The Student Room Group

Clothes for uni?

Hi, I still wear school uni at 6th form, so frankly I have no idea what to wear come October. I know that I'll need to buy quite a few bits and pieces over summer, but I grew up wearing clothes from Primark and Poundland bc my parents weren't ready to spend money for clothes that soon wouldn't fit me. Now that I've stopped growing (😔), I'd like to finally invest in some better brands, but everytime I find a store that I like there's someone on Reddit who complains that their quality is "the worst". Where is the optimum place to buy clothes that are good enough quality, yet aren't going to cost me a fortune.

Also, I tend now to buy more statement pieces second hand(I volunteer a charity shop), but their quality is hit-or-miss. I don't mind leaving a charity shop empty-handed, but recently I've become more inclined to look on Vinted. I am wary, however, that I can't try t
it on/physically feel it. Should I trust Vinted sellers more, or should I just buy from the actual brand?

Reply 1

Hey, I'm actually the same as you 😅 I've always bought cheap clothes from Primark, Shein, bohoo etc. cuz I'm too poor for anything else. The only branded stuff I have are shoes :frown: .So far, I've found ASOS to be quite good and reasonably priced. I recently bought a few of tops and jeans from there and they've all been good quality so far. sometimes. I've never bought from Vinted for the same reason as you, I'm worried I'll get scammed haha. Sorry I can't be of more help but hopefully someone else knows.

Reply 2

Original post
by Rageshhhh
Hi, I still wear school uni at 6th form, so frankly I have no idea what to wear come October. I know that I'll need to buy quite a few bits and pieces over summer, but I grew up wearing clothes from Primark and Poundland bc my parents weren't ready to spend money for clothes that soon wouldn't fit me. Now that I've stopped growing (😔), I'd like to finally invest in some better brands, but everytime I find a store that I like there's someone on Reddit who complains that their quality is "the worst". Where is the optimum place to buy clothes that are good enough quality, yet aren't going to cost me a fortune.
Also, I tend now to buy more statement pieces second hand(I volunteer a charity shop), but their quality is hit-or-miss. I don't mind leaving a charity shop empty-handed, but recently I've become more inclined to look on Vinted. I am wary, however, that I can't try t
it on/physically feel it. Should I trust Vinted sellers more, or should I just buy from the actual brand?

Hey! 👋 First off, congrats on reaching a point where you can invest in your wardrobe, 🛍️ Think of building your wardrobe like building a skincare routine: start with the basics (think good-quality staples like jeans, tees, and a solid jacket) and then layer in statement pieces (like your second-hand finds or bold items). For affordable yet durable brands, I’d recommend checking out Uniqlo, Mango, or even COS for timeless pieces that won’t break the bank but still feel elevated. As for Vinted, it’s a great option for unique finds, but treat it like skincare shopping online, always check reviews, ask sellers for measurements, and stick to brands you already know fit you well. If you’re unsure, buying directly from the brand (especially during sales) can save you the hassle of returns. And hey, charity shops are still goldmines, just keep being patient! 💎✨ What About Amazon?

Reply 3

Original post
by Rageshhhh
Hi, I still wear school uni at 6th form, so frankly I have no idea what to wear come October. I know that I'll need to buy quite a few bits and pieces over summer, but I grew up wearing clothes from Primark and Poundland bc my parents weren't ready to spend money for clothes that soon wouldn't fit me. Now that I've stopped growing (😔), I'd like to finally invest in some better brands, but everytime I find a store that I like there's someone on Reddit who complains that their quality is "the worst". Where is the optimum place to buy clothes that are good enough quality, yet aren't going to cost me a fortune.
Also, I tend now to buy more statement pieces second hand(I volunteer a charity shop), but their quality is hit-or-miss. I don't mind leaving a charity shop empty-handed, but recently I've become more inclined to look on Vinted. I am wary, however, that I can't try t
it on/physically feel it. Should I trust Vinted sellers more, or should I just buy from the actual brand?

