This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Clothes at Cambridge

7

I was wondering what sort of clothes (male) will be needed for the more formal aspects of Cambridge life, and how much it differs between colleges.

I suppose we shall need (rented or bought) at least a gown, dinner jacket, and some sort of suit possibly. Is this correct, and would anyone care to add anything? What about special clothes for rowing etc?

Reply 1

Saintsin

oldthrashbarg

I was wondering what sort of clothes (male) will be needed for the more formal aspects of Cambridge life, and how much it differs between colleges.

I suppose we shall need (rented or bought) at least a gown, dinner jacket, and some sort of suit possibly. Is this correct, and would anyone care to add anything? What about special clothes for rowing etc?

For all your Cambridge clothing needs, here are 2 shops that specializes on it:
http://www.ryderamies.co.uk
http://www.gownhire.co.uk/

Reply 2

Alex_R

oldthrashbarg

I was wondering what sort of clothes (male) will be needed for the more formal aspects of Cambridge life, and how much it differs between colleges.

I suppose we shall need (rented or bought) at least a gown, dinner jacket, and some sort of suit possibly. Is this correct, and would anyone care to add anything? What about special clothes for rowing etc?

At most if not all colleges you will need to buy a gown £30-40 for matriculation and foirmal halls. You can buy these in Cambridge.

A suit is needed for photographs and formal hall again.

Dinner jacket you may prefer to rent. It depends how much you use it. I use mine 2-3 times a term for balls, medsoc dinners and boat club dinners so was more economical for me to buy one.

Rowing gear - Any sort of sports clothing is fine in the first term but you'll probably buy for about £25 a novice top for your races at the end of term. After the first term most people start to accumulate stuff. For example I bought a sexy all in one lycra racing suit this term :smile:

on't worry too much about this now.

Reply 3

Helenia

20

Alex_R

Rowing gear - Any sort of sports clothing is fine in the first term but you'll probably buy for about £25 a novice top for your races at the end of term. After the first term most people start to accumulate stuff. For example I bought a sexy all in one lycra racing suit this term :smile:

on't worry too much about this now.

Nice suits, shame about the boat :tongue:

Helenia hits herself for being a bitch!

We were out at the Plough on Saturday, saw you guys (and everyone else) both on the way down and in the race.

Oldthrashbarg - I can't think of anything else you'd need, except a v warm coat, and gloves! Cambridge can be icy.

Only get sports stuff once you're here and if you know you want to do it.

Reply 4

DanMushMan

7

def worth buying black tie, they're not overly expensive off the rack and should last you your whole time here.

Reply 5

Katie J

10

& for girls?

Are dresses compulsory? :frown:

Reply 6

DonnaB041986

Katie J

& for girls?

Are dresses compulsory? :frown:

my thoughts exactly! still trying to find a way to get out of wearing a dress for my 6th form ball in july :eek:

Donna
-x-

Reply 7

oldthrashbarg

OP

7

DonnaB041986

my thoughts exactly! still trying to find a way to get out of wearing a dress for my 6th form ball in july :eek:

Donna
-x-

Yeah, difficult isn't it? :smile:

Reply 8

summerroks

No, dresses for girls are not compulsory!! For my matriculation photo we had to wear a white shirt and black skirt, for formal we just have to dress smartly (nice top and skirt/smart trousers) and even for black tie dinners (the only time you wouldn't look ridic wearing a dress) some girls just wear skirts and tops. I'm guessing for may balls you have to wear a dress, but if you really hate them that much then don't go to them! So yeah, we get it a load easier than the guys :smile:

Have to wear huge bloke gowns though!

Reply 9

Katie J

10

oldthrashbarg

Yeah, difficult isn't it? :smile:

I solved that one! I managed to find the date of the ball months before everyone else (tactics!) then carefully provisionally booked myself on a dig for that particular week! This is much to my friends disgust and horror that I choose archaeology over the ball, but they're slowling coming to terms with the fact they won't see me in a dress come July! :tongue:

To solve dress crisis, always look for somewhere to dig! LOL

Does anyone have any info on dresses at Cambridge? I'm already receiving threats of a mass stampede upon the city if I have to wear one! :eek:

Reply 10

Helenia

20

Katie J

& for girls?

