What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas (2024)

Not sure what to wear to your college classes? Here are the cutest ideas for what to wear to a college class.

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What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas (1)

College can be a huge adjustment for most freshmen.

At the beginning of the school year, you’re still figuring out how to get around, what all of the buildings are, and how to spend your time.

With all of that going on, it can be difficult to plan your outfits and figure out what you’re supposed to wear to college classes.

Today I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on dressing for college classes.

Tips For What to Wear to College Classes

Keep it Comfy

Most students dress in super casual and comfy clothes for college classes.

Being comfortable in class is so important because it allows you to focus on what’s going on in class – not on the fact that your jeans are digging into your stomach.

Make sure that your clothes are not too tight fitting or too loose for maximum comfort.

Just make sure that you don’t confuse comfy with sloppy. Dressing up in cute (but comfortable) outfits can help you feel like you’re more productive and professional.

This doesn’t mean that you have to wear a full pantsuit to class every morning. An outfit like leggings and a denim jacket is the perfect example of cute but comfy clothes to wear to class.

If it’s the first day of class, you may want to dress up a little bit so that you can make good first impressions on your professor and classmates.

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Don’t Forget About Shoes

When you’re getting dressed in the morning, make sure you consider what shoes you’re going to wear to class. Wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to put on and take off.

My favorite shoes for college are white sneakers. They go with pretty much any outfit and they’re super comfy for walking around campus all day.

If there’s any rain in the forecast, it’s a good idea to wear waterproof shoes like rain boots. I love these rain boots from Hunter because they’re cute and amazing quality.

Wear Neutral Colors

If you want to look classy and put together, I would stick with neutral colors that go well with your skin tone.

It’s really easy to put together a cute outfit if you have a lot of neutral colored clothes in your dorm closet.

I try to buy most of my clothing in a few different colors and build my wardrobe around them. It’s so much easier to pair together clothing items when you don’t have a million different clashing colors.

This concept is called a capsule wardrobe and it’s super popular with the minimalist community!

Check The Weather

College students do a lot of walking outside. Make sure you’re always wearing clothing that is appropriate for the weather.

In cold weather, layering is so important. You don’t want to wear heavy clothing because your lecture halls might be hot.

The best thing to do is layer with lightweight clothing items like long sleeve tshirts and cardigans. That way you can take them off if it warms up outside or if your professor is blasting the heat in class.

A great rainy day outfit for female students is a rain jacket, rain boots, and leggings.

Accessorize Your Outfits

Accessories can turn a plain outfit into something that fits your personal sense of style. I like pairing a basic outfit with some cute gold jewelry to elevate the look a bit.

Some accessories that are really on-trend right now are gold hoops, claw clips, and layered necklaces.

The most important accessory that you’ll need for class is a bag or backpack. Make sure that the bag you bring is big enough to fit everything you’ll need for the day.

You don’t want to have to run back to your dorm room because you didn’t have room for all of your textbooks.

[RELATED: 23 College Backpack Essentials: Must-Have Items For Students]

Outfit Ideas for College Girls: What to Wear to Class

Outfit #1: Dressed Up Sweatpants

This outfit is perfect for anyone who is tempted to wear pajamas to class.

It’s still insanely comfy but it looks like you actually put a little bit of effort into it.

Sweatpants have been totally on-trend over the past few years, and hopefully that trend sticks around for awhile longer!

Outfit #2: Cozy Rainy Day

What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas (26)

If you have to walk to class on a rainy day, this outfit is a great way to look cute while also staying warm and dry.

If you don’t want to lug around an umbrella all day, you could replace with the leather jacket with a raincoat for walking between classes.

Outfit #3: First Day of Class

What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas (33)

On the first day of class, you’ll want to put your best foot forward when it comes to fashion.

If you look nice, you’ll make a good first impression on your professor and your classmates. This neutral-chic look is a perfect outfit for college girls to wear to class.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Outfits:

Do Colleges Have a Dress Code?

Most colleges in the US don’t have a formal dress code. However, it is definitely still expected that students dress appropriately.

You can’t show up to class in your underwear and your teacher may ask you to leave if you show up with an extremely graphic or violent T-shirt.

In other countries, colleges have much stricter dress codes. Some schools require formalwear like button up shirts, blazers, and dress pants.

Check your student handbook before your first day of class to be sure.

Do You Need to Dress Up For College Classes?

Because there are no formal dress codes in university, you don’t need to dress up for college classes.

However, I highly recommend at least looking presentable for your college classes.