I nearly always buy clothes in the sale. I'll get a dress from a mid-range/ or more expensive shop for a "Primark Price" in the sale, and it is of a much better quality. Might not work if you want to get a completely new wardrobe though it's a good way to build up pieces.
I tend to just buy stuff off ASOS. If something arrives and it feels low quality you can just return it that way.

Primark stuff is fine for uni if you like their designs and find the items comfortable already though. There are some items of clothing it's worth spending a bit more on so you can use for a long time (quality shoes, coats/jackets, and jeans in my opinion for example - these could last you quite a few years if you buy good quality at the outset, although that doesn't necessarily mean designer) but for like t shirts and more casual trousers/bottoms cheap and cheerful is perfectly fine.

I'm aware a lot of students buy stuff off vinted but you need to be comfortable accepting a certain level of risk doing that. Whether you are comfortable with that level of risk is an individual choice. You could mitigate that somewhat by instead looking at stuff in e.g. charity shops or "vintage" resellers, or at clothing sales/swaps organised by your SU when you're at uni.

You don't really need a massive wardrobe at uni and having fewer items helps streamline choices and will make moving easier too.
Original post
by Rageshhhh
Hi, I still wear school uni at 6th form, so frankly I have no idea what to wear come October. I know that I'll need to buy quite a few bits and pieces over summer, but I grew up wearing clothes from Primark and Poundland bc my parents weren't ready to spend money for clothes that soon wouldn't fit me. Now that I've stopped growing (😔), I'd like to finally invest in some better brands, but everytime I find a store that I like there's someone on Reddit who complains that their quality is "the worst". Where is the optimum place to buy clothes that are good enough quality, yet aren't going to cost me a fortune.
Also, I tend now to buy more statement pieces second hand(I volunteer a charity shop), but their quality is hit-or-miss. I don't mind leaving a charity shop empty-handed, but recently I've become more inclined to look on Vinted. I am wary, however, that I can't try t
it on/physically feel it. Should I trust Vinted sellers more, or should I just buy from the actual brand?

Hi @Rageshhhh

It sounds like you are off to study at university in September, if so Huge Congratulations!

As Wilamena says, that's great you can invest in your wardrobe. I grew up wearing similar types of clothing. Nowadays I tend to rather invest in something that is good quality, will last, and ideally is environmentally friendly, but this is easier said than done when you have a student budget. I tend to try to buy great quality basics, then make them look like a new outfit with accessories such as jewellery or make-up.

Do you know what kind of clothes you might need for your course? Or is it up to you what you wear?

This might help you decide where to shop. For example, I am studying for quite a physical degree, and as a result, I invested in some good quality gym wear and leggings. However, I know some of my friends studying Law need to wear more formal clothing sometimes, so invested in a few pieces of formal wear.

I use Vinted myself to buy and sell clothing and so far find it a good way to earn some money for preloved clothes and to get new clothes at a much cheaper price. My advice would be to use sites like this to look at users' ratings, as you rate one another as a buyer and a seller consequently it is in everyone's interests to be honest.

I hope that helps!

Best of luck with your studies.


Lucy 🙂
(Official Uni of Salford Student Rep)

Reply 6

Warmest congratulations on your place!

I am not a good man for advice as far as the actual clothes go, I’ll be wearing my grandfather’s tweed jacket, a wax coat and a ratty body warmer, hardly fashionable.

Bear in mind that uni may be the best possible place to try various fashions walking in the town where I’ll be going, I met a young lady in a three-piece suit, another head to toe in denim, lots of young men in normal modern casual/combat trousers, a young man in a purple velvet coat and waistcoat and a shirt printed with Paisley pattern and a man wearing a wizard’s hat (hopefully for a bet!) all mixing with no comment asked or given. Uni towns seem to err on the cosmopolitan and understanding.

I would have a look for established second hand shops, or perhaps for online versions what I do have is from the 50s-80s and is virtually indestructible.

When bought online, Victory Vintage, Etsy, Newfangled Natty all sell “old tweedy stuff”, but no good if that’s not your thing. Etsy is pretty decent looking for more than that.

If you haven’t the budget for good new stuff, and I certainly don’t it may be cheaper in the long run to buy good old stuff than fast fashion my sister bought a fast fashion dress for our 6th form ceilidh ten years ago and it fell apart as soon as look at. I doubt they’ve got better Fortunately my aunt could alter an old white satin dress and she looked very nice in it as I remember.

