Cutting down the size of your wardrobe is an extremely difficult task. Having to part with your beloved clothes is always hard. Who knows when that screwed up jumper at the bottom of your wardrobe will come back into fashion? So, how do you decide what to take to university? Well I’m here to help, having just finished my first year of uni and having lived away from home, I know the struggle of taking a fraction of your wardrobe, because five suitcases just won’t fit in the car. So, what are the essentials? Here’s the Top Ten of what I believe are the staple items/outfits of any student’s life, from daytime chic to glamorous nights.
What should you pack when you leave home?
The Fairytale Formal Wear
Yes, I am starting with the most formal outfit but it will be the outfit you will never think of bringing. It does not matter what course you are doing, always have a smart outfit on standby as there will be professional days and presentations you will be expected to attend and it never hurts to make a good impression. In my first year I had a pair of smart trousers and a blouse, which came in extremely handy when I thought the night before a presentation I had nothing formal to wear.
My Recommendations: A smart top and trousers are the easiest and comfiest outfit to wear to these occasions, paired with a blazer you’ll look like a refined business woman.
The Gym Goddess
Join the university gym. This is a very important bit of advice I can give you as it will fill your days and help you de-stress from the intensity of the first months of lectures. So a gym kit is necessary as I didn’t think I’d need one in my first year - but as it got to October, I instantly regretted my decision.
My Recommendations: If you want to splash the cash Nike and Adidas have a huge range of sports wear, however I opted for the cheaper version and got the whole kit from Asda.
The Basic T
These are the staple of your outfits at uni, I only wish I had brought more with me! Basic tops such as crop tops, V neck, long sleeved, short sleeved the list is endless will really help to create more outfits without crowding your wardrobe. I would insist on getting a range of each style in colours like black, grey, white and then a few brighter colours for the summer.
My Recommendations: Any top which can be easily thrown on, New Look and Missguided are extremely helpful for this type of top.
The Super Skirt
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Super Skirt. That’s right this skirt would give superman a run for his money. Its’ super power? It has the ability to change for the occasion. It can be worn in the day with a basic top, some ankle boots in the winter or sandals in the summer for an outfit worthy of day drinks. However as night falls, it can be paired with strappy heels, a crop top and some hoops making you perfect for the clubbing scene. You’ll feel like superwoman in your power skirt. With the limited storage in your uni wardrobe, having a couple of these babies will dazzle your new friends.
My Recommendations: Leather skirts, simple and plain tight skirts or long skirts.
The Cinderella Heel
This pair of heels will never let you down and are a perfect fit for the student life. You can throw them on with any outfit and they match every time. I dubbed these magical shoes The Cinderella Heels which can be worn every time you’re going out out except they won’t disappear at 12 o’clock, they’ll keep you dancing ‘til dawn. I had a pair of these in black and I still have them, they were a godsend on spontaneous nights out and best of all I never had any blisters or sore feet!
My Recommendations: Black wedges, black pin heels or black stilettos.
The Going ‘Out Out’ Dress
Whatever dress popped into your head as your read that subtitle is the one you must bring. Will it be the little black dress? Wearing this little number can turn any event classy. Or will it be Diamante galore? Wearing a sparkly dress will definitely knock their socks off and show you as belle of the ball. Whether it is one of these or another style, a ‘going out out’ dress is essential for those cocktail nights when the student loans drops, so make sure to get lots of those in before the money runs out!
My Recommendations: Little Black Dress, Sparkly Dress, Long Dress, Skater Dress or Tight dress
The Lazy Leggings
After the excitement of the night before then follows the hangover but wait, you have a lecture at 9am. Have no fear, keep yourself comfy in The Lazy Leggings. Just slip these on and feel like you’re still wearing your PJs. I recommend pairing with a hoodie and sunnies to complete the hungover student look. I know that outfit too well as even a 9am lecture won’t stop you going out ‘til 5am.
My Recommendations: Stretchy Black Leggings Primark do an excellent range for only £2!
The Transforming Trainers
No I’m not talking about the robots, however like the transforming cars these trainers can go from daytime chic to the perfect shoe for clubbing nights. Whether you’re going to lectures, the shops, the pub or clubbing this pair of trainers can be worn at all events. As a student you need the cheapest option and what’s better than a shoe that has the multi purpose of being able to transform from day to night. I have never been a trainer person but there’s certain places which are a no heel zone. My converse came into use throughout my time at uni so much so they are now worn out after first year, just like me.
My Recommendations: Converse Pumps in black, Adidas pumps in black or Nike pumps in black
The Hangover Hoodie
What a better way to hideaway from the world than to sink into the hangover hoodie. This is one of the most worn pieces of clothing at uni as it hides a multitude of sins from the night before. Disguise the fact you are hanging by wearing the hangover hoodie to your 10am lecture just make sure you bring lots of water to help you through. I wore hoodies so many times that I think my lecturer and friends began to notice the pattern of me trying to cover the fact I was dying. This is highly recommended to bring with you because you will not be saying ‘No’ to any nights out.
My Recommendations: Nike hoodie, Hard Rock Cafe hoodie, Adidas hoodie, Topshop hoodie or your university hoodie
And in at Number 1 ….
The Jeans of Your Dreams
This pair of jeans are so dreamy they can be worn day and night. Let these dream boats give you the best fashion of your first year. Whether they’re black, blue, grey or white these jeans will be a useful piece of clothing throughout your first year. From casual days out or lectures to nights out these jeans can adapt to any occasion.
My Recommendations: Topshop are the best for jeans as they are super comfy however each pair is £40, so a cheaper option would be New Look as they are the same look and feel at half the price.
By Fionnuala McNulty, follow me on Twitter @FionnualaMcNult
Tagged in University