So here you are at the starting line, poised to run head-first into the crazy, exciting world known as college life. Chances are, you’ll be dragging an assortment of school supplies, boxes of ramen (bought in bulk) and possibly a mini-fridge. So with all of that junk crowding up the cinderblock prison known to outsiders as your dorm room, you are not going to have a significant amount of room to stow your clothing collection.
I know, I know—you are going to want to haul your entire wardrobe to campus with you. But frankly, you won’t have enough room to store everything you have ever bought, especially if you’re an avid shopper. So what are the bare necessities for a
college kid’s closet?
It’s going to be hot the first few weeks, so listen carefully: bring tank tops. Since they’re not particularly bulky, I’d advise bringing at least five. Ladies, stock up on camis; gentlemen, grab some tank tops.
Since the layered look is very in, get various colors and keep in mind that as the weather cools you can pile T-shirts, hoodies or sweaters on top of them. Tanks can be worn alone as well—this is college and no one is going to send you home for showing off a bit of scandalous naked shoulder.
Shorts will be needed as well, but you don’t need to go too crazy, since jeans weather will kick in not long after classes start. You don’t need to go too crazy with jeans either, since they are pretty bulky, basically look the same and can be re-worn without washing unless they get too stretched out or soiled. I suggest bringing your two favorite pairs, maybe a third if you are mostly a “jean-sy” sort of person.
Bring at least one hoodie, maybe your comfiest. I’m not a hoodie person by any means, but trust me, there will be times when you will be begging and pleading for that hoodie to mysteriously drop from the heavens if you choose to not take it with you. When it’s rainy and windy out, a trusty hoodie will be the most convenient and comfortable way of surviving the daily walks from class to class.
Which segues perfectly into the next must have item for college—boots. It’s extremely unlikely that every one of your classes will be in the same building; those days are long gone. When you have to walk halfway across campus in the middle of a torrential downpour to get to your math class, you are going to need something to keep your socks from getting sloshy and swampy.
Rainboots are a good investment and they can be bought in a great variety of colors and patterns, from polka dots to hot pink. If rainboots aren’t your thing, any boot made from material that’s not easily penetrable by water will do. That means Uggs are out of the question, unless you want to save them for not-so-wet days. Don’t forget at least one pair of sneakers and some flip-flops for warmer weather.
T-shirts are an old standby, so don’t skimp on these. Bring a few favorites—again don’t drag along your whole wardrobe.
Sweatpants are great for lazy days and yoga pants are not only perfect lazy day clothing, but very, very hot right now.
These will also come in handy if you are planning on taking any classes that require physical activity, such as a dance or martial arts course, or if you are planning on showing that freshman fifteen who’s boss by hitting the Rec/IM regularly.
Lastly, don’t forget at least one ensemble that won’t look out of place at a formal setting. You never know when you might need a dressy outfit and when you live halfway across the country, you can’t just drive back home and grab your old suit. Be prepared for this kind of stuff.
College isn’t exactly a fashion show, but it does require some savvy to discern what you’ll need and what can be left in your soon-to-be-abandoned bedroom back home. Use some common sense, and you won’t have to fret about cramming ten boxes of clothes in your dorm.
