What Underwear To Pack For College
The most important thing to start with is your underwear, obviously. This is something you can count on wearing every day . Youll want to bring more than you think you need in this category when it comes to packing clothes for college.
Why? Because constantly washing your clothes is a hassle in college, and you want to count on always having clean undies in college. Heres my recommendation:
- 15+ Pairs of underwear This should include a variety! Dont dump all your comfortable pairs because youre a grown up in college now! Variety is always good!
- 2 Pairs of tights You always need a backup pair!
- 3+ Bras Id recommend at least 3 everyday bras, in addition to some sports bras depending on how active you are.
- 15+ Socks Again, variety is key. Pack a few pairs of warm socks if youre heading somewhere known to be cold.
- 2 Bathing suits I went to college in Florida, so I might be biased, but at least bring 1 bathing suit. You never know!
Bella Ella Boutique Online Boutique For Women
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Have a special occasion coming up? Our lineup of formal dresses make it easy to shop for weddings, anniversaries, photoshoots, parties, or graduation. Just looking for new in-season styles? Our outerwear collection will warm you right up as the months grow colder this fall. Choose from cozy sweaters, trendy shackets, and comfy coats. Complete your look with our collection of boutique shoes.
Shop Bella Ella’s online boutique for a large selection of boutique clothing guaranteed to fit everyones unique style.
College Clothes For Women
We might have started as a men’s only college destination for the softest clothes, but our buyers have been hard at work over the past 2 years growing our women’s collections for all you college girls. Check out the boyfriend tees, fleece hoodies, joggers and of course crop tops for class work and social time. And with everything we sell online, you know it’s soft and comfy for all day wearing.
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Your College Wardrobe: Why Less Is More
I honestly cannot stress enough the importance of bringing less rather than more. If you dont wear it at home, youre not going to wear it at college. Its the truest fact of life.
Honestly, my wardrobe, for the most part, consists of like two shorts, maybe a pair of jeans, and like three shirts that all look exactly the same . Knowing this, I brought my wardrobe staples and left the stuff I dont usually wear at home.
Dorm rooms are TINY. Literally, tiny. Once I lived in a closet dorm so small, there was no dresser. I had to get seriously creative to make that work! So always bring less, and you can add on from there!
H& m And Target For Essentials And Grailed Or Depop For Gently Worn Designer Duds

H& M and Target carry a great assortment of basics.
Jacob, a rising sophomore at the University of Oregon, says that most of his day-to-day clothes are thrifted from places like Goodwill or bought new on the cheap from stores like H& M and Target. But now he has an on-campus job, which means he has some spare cash to explore high-end resale sites and apps like Grailed and Depop. When browsing through either app, hell look for pieces from Carhartt, Columbia, and The North Face.
Thrift shops are really hit or miss, but the look that Im usually looking for is something vintage, he says. Most of these brands provide a minimalistic look that wont bring attention to me, yet are still stylish.
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Shopping For School Clothes Made Easy And Fun
We’re your go-to store for stocking up on school uniforms for boys and girls. Polo shirts are pill resistant and keep their shape so kids will look smart all day. Kids will enjoy recess more with moisture-wicking features that pull the sweat away from the body, keeping them dry and cool. UV protection is also built into some fabrics to better block the sun. JCPenney offers the high-quality back to school clothes brands you know and trust, including Adidas, Levis, Puma, Champion, Reebok, and Fila. We also have a great selection of adaptive school uniforms from Thereabouts for children with sensory, dexterity, and/or mobility needs. All the common core clothes are here, too: jeans, tees, shorts, and underwear for girls and boys, young men, and juniors. Add in some standout pieces like skirts, activewear and accessories, and their school outfit will be head of the class. Wherever your child is in the growth stage, there’s a size that fits.
Kohls To Stay Trendy On A Budget
Kohl’s carries trendy items at a less expensive rate than some other stores.
There can be a lot of pressure to keep up with fashion in high school and collegewhich is tough for many people who dont have unlimited funds to do so. Shane is a rising sophomore at Emerson College who likes fashion but also likes saving money, so he shops at Kohls for his apparel. I like shopping at Kohls for back to school stuff, he says. I like their clothes and its so much cheaper than a trendy store like Urban Outfitters.
Nashley, a rising senior in high school in Attleboro, MA, also loves to shop at Kohls for clothes. She says they last her a long time and she loves all the deals and prices, especially the clearance section. In fact, Kohls merchandise seems to be perpetually on sale and the site offers a million coupons via its online newsletter, so be sure to sign up for that before you go shopping.