If you have a particular fashion sense goth, punk, preppy, whatever there must be online forums with targeted advice.

Reply 7

Just go to TK Maxx or any kind of outlet shopping centre if you want better brands for cheaper

Reply 8

Hi @Rageshhhh

Congratulations on getting your uni offer!

To add to the advice here, I've found that investing in a good pair of shoes is worth it in the long run. A decent pair of trainers has saved me more money than going through loads of cheaper ones from places like Primark. You'll probably be doing a lot of walking around campus and your uni city/town.

I’d recommend places like Schuh and TK Maxx for sales on branded footwear, and apps like UniDays and Student Beans for a small discount.

And for Autumn/Winter, get yourself a sturdy pair of boots/shoes. I've got a pair of black boots which also double up when I need something smart for job interviews.

Hope that helps 🙂

Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Student Rep)

Reply 9

Apologies everyone. I have been swamped with revision after realising how soon A-levels are. On the bright side, I now have firmed Imperial, so now I need to look as good as the Londoners.
@pagan-scimitar - so far I've avoided ASOS due to cost and also bc I try to avoid buying fast fashion, but I think I will end up succumbing to them soon.
@wilamena - I think you've summed it up nice well. I do have some stuff that I love and always wear, but if I'm going to be going out close to every day then I will need to find some more basic pieces. With regards to the unique pieces, I think I should just give it some time and they'll soon pop up. One thing that I will use Vinted for is when there's something on Pinterest that I really want.
@Orange Blossom - Which stores do you wait until they have a sale? And what % off do you tend to wait for?
@artful_lounger - that's a really good point. I think I'll look at ASOS and do some trial-and-error until I find basic pieces that I really like. At these SU clothes sales, are the clothes reasonably priced, and is there a wide variety of styles?
@University of Salford Student Rep - I hadn't really thought of that before. I'm studying medicine, so I presume I will need some more formal pieces. I think I can find these either at Primark or ASOS. Also, what rating does a Vinted seller need for you to buy something from them.
@username7368346 - I had a look at the websites you suggested but unfortunately they weren't my thing. Perhaps if I need something more formal they will come in handy. I will keep looking though. Thank you.
@Username123ab - I like browsing at TKmaxx, and they have good brands, but often I find that they put the stuff that is less nice, so it takes much more sleuthing to find something I like. Its also hard to find something cheap there yet still nice; the nice things are reduced from how much they'd be in-store, but still not sure I'd be able to afford it on a student budget.
@LJMUStudentReps - What a coincidence! I've been looking for new trainers. My old ones were from TKMaxx, so maybe I'll check there again before looking online. I did recently get Doc Martens as a gift so I'm at least set for winter.

Reply 10

Original post
by Rageshhhh
Apologies everyone. I have been swamped with revision after realising how soon A-levels are. On the bright side, I now have firmed Imperial, so now I need to look as good as the Londoners.
@pagan-scimitar - so far I've avoided ASOS due to cost and also bc I try to avoid buying fast fashion, but I think I will end up succumbing to them soon.
@wilamena - I think you've summed it up nice well. I do have some stuff that I love and always wear, but if I'm going to be going out close to every day then I will need to find some more basic pieces. With regards to the unique pieces, I think I should just give it some time and they'll soon pop up. One thing that I will use Vinted for is when there's something on Pinterest that I really want.
@Orange Blossom - Which stores do you wait until they have a sale? And what % off do you tend to wait for?
@artful_lounger - that's a really good point. I think I'll look at ASOS and do some trial-and-error until I find basic pieces that I really like. At these SU clothes sales, are the clothes reasonably priced, and is there a wide variety of styles?
@University of Salford Student Rep - I hadn't really thought of that before. I'm studying medicine, so I presume I will need some more formal pieces. I think I can find these either at Primark or ASOS. Also, what rating does a Vinted seller need for you to buy something from them.
@username7368346 - I had a look at the websites you suggested but unfortunately they weren't my thing. Perhaps if I need something more formal they will come in handy. I will keep looking though. Thank you.
@Username123ab - I like browsing at TKmaxx, and they have good brands, but often I find that they put the stuff that is less nice, so it takes much more sleuthing to find something I like. Its also hard to find something cheap there yet still nice; the nice things are reduced from how much they'd be in-store, but still not sure I'd be able to afford it on a student budget.
@LJMUStudentReps - What a coincidence! I've been looking for new trainers. My old ones were from TKMaxx, so maybe I'll check there again before looking online. I did recently get Doc Martens as a gift so I'm at least set for winter.
Hi!
I mostly tend to browse through clothes shops in my area whenever I'm out, and if you go at the end of a season before they bring in their new stuff you're likely to get some good deals. I mostly go for 50% off.

