How Many Clothes Should You Bring To College

Packing for college and don’t know what clothes to bring? Read this college clothes packing list to help you out!

Thinking about bringing your whole closet to your dorm room? You might want to think twice about that. Packing too many clothes was one of my dorm packing regrets because I didn’t wear half of those clothes and they took up too much space. Here is a college clothes packing list with everything you need to bring.

This blog post was sponsored by VICI Collection. Students can get a 20% discount on their orders from VICI Collection! It’s one of the more generous student discounts out there!

Before we begin:

It’s important to consider what you will be doing in college. Some of you are athletes and will be wearing more sportswear compared to other students. Maybe you’re planning to be in a sorority, so you’ll need outfits for Rush Week and formals. Maybe you will be working an internship some days, you’ll need more business casual or business formal clothing.

It’s vital that you also remember what your schedule and semester plans are to adjust your college clothing packing list.

Also, if you are moving into a dorm room, download my freebie to help you pack everything you need for college:

The Ultimate College Clothes Packing List

Tops:

1-2 Sweatshirts

One of the most common things you’ll see people wearing on college campuses are sweatshirts. From the ones with the college’s logo to basic comfortable ones, you’ll find them.

4-5 Tops

It’s essential to bring some tops. These tops can be anything—e.g. crop tops, t-shirts, bodysuits, blouses, etc. Most likely something you wear most of the time. Some places I recommend to buy nice tops that last for a while are Lulus, Aerie, Banana Republic, Madewell, and VICI Collection.

1 Tunic/Oversized Shirt

Click to buy on VICI Collection!

I recommend having one oversize shirt that can be dressed up or down as part of your college clothing packing list. I recommend the KAYLIE WAIST TIE BUTTON DOWN TUNIC from VICI Collection because of how it can be great for a casual class day or dressed up for a night out with friends. If you are a student, you can get a 20% discount at VICI Collection!

2-3 Camisoles/Tank Tops

This honestly depends on your campus’ environment. I went to school in the HOT AND HUMID south where wearing tank tops was normal.

Outerwear:

1-2 Cardigan

Click to buy on VICI Collection.com!

I had a cardigan era during college. I wanted them so badly my freshman year because they are light enough to keep you warm but not too heavy like a jacket. They also are so versatile. I love the Harbor Side Pocketed Button Front Cardigan in Navy from VICI Collection. Students and recent graduates are about to get a 20% discount on VICI Collection clothing!

It’s the best cardigan for studying since it fits the academic aesthetic.

But make sure to bring a cardigan with you.

1 Heavy Jackets (2 if you live in a colder area)

Despite what you think, you’ll need a nice warm coat or jacket. In November and December, it’ll get cold. I recommend bringing more than one if you go to school in an area that’s colder.

Meanwhile, if you are in a warmer state, then bring one. I went to school in the hot, humid Louisiana weather. You looked stupid if you wore jeans while walking on campus. So bringing a heavy winter jacket was kind of iffy, but when cold hit campus was empty. LOL. No one was prepared, but the students from the north. But overall, bring a winter jacket.

1-2 Casual Hoodies

You’ll need a hoodie for casual days on campus!

1 Raincoat

If you listen to one thing from this college clothes packing list, then pack a raincoat. I’m being serious. You don’t understand rainy days on campus until you face one. A raincoat will make your life easier. Trust me, you do not understand how annoying rainy days are on campus, especially when no one expects it.

Bottoms:

2-3 Pair of Jeans

Have a few pair of jeans for the weekend and for casual days. Also, it’ll depend on your campus, but I went to a school that was a walking campus so it was uncomfortable and exhausting to wear jeans all day in the heat. But I still packed a few for the weekend.

3-4 Pair of Shorts

Walking around campus will be a major part of your college routine—no matter what major you are or what you do. Have a few pair of shorts packed. It can be a variety from jean shorts to athletic shorts. Just pack them!

1-2 Skirts

Skirts aren’t everyone’s thing, but I think having a few won’t hurt. Never know when you might want to hang out with friends at a fancy restaurant or when you want variety in your wardrobe.

Optional:

1 Skort

Skorts made a comeback. I find them very comfortable versus skirts and even some of my shorts. I have this skort from Madewell and it can be found at Nordstrom.

Dresses:

1-2 Casual Dresses or Rompers

Have a dress or two in your wardrobe for casual days. I also liked wearing rompers on campuses where I had a laid-back day.

1-2 Business/Formal Dresses

I recommend that you definitely buy or bring at least one outfit that is business casual because some classes will have presentations where you have to dress up. Also, if you are in a sorority or club, then they’ll have some dress codes for events like formal and semi-formal.

Shoes:

2 pairs of walking shoes

I have two pairs of walking shoes my first semester on campus. I also recommend that you rotate these shoes since you’ll be using these shoes a lot. Even if you don’t have sneakers, at least have shoes that are comfortable for your feet.

