The Student Room Group

Going out uni clothes - Help!

I'm starting uni in September which obviously means socialising and going out. Thing is, I haven't gone out to pubs/clubs before as my mates aren't that 'type'. Soooo I'm clueless as to what people wear. I'd like advice on what to wear to these places:

-Pub
-Club
-Student Union bar
-Random party
-First day of uni/Fresher's week when everyone goes out and socialises.

Yes I'm socially unaware :rolleyes: lol.

It'd be even better if people posted pics of types o clothes instead of just saying 'dress' 'cause there's loads of types!!

[I'll be needing to go shopping to get all this stuff]

Thankieesssss!! :smile:

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depends what uni your going to
Reply 2
In pubs you can wear whatever you like - most people turn up in casual outfits like jeans and a top.
I'd probably dress up a bit more in a club - I prefer to wear skirts because it gets really hot on the dancefloor.
In a student union bar it's usually casual again.
I think I'd make more of an effort for a party - maybe even a dress - not the type I'd wear to a prom though.



On the first day I wore something that reflected my personality - sounds vague but give it a go - you'll know what your personal style is.
Reply 3
mudblood - thanks. So basically you dress jeans up for going to the pub..okay got it. Ummm...how about shoes? Can you wear flat pumps with a dress? I'm not a fan of heels as I'd be towering at about 6 ft!

max_e_muscle - does it really? Well it's in a vair vair big city.
You sound like me dottysunflower - I don't have a clue what I would wear to what either!
Reply 5
It doesn't particularly matter; one thing I noticed throughout Fresher's Week was the amount of people that got dressed up to the nines just to go the student union, it's a tad pointless.

Wear what you're comfortable with and what suits you.
Reply 6
mudblood



We have a winner! :eek: :redface: :p: :smile:
You could just wear something like this for the Union bar or a random party. Then just dress them up with heels and jewellery, if you need to. http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=74416&parent_category_rn=42325&productId=416914&langId=-1
http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=20555&storeId=12***&categoryId=63905&parent_category_rn=63752&productId=361402&langId=-1

This kind of thing for clubbing: http://www.asos.com/Coleen-McLoughlin/Blue-Nile/Coleen-Jewelled-Bustier/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=174925&cid=2633
Oh, and it usually get's very hot and sweaty, so don't wear anything long sleeved, and try and wear a skirt or shorts.

Then for pubs or bars probably something like this:
http://www.asos.com/Chilli-Pepper/Chilli-Pepper-Silk-Print-Embellished-Halter-Top/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=146134&cid=2835

Just ask other people what they are wearing and dress similar. I always ask my friends what they are wearing to parties etc just out of curiosity, so people won't think you're wierd!

In a nutshell. Union, some pubs and random parties: Casual. Some pubs and bars: Jeans, nice top and accessories to dress it up a bit. Clubs: Dressed up and cool.
DottySunflower
mudblood - thanks. So basically you dress jeans up for going to the pub..okay got it. Ummm...how about shoes? Can you wear flat pumps with a dress? I'm not a fan of heels as I'd be towering at about 6 ft!

max_e_muscle - does it really? Well it's in a vair vair big city.

Doesn't matter how big the city is...Oxford, cambridge, durham, exeter, bristol, bath, newcastle and just slightly less nottingham are all very public school dominated and seen as very "rah", so expect a lot of ralph lauren, jack wills, chinos, boat shoes etc (as you can tell I'm a guy, but its very similar to girls). but if you wouldn't describe yourself as preppy, god help you
Reply 9
Crystaltears
You could just wear something like this for the Union bar or a random party. Then just dress them up with heels and jewellery, if you need to. http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=74416&parent_category_rn=42325&productId=416914&langId=-1
http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=20555&storeId=12***&categoryId=63905&parent_category_rn=63752&productId=361402&langId=-1

This kind of thing for clubbing: http://www.asos.com/Coleen-McLoughlin/Blue-Nile/Coleen-Jewelled-Bustier/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=174925&cid=2633
Oh, and it usually get's very hot and sweaty, so don't wear anything long sleeved, and try and wear a skirt or shorts.

Then for pubs or bars probably something like this:
http://www.asos.com/Chilli-Pepper/Chilli-Pepper-Silk-Print-Embellished-Halter-Top/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=146134&cid=2835

Just ask other people what they are wearing and dress similar. I always ask my friends what they are wearing to parties etc just out of curiosity, so people won't think you're wierd!

In a nutshell. Union, some pubs and random parties: Casual. Some pubs and bars: Jeans, nice top and accessories to dress it up a bit. Clubs: Dressed up and cool.


:dito: i'd say that was pretty sound advice. :biggrin: theres no need to dress up loads to go to a pub or the Student Union, so what Crystaltears suggested is fine.

And in response to the comment about being tall, flat shoes are absolutely fine, most people wear them, and they are suitable for all occasions, and you wont end up with sore feet after dancing all night, which has to be a bonus :biggrin: x
Reply 10
i think as long as you buy a few pairs of nice jeans and maybe a skirt and a few dresses you'll be fine! just get lotsa diff tshirts and jewerraly so u can dress them up and dress them dwon!

:smile:

xxx
For the student union you can be as casual as you like, as long as it's not a theme night or a ball. In my student union the 'uniform' if you will, was scruffy jeans, flip flops and a uni t-shirt :p:

Jeans, flat shoes and a nice top with accessories are good for the pub, and dressing up a little bit more works for a club.

