While some people like to bring their entire wardrobe to college and some bring enough to last a week, there are a few things you can do/learn in preparation for moving into college. And just remember, it is okay if you forget a few things. You can always get that item when you are home for fall or winter break, or even have someone from home mail it to you. In order to avoid these instances, however, here are 6 ways to concoct a perfectly functional college wardrobe:
Build a foundation
For starters, you will wear a lot less than you think. If you consistently do your laundry every week or so, you will be able to wear your favorite and most worn items without running out of clothing. It is smart to look in your closet and pick out what you wear most on both warmer and colder days. From there, pick out what you would wear if your favorite items were dirty. This is a great start to building a foundational wardrobe for college.
Pack your clothes the right way
There are a few ways you can pack your clothes that are more logical than shoving them in a garbage bag or suitcase. First, make sure that you can fit whatever you may be packing somewhere in your dorm room. You may want to fold and place your clothing in a larger storage bin, so you can easily unpack and slide the bin underneath your bed.
Another great and popular way to pack your clothes is in Ikea bags. The famous blue storage bags hold a large amount of clothing without breaking. An upside to these bags is that you can use them when visiting home for a weekend or a friend at another university.
Separate by season
Because the fall semester is mainly during the warmer seasons, you won’t need to bring all of your winter essentials. Of course, bring a few hoodies, a few pairs of pants (both sweats and jeans) and a warmer jacket. You can, however, leave your winter coat and hats at home to bring back after fall break. This will leave room for other items in the car and some room for new clothes in your closet (who doesn’t love a little back-to-school shopping).
College spirit clothes
Whether you have a few t-shirts in your closet already or plan to head to the bookstore after moving in, it’s always a great idea to have some pride clothes at hand. Everyone loves to show their love for their school on game days, and for OU, you’ll want to have some green and white for the annual homecoming weekend.
Many websites and Instagram accounts make custom college spirit wear, too. This way, you won’t be showing up to the event in the same shirt as someone else and you’ll have a unique outfit. A few popular websites include Etsy, Hype and Vice and Fresh Prints.
Formal occasions
Whether you want to join an organization on-campus or not, it’s not a bad idea to have a few formal outfits, just in case you may end up needing to dress up. If you plan to rush Greek life, having a few dresses or a suit and more formal outfits will save you time when figuring out what to wear during rush week and for your first date party.
It is also key to have professional clothing if you plan to rush a professional organization. There are plenty of opportunities at OU, and you will impress your peers by showing up in business casual/professional attire.
Cut down on shoes
You only need your basics: a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of sneakers you don’t care about getting beat up and a pair of sandals/flip flops for summer and boots for the winter. All other shoes are optional, depending on your style and if you like to switch up your shoe game. Other than that, the bare minimum is what you are going to be wearing for the most part.