Purses/Handbags/Wallet

I recommend having 1-2 purses/handbags in general while in college. If you have a wallet, then definitely bring that.

Tote Bags

Tote bags were popular on campus, ngl. So many students used them as an alternative to backpacks. I also recommend having them for groceries.

Related: A First Apartment Grocery List To Help Stock Your Kitchen

Winter Gear

Winter gear will vary from state to state and country (if you plan to study abroad). I’d pack some items to be safe like scarves, hats, and gloves.

Again, I went to school in the South. It snows maybe once or twice a year so my winter gear will be totally different from someone living in the North! Bring what you think will work for you in the winter.

Athleisure Wear:

I personally recommend and wore a lot of leggings and sports bras when I was in college.

2 pairs of athletic shorts

Similar to the shorts earlier, I recommend having a few pairs. I recommend them better, especially if you are going to a school that is considering a walking campus. Nike and Adidas have some great options for shorts.

2-3 sports bras

Look I’m going to be so honest: just get sports bras. You will sweat a lot on campus walking from building to building in the summer, especially if the climate is warmer. So many of my non-sport bras were ruined after a few weeks of being on campus.

2 pairs of leggings (maybe a thick pair colder/rainy days)

Leggings are probably the main thing I wore after my first semester once I learned. There’s great for the fall and spring, but also for the winter if you can find a thicker pair. Leggings are probably the first thing I’d put on my college clothes packing list.

Hosiery:

A bunch of underwear

You need underwear. Bring a lot of them!

2-3 Bras

You’ll also need bras!

1-2 Sports Bras

As previously mentioned in the athletic section, sports bras will be handy, especially on hot days. Bring more, if you plan to work out at the campus’s recreational center or are an athlete.

A bunch of socks (you’ll lose them)

You’ll probably lose a lot of your socks, so bring a good amount.

Business/Formal Clothing:

1 blazer

You must have at least one blazer in your wardrobe. They come in handy for when you have to dress up a pair of jeans, too!

2 blouses

Maybe have 1 short sleeve and one long sleeve blouse for business casual events. I honestly stocked up on them once I had more classes with presentation days later on in college.

2 pairs of pants

I recommend having a pair of business casual pants and business formal slacks. It’ll give you some variety if you have an interview for an internship or job.

1 pencil skirt

A pencil skirt is always great to have for a class presentation day.

1 pair of flats

I think that having a pair of flats will come in handy for business casual days in class.

1 pair of heels (maybe 2)

Keep a pair of heels around for any formal event. I also recommend having one black pair and one tan/nude color pair. I wish I had another pair back in college because wearing the same black heels got boring and wasn’t the best match.

Loungewear:

Think about the weekends and chill days!

A Matching Sweatshirt & Sweatpants Set

You always need a nice pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

2 sets of pajamas (or use the free shirts you’re going to get)

You’ll need a few sets of pajamas. Even if you don’t have sets of pajamas, then you can use the t-shirts you’ll get for free on campus. (Trust me, you’ll have tons of free shirts after the first month.)

Other:

Bathing Suit

Having one bathing suit is a nice thing to bring to college. It’s kind of optional, but I know that most colleges have recreational centers where you can swim at, or someone will eventually invite you to a pool or summer party.

Bathrobe

If you live in a dorm that has a communal bathroom, then it’s best that you have a bathrobe. Even if you don’t have a communal bathroom, it’s nice to have a robe for when you want to feel cozy on a self care day.

Final FAQ:

Q: How many clothes should I pack for college?

A: Not your whole entire wardrobe. Bring about 2 (maybe 3 weeks) of clothing and pajamas. Again, depending on your lifestyle, you may want to bring more or less. You also will be able to wash clothes on campus or in your college apartment, so 2 weeks should be sufficient.

Q: What clothes to not bring to college?

A: Honestly, it really depends on what you usually wear and don’t wear. Don’t bring anything you don’t wear usually. Don’t bring every single thing in your closet from home. You will not have room for it. (Trust me, I showed up on Move-In Day with most of my bins filled with clothes that I never wore.)

Q: What are some places you can buy clothes as a college student?

A: Most stores have student discounts when you buy online. Some stores I recommend for cute clothes for college girls:

Asos

Aerie/American Eagle

Amazon

Lulus

Madewell

Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack

Old Navy

Urban Outfitters

VICI Collection

That’s a wrap on this blog post all about college clothes packing list and what clothes to bring to college.

Before you go, make sure to read more college content on the blog:

The Best Realistic Printable Dorm Room Checklist For 2022 | (Free PDF)
15 Tips On How To Successfully Do Dorm Shopping on a Budget
The ONLY College School Supply List You Need For Spring 2023

Posted In: College

Get on the List

You’ll Also Love

The Best Realistic Printable Dorm Room Checklist For 2022 | (Free PDF)50 Christmas Gifts For College Girls That She’ll Adore31 Useful Birthday Gifts for College Girls She’ll Love