Are dresses compulsory? :frown:

No - not for matric or anything. But for May Balls and for some societies' Annual Dinners, you will need a dress, or at the very least, a dressy skirt and top (though I would always go for the dress.) You don't have to go to these though.

Reply 11

Joey_Johns

10

Tweed jacket, a checked country shirt and some moleskin pants would go down a treat :smile:

Reply 12

RetiredAccount89

18

Saintsin

For all your Cambridge clothing needs, here are 2 shops that specializes on it:
http://www.ryderamies.co.uk
http://www.gownhire.co.uk/

Or you could just wipe your arse with a 20 pound note and flush it down the toilet!!!
You should get
1) A nice suit - aim for spending about 100 quid. Remember this suit will be worn alot over your time at cambridge, and possibly for a while in your future job.
2) Get a cheap dinner suit (black tie suit). You can pick one of these up for about 100-150 quid (or any price above!). You'll end up wearing it 2 maybe 3 times a year so it'll save lots of money in the long run rather than hiring. And try to buy it before you arrive - it tends to be pricey to buy here
3) Get a gown - must have

That's it!!!

Reply 13

Hatster

foolfarian

Or you could just wipe your arse with a 20 pound note and flush it down the toilet!!!
You should get
1) A nice suit - aim for spending about 100 quid. Remember this suit will be worn alot over your time at cambridge, and possibly for a while in your future job.
2) Get a cheap dinner suit (black tie suit). You can pick one of these up for about 100-150 quid (or any price above!). You'll end up wearing it 2 maybe 3 times a year so it'll save lots of money in the long run rather than hiring. And try to buy it before you arrive - it tends to be pricey to buy here
3) Get a gown - must have

That's it!!!

No need to wear a dress for anything at Cambridge - just wear trousers and a nice top. A (female) friend of mine went to all the balls in black tie and a dinner jacket and looked great. Just buy a cheap second hand gown for about £30 quid when you get here. (make sure it's washable). I never wore a suit except for job interviews (why would you wear a suit at University? really baffled by this one)

Reply 14

Mentally Ill

Joey_Johns

Tweed jacket, a checked country shirt and some moleskin pants would go down a treat :smile:

Not forgetting your briar pipe, a pair of Gentlemen's gloves and a dry Martini.

Reply 15

Joey_Johns

10

Mentally Ill

Not forgetting your briar pipe, a pair of Gentlemen's gloves and a dry Martini.

Gah, martini is vile. Whisky is the choosen drink.

Reply 16

amexblack

Joey_Johns

Gah, martini is vile. Whisky is the choosen drink.

I prefer Whiskey myself :biggrin:

Reply 17

Joey_Johns

10

amexblack

I prefer Whiskey myself :biggrin:

You are a wise person :smile:

Reply 18

RetiredAccount89

18

Hatster

No need to wear a dress for anything at Cambridge - just wear trousers and a nice top. A (female) friend of mine went to all the balls in black tie and a dinner jacket and looked great. Just buy a cheap second hand gown for about £30 quid when you get here. (make sure it's washable). I never wore a suit except for job interviews (why would you wear a suit at University? really baffled by this one)

friend a goth or lesbian or something? girls in dinner suits are usually trying to make some point or another
J

Reply 19

Joey_Johns

10

foolfarian

friend a goth or lesbian or something? girls in dinner suits are usually trying to make some point or another
J

Very true. I have always found that the 'goth' variety of girls are never attractive at all. They have to 'make a point' in attempt for males to find them attractive. Of course there are some freaks out there who find pale skinned, black clothed people attractive.

Clothes at Cambridge

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated