Before starting my freshman year, I spent around 40 minutes stressing over which black t-shirt to pack; the only difference between the two was a scoop neck vs. an off the shoulder cut! This is the guide I wish I had while packing for college, and the one I use now.
Whether you’re starting your first or final year of college, always remember: less is more when you’re living in a dorm or apartment! You should have enough clean clothes, and underwear, for at least a week in each season. Otherwise you’ll end up doing laundry multiple times a week, something you won’t have time or the willpower for.
Without further ado, here is what I believe to be the definitive guide to what every college girl should have in her wardrobe, the staples you’re actually going to want to be wearing for your four years of college life.
Item with an asterisk next to them will have complete guides written for them soon, stay tuned!
Everyday/Class:
Products L-R: T-shirt – Everlane, Dress – Express, Sweater – H&M, Parka – North Face, Bralette – Free People, Faux Leather Jacket – Uniqlo, Jeans – Madewell, Blouse – Francescas, Backpack – Herschel, Leggings – Under Armour, Sandals – Birkenstocks, Shorts – Topshop
- A week’s worth of Bralettes/Bras/Socks/Underwear: Bring extras for all of these essential items; you never want to be wearing dirty socks! I’ve found a two weeks supply of the above works best for me. Aerie is the best for undies, and I buy my Adidas socks from Costco in value packs. (See our guide to the best bralettes for an in-depth guide to bralette shopping!)
- 4 Classic Tees: Get a few basic tees or tank tops of varying lengths in different basic colors like black, white, grey and navy blue. Also throw in at least one fun tee in your favorite color for variety! These can be worn alone in summer or layered under cardigans, jackets, and long-sleeved tops in winter. (See our guide to everyday outfits for how we love to wear these.)
- 3 Cute Blouses: These would be your trendy pieces that rotate from year to year; my current favorite is the blue Bershka top I’m wearing in my Insta post above! Don’t bring too many from home since they’ll clutter up your closet, and you can easily exchange items between your dorm and house on trips home (or have your parents mail you things if needed).
- 4 Sweaters*: Oversized, cozy sweaters are my favorite thing to wear during the winter, and no one can convince me otherwise. Make sure the vast majority are not dry clean only options; I scored a nice sweater from J.Crew’s clearance section for $20, only to discover I almost never wore it in college because I was afraid of getting it dirty! (Check out our guide to the best sweaters for college to see the types of sweaters you need to pack.)
- 3-4 pairs of Casual Shorts: I have a pair of flowy shorts, some fun printed Lilly Pulitzer shorts, and jean shorts in three colors: dark wash, white, and royal blue.
- 2-3 Casual Skirts*/Dresses*: If you can’t picture yourself being able to sit comfortably in your cute dress or skirt of choice, maybe reconsider packing it. (For more, see our guide to the types of skirts and dresses you need for college!)
- 2-3 pairs of Quality jeans – Google “best jeans for tall girls”, or any other need specific to you, and you’ll find an abundance of advice and articles. Pay attention to the inseam length, quality, and price when buying a pair of jeans.
- 4 Pairs of Black leggings – I suggest buying running or workout leggings since they last longer, lower the chance of panty lines, and can be used for actually working out. Although Lululemon is the popular stand-by, look to other major sports brands and even Old Navy; their leggings hold up surprisingly well even during a workout.
- 2 Pairs of good walking shoes: Popular options include white sneakers, classic Birkenstocks, short booties, and riding boots. (See our article on the best casual shoes for college for an in-depth guide to these!)
- 2 Spring/Fall Coats*: A classic leather or jean jacket can make you look more put-together, and either option goes with practically everything! Don’t forget a sweatshirt with your college logo on it too; school spirit never goes out of style. (For more, see our list of the coats and jackets you need for college.)
- 1 Winter Coat*: Make sure this option is warm and appropriate for the chilly months at your school.
- Jewelry of choice : Buy a cute jewelry organizer if you have a lot of jewelry, and avoid bringing anything too sentimental or expensive if you know you’re prone to losing things (like me, yikes). (See our list of the best jewelry for college for to learn exactly what you need to bring.)
- 1 Backpack or tote: Make sure it’s large enough for your school supplies, secure enough to carry your laptop, and comfortable to carry. Check out this article by Cosmo for some ideas for laptop backpacks, and be sure to see our full guide to bags for college for detailed recommendations.