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What To Consider When Packing Clothes For College
There are a lot of things to keep in mind when packing for college. Lets go through the most important things so you dont get caught without the important stuff. Not having what you need is a real pain, but dont fret. You can always buy what you need on campus or nearby!
How frequently will you travel home in college?
First, youll need to consider how frequently youll be going home. For me, in boarding school, I went home very few times a year. However, if you live pretty close to your campus you might find yourself going home for long weekends throughout the semester.
When I studied abroad, for example, I didnt go home for almost 6 months. That means I had to bring what I needed for several seasons or buy things along the way.
If youre going to be away from home until winter break, youll probably need to bring more clothing than if you plan to go home a few times before December. Remember, its always better to bring less than to bring too much! I know this sounds crazy and downright terrifying if this is your first time living away from home, but trust me! Youll likely buy more clothes once you get to campus, and you can always grab more clothes when you do eventually go home. Ive even had my parents mail me clothes from home before!
Whats the weather like?
I went to college in Florida, so I packed a lot differently than someone going to school in New York. Its important to keep in mind the climate and the time of year.
What will you be doing?
Shoes To Bring To College
Finally, I would like to comment on shoes. When I studied abroad, I was SHOCKED at just how many shoes some of my friends deemed necessary, when in reality they only wore two or three pairs the entire semester. You DO NOT need 5 pairs of stilettos !!! I repeat: YOU DO NOT NEED 5 PAIRS OF STILETTOS!
Think about what outfits youve packed when choosing your shoes. These need to match or else you wont wear them!
- 1 Pair of heels As I said before, I dont think you need very many pairs of heels unless youre wearing them all the time. Your favorite pair will get the job done!
- 1+ Pair of sneakers I wear sneakers to run, so I just brought athletic sneakers. You might bring another pair if you plan to wear sneakers to class.
- 1+ Pair of flats Flats can be used for going out, professional events, or even just class.
- 2 Sandals I wore sandals all the time in college. Again, I went to school in Florida!
- 1 Flip flops Flip flops are good for lounging around, but theyre also essential if you have a communal dorm shower.
- 1 Pair of rain boots If it rains a lot, invest in some rain boots.
- 1 Pair of boots I love boots when I go out, but theyre also great for the winter.
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Top 20 Best Stores For Fashion On A Budget
Because anyone can look stylish, regardless of budget!
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At some point in your life as a stylish college girl, youll face an important choice: buying clothes, or buying books? Since books are non-negotiable in college, if you want to maximize your leftover dollars, you need to know where to shop.
There are tons of discount clothing stores out there, but which ones are worth shopping at, and which arent? Some cheap shopping sites are fabulous, but many are just cheap! There are tons of affordable clothing retailers with low prices and stylish clothes you just need to know which ones to shop.
If you have champagne taste on a beer budget, dollar store clothing is not gonna cut it. You need to shop at the right places.
To help you out, heres the official College Fashion love list of the top 20 best stores for fashion on a college budget. Visit these affordable clothing stores, shop right, and no one will know that your outfit didnt cost a fortune!
Pack Light And Save Room For New Stuff
Keep in mind, too, that you should err on the side of not bringing too much instead of overdoing it. Once you get to campus, chances are you’ll sport for a new sweatshirt when they’re on sale in the bookstore, go shopping around town with some friends one weekend, end up with tons of t-shirts from events or clubs on campus, and even swap clothes with other people in your residence hall.
Clothes have a tendency of multiplying suddenly on college campuses, so as long as you have some basics with you when you arrive you should be set.
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Back To School Clothes Shopping List For The College Girl
This list is not intended to replace a college dorm packing list, but is a list of suggestions of new items you may need to add to your wardrobe before going back to school. For example, I am not suggesting that you only take 5 pairs of underwear to college. Im assuming you already own underwear, and you are adding 5 new pairs before going back to school.
In 2021, try:
- I will never advocate for low-waisted jeans, but they are starting to trend
- Black and nude bodysuits
- Bright colors and fun 70s patterns
- Muted and pastel colors
- Shoulder bags
- Puffed and ruffled sleeves
- 5 pairs of white socks
- 5 pairs of black socks
- 2 nude camisoles
- 1 pair of black leggings
- 2 pairs of athletic shorts
- 2 athletic tank tops
- 2 pairs of blue jeans
- 2 pairs of jean shorts
- 1 pairs of black jeans
- 2 black tank tops
- 1 pair of white sneakers
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of tennis shoes
- 1 pair of casual sneakers
- 1 pair of dress shoes
Skip The Bookstore And Order From Our Favorite Sites Instead

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Whether you’re learning from home, heading back to campus, or if you’re an alum that just wants to show some school spirit, college apparel never goes out of style. And, thankfully, the on-campus stores aren’t the only places where you can shop for some cute stuff.
