Clothes for students
Short answer: As a student you need clothes that work for lectures, the library, bike rides and evenings with friends. Choose pieces that can be combined, cope with frequent washing and are comfortable to sit in.
A student day calls for many kinds of clothing
A day can start with a cold bike ride, continue in an overheated lecture hall and end in a library with draughts from the windows. You sit still for many hours and still need to get around. It is hard to dress right for everything, so layers are the best solution. Clothes that can be taken off and put on give you control, wherever you are.
Comfortable to sit in
Long lectures and study days mean many hours on a chair. Choose clothes with a soft waistband that does not press, and avoid stiff seams that rub against your back. See CCDK. Clothes with a little stretch move with you when you lean over books and screens. Labels at the neck can become irritating after a whole day, so cut them off or choose styles with printed labels.
Layers against cold rooms
Many reading rooms and lecture halls are cold, especially in winter, and a thin layer under your clothes makes a big difference. See bamboo long johns. You can wear them under ordinary trousers without anyone seeing, and take them off if the room gets warm. Choose a thin, smooth material so they do not bunch under the trousers, and make sure they reach right down to the ankle.
Underwear for long days
Underwear has to cope with many hours and shifts between cold and warm. Choose a soft, breathable material without coarse seams so you can forget about it. See bamboo underpants for men. Keep enough changes so you do not have to wash every day, and pack a spare pair in your bag if you will be away from home for a long time. It makes everyday life a little easier when time is short.
Washing in everyday life
As a student you may share a washing machine or have little time, so simple care is worth its weight in gold. Choose clothes that can be washed at 30 to 40 degrees with the rest of the laundry and need no ironing. Hang them up straight away so they do not crease, and avoid the tumble dryer if you share it with others and do not control the programme. Keep enough changes for a week so you can build up a full load.
A wardrobe that does it all
You do not need many things if you choose pieces that go together. Start with neutral colours such as black, grey, white and navy, and add a few pieces with colour. Choose clothes that work for both the lecture and the evening, so you do not have to change all the time. Buy new when something is worn out or no longer fits, and welcome second hand clothes if they are in good condition.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to lectures
Something soft and comfortable in layers, so you can adapt to the temperature. Avoid tight waistbands and coarse seams when you sit for hours.
How do I keep warm in cold reading rooms
Use thin layers such as long johns under your trousers, a soft jumper and warm socks. Take layers off if the room gets warm.
How many sets of clothes do I need as a student
Enough for a week of use, so you can wash a full load at a time. Choose pieces that can be combined so you can manage with fewer.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