Working Out
Products: Top – Nike, Sports Bra – Under Armour, Shorts – Nike, Shoes – Brooks
- 1 Pair of Good Sneakers*: It is essential that the shoes you are wearing are designed for the workout of your choice, and are supportive. Injuries are not fun or cute! That being said, don’t be afraid to buy really colorful or fun workout shoes; they’ll motivate you to get out the door and workout more often! (See our guide to the best workout shoes for detailed help finding your perfect pair.)
- 3 Sports Bras: Sports bras come in three types: low impact, medium impact, and high impact. Know what category you need! If you’re an A or B cup, you can also typically get away with medium impact sports bras for high impact activities. My favorite brands for sports bras include Nike and Under Armour. I really like listening to music while running, so I included my favorite sports bra with a pocket that can fit my Samsung Galaxy, id, and keys!
- 4-5 Workout tops: Moisture wicking is key to avoid looking like you jumped in a pool. Definitely invest in some workout tops that are comfortable and cute; you can wear them to class which will motivate you to run straight to the gym afterwards!
- 3-4 Workout bottoms: I swear by my Nike and Brooks running shorts. I’ve had them since high school, and I’ve since concluded that they’re practically indestructible. Bring some sweatpants to throw over your leggings or shorts for the winter time too; no one wants to walk to the gym with freezing legs. Bonus: These all work as back-up pajama bottoms and study clothes!
Social/Going Out
Products: Jumpsuit – Bershka, Dress – Forever 21, Top – Urban Outfitters, Shorts – American Eagle, Heels – DSW, Sneakers – Converse
- 1-2 Casual Statement pieces (Ex: sundress, romper, jumpsuit): Find something comfortable and cute that you would want to wear for brunch with your friends.
- 1 pair of cute heels: Go for block heels or wedges over stilettos; your toes will thank you the next day. That being said, don’t be afraid to buy shoes with different colors, textures, or embellishments!
- 1+ Clubbing Dresses: Bring at least one body-con dress for any formals you might be going to; Forever 21 and Tobi have great inexpensive options! Avoid wearing expensive pieces; you will sweat while dancing, and you might be spilled on. Swap with friends to expand options!
- 3 sets of “Fratting” Clothes: If you plan on going out to frat parties in college, you need “fratting” clothes. That means a pair of beat up converse, machine washable crop tops, and your hardiest pair of jean shorts. While movies show girls dressed to the nines and wearing nice heels, this is not reality. You will be spilled on, stepped on, but hopefully not puked on. Add an inexpensive jacket that you would be okay with losing for the colder months, preferably not black since it will be impossible to locate in a giant pile. (See our post on frat party outfits for even more ideas!)
Other College Clothing Essentials
Products: Bathrobe – Amazon, Tank top – Target, Pants – Amazon, Slides – Adidas, Rainboots – Joules, Umbrella – Amazon
- 1 Pair of Good Rainboots or Snow boots: This is mostly dependent on where you go to school; check with current students to find out if your campus handles rain well, Hopkins doesn’t, and if snow will be a concern. Since it doesn’t snow much at Hopkins, I can get away with my Joules boots, pictured above. They’re also a great dupe for Hunter boots, and they’ve held up well in the past year! Duck boots are a great option for snowy campuses.
- 1 Umbrella: Trust me, you’ll be stuck walking in the rain to class at least once. Be sure to check out our list of can’t-forget college accessories for even more items you need to pack.
- 1 Pair of Shower Shoes: Please don’t even think about setting foot in a communal shower without shower shoes; you can’t be sure what you’re stepping in. I’m a big fan of my Adidas slides but clean flip flops work too!
- 1 Bathrobe & 1 Set of Really Cozy PJs: For my freshman girls using communal bathrooms, a bathrobe will save you the trouble of worrying about a nip slip as you walk down the halls in a towel. Bring your favorite cozy pjs to remind you of home, and to reward yourself after all that studying!
What are your college wardrobe must-haves?
So there you have it, the top items that should be in every college girl’s closet. Of course, these are just my opinions and you might have your own ideas about this too. Let me know if you agree with me, or if you think something is missing by leaving a comment or sending an email!
What are your closet essentials? Let me know in the comments!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2008; it was completely updated and revamped in 2018 with new photos, items, and information.
