggle with “ what do I bring?” Is it enough? Do these pieces fit my needs? Here’s my take. Less is more. College students are busy with school, clubs, socializing with friends and learning to live on their own (aka doing laundry and grocery shopping). Worrying about what to wear shouldn’t be the top priority. Having the right pieces of clothing will result in stress free situations where a friend randomly asks you to tag along on an outing, a career meeting pops up or the weather changes drastically. We have all been there, staring at our closets clueless with what to wear. Here are my tips to avoiding the horrid “I have nothing to wear” moment.
Lounge Wear
Have ample lounge wear. Matching sets are great for quick mornings where you might be running late to class. Some of my favorites have come from Beyond Yoga, LOFT, and Roots. Lounge wear matching sets are a fuss free decision that offer comfort and cuteness while requiring literally no effort! Pair them with a trendy pair of sneakers and you are set for a long day of lectures, discussions and club meetings.
Athletic
Ahh, if athletic clothes haven’t taken over the college campus and covid life scene, I don’t know what has. Athletic clothes not only are comfortable, but make me feel more inclined to incorporate fitness into my day. My tried and true brand for leggings, tops, sports bras and zip up jackets is none other than Lululemon. They just do it right. While Lululemon is on the pricier side, investing in a few basic pieces will save you in the long run. Their sweat wicking, super stretchy, non-pilling materials are always a go-to of mine when having a busy day on campus.
“Real People”
“Real people” clothes? What is that? (said everyone who has been living in their PJs since the pandemic started). I am talking about investing in a few pairs of well fitting jeans suitable for most events like meeting up with friends, going on a picnic, attending sports events, the list goes on. The best jeans fit every and any occasion and also make you feel great. Some of my favorite brands for jeans are Levis, Abercrombie & Fitch and if you want to splurge, MOTHER has great denim styling! Other “real people” clothing items to have on hand are sweaters of different weights for different seasons, a few high quality cotton tee shirts and nicer blouses that can be worn casually or dressed up. Layering is one of my favorite things to do, especially as the weather changes from summer to fall into winter. Having clothing pieces that can be worn year round and layered with other pieces based on the weather is super important when only having a small closet space to work with. Brands I love to shop at for my staple pieces are: Target, Madewell, Abercrombie & Fitch and Aritzia.
Interview/career Related Clothing
This might as well be one of the most crucial categories as you never know when a career fair, job fair or interview might pop up. Having the right clothing to attend these events could make or break your opportunity. I suggest having a dress option as well as a suit option that makes you feel confident yet comfortable. Owning a blazer that can be thrown over most everyday outfits to elevate it one step might save you when you are least expecting it. Pairing these outfits with simple jewelry and mules or loafers are appropriate for any college age student ready to step into the “adult” world. Some of my suggested brands for professional clothing are Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren; these two options are on the pricier end, but you only need a few pieces to feel prepared for any professional event.
Fun/School spirit
Ah, going out. Easily the most sought after part of college. Am I right? Having some fun cocktail dresses, playful tops and jewelry options can easily be pieced together for any invitation from celebrating a friend’s birthday to going out to grab a cocktail or even attending a costume volleyball game. This is the wardrobe part that expresses a little more about yourself so having pieces that fit with your lifestyle and personality can open the doors to meeting new people and so much more. Some of my favorite brands to shop for these fun pieces are Revolve, & Other Stories and Free People. Do not forget school spirit gear (especially if your university takes sporting and school events as seriously as UW-Madison does!)
Seasonal
A more boring, but still important, category of clothing to have is seasonal items. The hot and humid summer temperatures call for proper shorts, summer dresses and tank tops while the long (Wisconsin) winters call for proper puffer coats, boots and warm wear. Also note, rain and wind gear can come in very handy. Some of my favorite brands for outdoor, weather sensitive clothing gear are Patagonia and Lululemon. For footwear, I recommend a fluffy pair of warm Uggs, a pair of Hunter boots for stomping through puddles and a pair of Sorel Joan of Arctic boots for those polar vortex situations.
Leading us to the last section…
shoes
First things first: own slippers. Your floor is probably gross and cold, and who wants their bare feet to touch that!? If you have a nasty shower, shower shoes are also a NEED. As mentioned previously, weather specific footwear is important and here are my other must haves relating to shoes: comfortable tennis shoes for walking, exercising, etc.; sneakers that can be paired with most outfits and dressed up or down; dressy shoes such as mules or loafers, heels or booties; and lastly sandals both comfortable and fashionable (Birkenstocks are my tried and true). Having the proper footwear will save not only your feet from discomfort but also your brain from worrying about not having the proper shoes to match your outfit. My biggest tips for this category are to own neutral shoes that match most things and make sure your footwear is in fact comfortable, as trudging through the day in ill fitting shoes is absolutely no fun.
I hope some of these recommendations and reminders help save you from an uncomfortable or awkward clothing situation where you don’t feel you have the right clothing to attend a certain event.