What To Bring In Your College Closet!

The Yes and No's for the Ultimate College Wardrobe

It's crazy to think that I am moving into my freshman dorm in just two short weeks. Though I have been filled with anticipation and excitement, the reality of moving has set in. As someone whose closet is constantly growing, I've done my research about what needs to carry over into my college wardrobe with such limited space. According to the upperclassmen I’ve talked with, narrowing down your closet can be a difficult part of packing for school, so here are 6 tips for making that process a little bit easier.

Tip one: Store seasonal items at home

Keeping unworn bulky jackets and sweaters for half the year is pointless and only wastes closet/room space. To maximize your storage, leave seasonal items at home and cut your wardrobe in half in the process. Take only a few staple pieces jackets and long sleeve tops for fluctuating weather and tuck the rest away in storage!

Tip two: comb through your clothing and decide what you need (and don’t)

I know when it comes to clothes, it's hard to get rid of items you’ve invested money in. However, the truth is you do not need 5 different black cocktail dresses or 7 different washes of blue jeans. Simplify your closet by picking one of all your duplicate items. Consider what you wear day-to-day and what you haven't touched in a couple of months. Identifying items that you don't wear anymore will help with the decision of what makes the final college closet cut. Clear out your old high school sport jerseys and t-shirts at the bottom of your drawers (you’ll get so many your freshman year!)

Tip Three: Invest in basics

Basic staples will be essential for your college wardrobe because of their versatile use. You can dress up these pieces or wear them casually for various activities and events. My favorite place to shop for basics is H&M or Zara. Both stores have affordable and good quality pieces that will last and look fabulous. So what kind of basics should you look for? Tanks and Tees make a great minimal look. Pair a tank with jean shorts and a hat for a cute day to day look. Dress up a tank with pants and jewelry for more formal wear. The opportunities are endless with tanks and tees. Jeans are another important closet staple that you can build an outfit off of. You'll need white, black, and blue wash. Mix up the rise and cut of the jeans and you can base any outfit off of them.

Tip Four: Accessories are your best friends

You can change and outfit drastically with fun accessories. Your jewelry doesn't have to be expensive, but I would recommend investing in some simple accessories that will last. Start with your basics like gold chains and hoop earrings, then add in fun colors and shapes. Hair scarves, hats, purses, belts, will also elevate and outfit.

Tip Five: Bring themed clothing

This is great for any school, but especially those with greek life on campus. Fraternities and sororities have date parties year around with a variety of themes, so it’s a good idea to keep some common themed apparel (western, neon, beach, etc) in your closet for easy and reusable access. Even if it’s not a date party for greek life, there will always be parties and at least a few of them will be themed. This also includes cheap pairs of sneakers that you are willing to get dirty, are easily washable, or can be worn with various outfits.

Tip 6: Get a few professional clothing items

College is full of fun, but it also offers endless opportunities to build your resume and professional network. Whether interviewing for a job, running for a position in an organization, or attending an awards ceremony, it’s vital to have pieces like dress pants, a blazer, appropriate shoes like flats or sandals, and a few nice tops. You can find these items for cheap at thrift stores or places like TJ Maxx.

xoxo,

Amelia's Closet