My first day at uni was spent dressed up as a school girl...so, just work with the occasion lol
Reply 12
max_e_muscle
Doesn't matter how big the city is...Oxford, cambridge, durham, exeter, bristol, bath, newcastle and just slightly less nottingham are all very public school dominated and seen as very "rah", so expect a lot of ralph lauren, jack wills, chinos, boat shoes etc (as you can tell I'm a guy, but its very similar to girls). but if you wouldn't describe yourself as preppy, god help you


Oh come off it, I go to Bath and it's hardly "public school dominated". I can't speak for the other universities on your little list but as far as my university is concerned, you're talking crap. I can think of maybe 1 person I know at uni that dresses the way you described, everyone else just dresses like every other student: a general uniform of hoodies, jeans etc.
Reply 13
Why don't you just wear what you like rather than trying to fit into some kind of socially ordered outfit grouping for different events/places? Obviously if you're going somewhere classy or important like a ball or graduation then the sophistication and quality of your appearance should suit this occasion. But even if you're not going to a ball or graduation for example, but just around University, the area where the Uni is and in your accommodation, why would you want to dress like a slob/really casual/like a stereotypical student? Do the majority of students not make an effort to look presentable and good for themselves, as in if you dress in what you like then you'll feel good? Can I ask another question? I'm not meaning to come across as mean here, rather I am curious:there are lots of/some other ppl too at Uni that don't dress like a stereotypical studenty clothes: hoodies, T-shirts and jeans, loungewear and trackies/sport shoes or like fashion sheeps, right? If you don't dress like the aforementioned, are ppl mean and treat you like an outsider or what not or look at you odd like you are a sore thumb sticking out, just because you look different and pick your own styles and looks? Because I really hope not, as that's so shallow.:frown:
Reply 14
I think you've completely missed the point of the jeans/t-shirt/hoody combo.

I've found that at uni, no-one gives two ****s what you wear. So if you want to wear something pretty/unique then no-one will judge you, and lots of people (myself included) do sometimes. But for lectures, frankly my main priority isn't tarting myself and making myself look presentable - it's getting to uni on time to sit and learn from the lecture. It's quicker and easier to grab a hoody and a pair of jeans for a lot of people, especially if you've got a 7.15 bus to catch.

It's not borne out of wanting to look like a student or fit in with everyone else, it's just an easy way to get dressed in the morning.

When I was in sixth form I used to spend ages finding unique clothes to wear to school but now my priorities have changed. I like to think I've grown up a bit.

Night time is completely different - that's when most people put in the most effort. OP, I'd really recommend getting a few dresses. They can be really cheap if you're lucky, in fact I just bought a brown jersey dress from Monsoon for £15 and my all time favourite was £25 from freespirit! They can be dressed up or down so if you fancied wearing it down the pub, you could with some flip-flops or flats and a cardi, or for a club you could wear them with heels and chunky jewellery :smile:

Edit: maybe something like this? http://www.****buymail.com/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=41X5X&CategoryID=w_dresses (replace the stars with f c u k)
Reply 15
It depends really what you're best feature is?

I love clothes so won't really have this problem but for example if your legs are your best feature you could maybe buy some heels (say in a tan colour, or even red which would go with most things), then maybe some short shorts , or a skirt (for clubbing).

A couple of nice tops, some casual dresses, ermmm and some nice fitting jeans, and the main thing is accessories! Get some nice beads/bracelets and earrings that way if you just want to wear jeans and a top it'll look more dressy.

If you're not a girly girl though don't force yourself to be one, students dress down a lot, unless you're going to a really posy club with a 'smart' dress code.

Probably didn't make much sense there!
From what i know/seen/gone through/heard about London clubs, some clubs-no doubt the more expensive ones don't allow people to wear jeans.....knee length shorts/city shorts are thus a gd compromise if you don't like your thighs....
Reply 17
I'm liking some of the ideas here, especially the asos top posted by crystaltears - I think it's really nice. So generally for SU and pubs it's jeans dressed up with a nice top, shoes and accessories - hehe I'm getting the hang of this!

To the posters who said something like 'wear what you want - don't conform' well the point is I don't know WHAT to wear that's why I'm posting. It's not about fitting in with other people and being a clone (yes I like to choose things I like) but obviously there's a general type of clothing which is suited to social events - which I needed advice on. I mean, you can't truly wear anything, e.g. a ball gown to the student union 'cause you'd look out of place.

Thanks for your responses :smile:
Reply 18
it kind of pisses me off that everyone thinks students have to dress like hobos, otherwise they're 'immature' or 'shallow' or whatever.

it really takes no more effort to bung on a cute dress, some comfy boots and some beads than it does to put grungey jeans, baggy hoodies and ratty trainers on, now does it?!

sorry, that's just a pet peeve of mine - when people think 'stchooodents' automatically have to adopt some kind of sheep-like uniform. you can dress nicely and still care about your studies - you just put more effort into waking up more than 5 mins before your bus arrives!

Reply 19
I kind of think the same as you grace, I probably won't dress like the typical student, but then I never really see many of these "stereotypical" student dressers around. The girl students I see always dress quite nicely (except the ones who wear horrible grey tracksuit bottoms with those stupid university hoodies.)

OP- why don't you save www.topshop.com www.missselfridge.co.uk www.asos.co.uk and maybe warehouse and riverisland or something to your favourites and have a look through and see if there's anything that you like/think would look nice on you?

A good place to start would be to get some really nice fitting indigo jeans, which can be dressed up with heels.