If you’re ready to restock your collegiate apparel, keep on scrolling to see some of our favorite sites with fan gear to rep the Penn State Nittany Lions, Alabama Crimson Tide, and more.
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Athletic Clothes For College
I worked out a bit in college, so if you plan to also be active, youll want to bring some gear. How much you pack will depend on just how often you plan to work out. If youre on a sports team, youll need to stock up on more athletic gear.
- 2 Shorts/leggings Pack your favorite workout bottoms, whether you prefer shorts or leggings. I found that 2 was enough for me, but you might need more.
- 3 Athletic tops Youll need a few workout tops to match. Make sure these are easy to pair with any of your bottoms.
- 2+ Spandex shorts I love wearing spandex shorts to the gym, but they also double as great extra protection under dresses/skirts.
- 3+ Sports bras Sports bras are perfect for working out and also for lazy days.
- 1 Windbreaker Finally, make sure youve got a layer for when you want to work out in the chilly weather.
Chic College Girl Fashion Outfits To Be Appealing
The statement of fashion is increasing day by day and brings many new designs and patterns with it to enhance our style. Fashion is the best way to show our personality in the society. Girls have their own personal way of styling the dresses that suits according to their interests. In todays highly modernized world, every girl wants to serve as an inspiration to many other girls.
College girls love to get funky and always look for new fashion outfit ideas that are more trendy and stylish. Young college girls love to wear figure-flattering and easy dresses as their latest style. In summers, some of the girls like to wear loose dresses as their college dress that are light in color and perfect for hanging out with friends in evening while others may like to wear loose long sleeves tops as their college dress. It totally depends on how comfortable you feel in that outfit. Here is a collection of tattoo design you can find the best according to your choice and requirement.
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Mall Stores For When You Need Something Quickly And Outlet Stores For Value
Mall and outlet stores like Urban Outfitters and J. Crew are popular among many students.
Two big factors determine where I go back-to-school clothes shopping, says Kimi, a rising senior in high school in Vienna, VA. Convenience and price.
If shes after convenience, shell head to the mallits right down the road from her houseand shop at stores like Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Francescas, Forever 21, and PacSun. If shes looking for deals, shell shop sales online or go to the outlets. Online and at outlets, shell stay consistent with PacSun and American Eagle, and add on Nike and J. Crew or J. Crew Factory.
Poor Little Rich Girl Boutique
Look for: Poor Little Rich Girl Boutique is a local resale clothing shop in Phoenix that offers upscale brand clothing for women. High-end brands like Zara, Lululemon, and Louis Vuitton, among others, are sold for less than their traditional selling price. If youre on a budget but are looking to go-all-out on a designer bag for back-to-school season, Poor Little Rich Girl is a great option for all your top-end buys. Poor Little Rich Girl is located at 1582 E Bethany Home Rd Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Best for: College girls
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College Apparel That Can Handle Anything You Throw At It
This is more than a t-shirt or a crewneck sweatshirt with your school’s logo on the front. Our durable designs are made for life on and beyond campus. Whether you’re heading home for a weekend visit, going on a trip with your club, or packing a hiking bag for a backpacking adventure with your new friends, we’ve got the sportswear that can keep up step-for-step. Our unisex college sweatshirts are perfect for a night out or for a night spent sleeping under the stars. Joggers will love our long- and short-sleeve shirts for early morning runs before class. And our flip-flops and slides are easy to slip on to head to the caf or as camp shoes on a hiking trip. Pick your favorite durable style.
Get ready for a life on campus with college clothes to wear to class and on weekends. Get comfortable and get studying with college clothing essentials.
Figure Out What To Spend And What To Save On
This will be different for everyone depending on your budget and how often youll wear something.
My personal rule is if Ill probably only wear it a few times and its not for a super-special occasion, Ill buy it on the inexpensive side.
If its the kind of thing I know I will be wearing a lot, like a pair of dark wash jeans or a well cut blazer, Ill splurge on it. Quality is important when it comes to the things you wear on a daily basis. Also, I have a personal rule that I never, ever buy cheap shoes Ive learned that lesson the hard way.
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