I don't really know what your thing is, so if these suggestions aren't for you maybe just link a few pictures from Pinterest and I'll try and find some examples :smile:

I used to buy from Seasalt/Fatface/The White Stuff/Monsoon when they had 50%, or even 75% off sales. I still have several clothes from these shops years 3/4 years later.

A lot of independent local clothes shops tend to have good sales.

I found some really nice shirts at TK Maxx last year that were about 80% off the original retail price, but this year I haven't really seen anything worth buying sadly.

If I see that a shop like H&M, New Look, or Hollister is having a sale I'll have a look online or in-store.

You could even try a department store like John Lewis or M&S.
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 11

Heyy. First off congratulations on getting to the point of being able to expand your wardrobe. When it came to my first year I wore jeans, blazers, vest tops etc. Then when the colder months came I often wore leggings, thick jumpers and boots. In my second year I often wore jeans, flares, jumper dresses, leather shorts, tights, grey jumper and boots but also often worn gym wear and air force 1s. I tried to be as casual and as comfy as possible for those long days at uni

Reply 12

definitely wearing something is a good start. otherwise youd get really cold. you could just wear ur school uniform, youd certainly be noticed if you did. seriously, just wear what you feel comfortable and good in. things you can mix and match because its cheaper and you need less so can spend less, or get better quality. you must have things you like that you wear already? i tend to wear tops and actually dresses a lot, leggings, tights, short boots, but thats just me. unless uve got a lot of cash, you end up trying not to spend to much on clothes anyway.

Reply 13

Depop and Vinted are a good idea, yes

Reply 14

Original post
by Orange Blossom
Hi!
I mostly tend to browse through clothes shops in my area whenever I'm out, and if you go at the end of a season before they bring in their new stuff you're likely to get some good deals. I mostly go for 50% off.
I don't really know what your thing is, so if these suggestions aren't for you maybe just link a few pictures from Pinterest and I'll try and find some examples :smile:
I used to buy from Seasalt/Fatface/The White Stuff/Monsoon when they had 50%, or even 75% off sales. I still have several clothes from these shops years 3/4 years later.
A lot of independent local clothes shops tend to have good sales.
I found some really nice shirts at TK Maxx last year that were about 80% off the original retail price, but this year I haven't really seen anything worth buying sadly.
If I see that a shop like H&M, New Look, or Hollister is having a sale I'll have a look online or in-store.
You could even try a department store like John Lewis or M&S.

I have been trying to be more present at charity shops recently, and I have only made one purchase but it was quite literally £1 for some parachute pants. I'm hoping that come summer more people will clear their wardrobes and donate more stuff.

Reply 15

Original post
by Rageshhhh
I have been trying to be more present at charity shops recently, and I have only made one purchase but it was quite literally £1 for some parachute pants. I'm hoping that come summer more people will clear their wardrobes and donate more stuff.

That's a good deal 😳
Yeah hopefully there's a lot of wardrobe spring cleaning haha

Reply 16

I’ve started mixing it up: charity shops, Vinted, and occasionally sales on FARFETCH when I want one or two nicer pieces that’ll actually last. Some of their stuff is obviously pricey, but if you check the sale section and filter by brand/size, you can find solid basics or one standout item that levels up your whole outfit. I’d rather have one great blazer or coat I wear for years than keep replacing cheaper ones every winter.

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