Dressing up a little bit helps you feel productive, make a good impression on your professors, and will get you up and moving in the morning.

If you stay in your pajamas all day, it can be really hard to motivate yourself to get up and get to class. Having a routine of waking up, washing your face, brushing your teeth, and getting ready will help you feel like you’re all set to tackle the day.

What to Wear to a College Interview?

Typical outfits for a job interview or internship in college include a button up shirt, dress pants, and a tie for college guys. You may even want to wear full suits if the setting is extremely formal.

Female students should wear a pantsuit or skirt suit with a blouse. For girls, it’s typically considered inappropriate to wear clothing like short skirts or crop tops in professional settings. Make sure that your skirt hits below the knee.

What to Wear on Game Days in College?

College game days don’t have a strict dress code. A lot of students will dress up in school colors to support their team on game day.

A great outfit for college girls on game day is a tennis skirt, cute top, and a comfortable pair of shoes like white sneakers.

Guys usually wear a sweatshirt in their college colors, a pair of pants, and sneakers.

This post was all about what to wear to college class.

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What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What to Wear to a College Class: Tips & Outfit Ideas? ›

Comfortable clothing like jeans, leggings, cozy sweaters, and t-shirts will serve you well. 2. Layer up: Campus buildings can have varying temperatures, so wearing layers is a smart move. A light jacket, cardigan, or flannel shirt can help you create a flexible outfit that is easily adaptable to different environments.

How should you dress for college classes? ›

Typical outfits include either a pantsuit or skirt suit with a button-down shirt or blouse for women and a suit, dress shirt, and tie for men. Skirts and dresses should hit below the knee for women, even though you may see shorter styles in the classroom.

What clothes are appropriate for college? ›

This could be as simple as a few pairs of jeans, a couple of t-shirts and a sweater or hoodie. These items are versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. If you prefer a more formal look, consider adding a jacket and a pair of smart trousers or skirt to your wardrobe.

What is college attire? ›

Casual clothing: Most students prefer comfortable, casual clothing for everyday classes and activities. Think jeans, T-shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, and sneakers. Casual, layered attire is both practical and versatile.

How many outfits do I need for college? ›

We recommend bringing about 2-3 weeks' worth of clothes to wear while at college. The versatility of your outfits will determine if you have more or fewer clothes.

Can I wear jeans to college? ›

There really is no dress code for universities, so students can technically wear jeans shorts and T-shirts. However, I would recommend dressing a bit nicer than that for class. I think students should feel comfortable but also look presentable for their professors.

Can you wear leggings at college? ›

If a woman feels confident and comfortable in leggings, then there is no reason why she should stop wearing them on campus. However, if a woman does not feel comfortable in leggings or feels self-conscious about her body, then she may want to consider wearing something else on campus.

Do colleges usually have dress codes? ›

Most colleges will technically have a dress code if you look carefully in the student handbook, but it's so loose that in almost never becomes a practical issue. If you show up to class naked someone would definitely have a word with you.

Do I need dress clothes for college? ›

You should dress in any way you like. It is not your job to dress according to what other people like. Just be yourself and stop worrying about whether there are any rules or social conventions you might be breaking that you don't know about.

Can I wear shorts to college? ›

Most colleges don't require students to dress up, just as long as the clothes are not offensive. Most of the guys at college wore casual shirts and shorts, even in winter.

What do you wear to a lecture? ›

Students should dress in a professional yet comfortable manner for university lectures. This typically means wearing slacks or dress pants, a collared shirt or blouse, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid wearing jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and sandals.

How many bras do I bring to college? ›

1 strapless bra - Good for under tank tops, dresses and costumes with thin straps. 5 t-shirt bras - This is your everyday, go-to bra. 5 wireless bralettes - Good for a little extra support / coverage while at the dorm. 14 panties - Bring at least two weeks worth.

How many shoes should I bring to college? ›

At least one pair you'll wear for everyday activities, at least one pair for exercising and athletics, and at least one pair of dress shoes for formal situations. If your dorm is typical, you'll also want a pair shower shoes, I hear, and maybe some sandals or slippers for the dorm as well.

Can you wear shorts to college classes? ›

Dress codes for college students can vary, but generally, shorts are fine as long as they're not too casual or revealing. Opt for chino or Bermuda shorts rather than athletic ones, and you should be good to go.

Do you have to dress up in college? ›

You don't have to dress fancy, but do put in a little bit of effort. Present your best self—the self you'd want people to see as you venture off to college. If you'll be meeting with a professor, feel free to dress your outfit up a bit.

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