How Much Clothes Should I Bring To College?

By Amanda HoyleJanuary 7, 2022
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Amanda Hoyle
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Amanda is a proficient and widely published educational leader, with Master's degrees in both Education and Psychology.
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Going to college is an exciting time. Finally, you have an opportunity to spread your wings and do life on your own.

But, it can also be stressful. You wonder about everything you're going to need, including how much clothing you should bring with you. To help ease any anxiety you might have, we've put together some useful tips and information about everything that's got to do with packing.

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Factors To Consider About How Many Outfits You'll Need

1. Climate

The number of outfits you might need depends on where you are in the world. For example, if your college is the University of Florida, it is situated on one of the hottest college campuses so you'll probably need to change your outfits often. If you're at the University of London or Sweden, you probably won't need to change as often. So make sure you know what to expect before you head out to college.

2. Laundry Schedule

This factor depends on how often you plan on doing laundry. Every week or every 14 days? Obviously, the more clothes you bring, the more laundry you'll have. So, if you know this is an inconvenience to you, it's best you keep your clothes at a minimum. Also, you might not have a washing machine or dryer at your closest convenience, so consider that too. This can help save you money, time, and effort.

Consider packing enough clothes for two weeks at a time, including socks and underwear.

3. Personal Routine

This factor works around your hobbies, do you enjoy working out? Are you a homebody? Or do you work a part-time job? Your routines and activities definitely impact how much clothing you should bring to college. Especially if you participate in activities that require you to wear clothes outside of what you wear to college.

It's up to you what you choose to bring, but keep in mind that you need to do laundry, the climate, and your routine. Also, it's okay to repeat outfits and wash them.

4. Time Frame 

You might end up visiting home often, so avoid packing for the whole year. Bring enough clothes for two semesters or seasons. 

5. Occasion 

What will you be getting up to college? There are weekend events, parties among other things that you'll have to consider. 

Do's And Don'ts

Do's 

1. Make A List Of What To Bring 

If you plan on grabbing what you can see, you'll probably make a mistake. So do your research and pack essentials. 

2. Bring Formal Outfits 

Oftentimes you'll be required to meet professionals and interview for positions, so it's best to pack appropriate clothing. It will save you time and money because you won't have to go shopping. 

Don'ts

1. Overpack

It's tempting to bring your whole closet with you to college, but unfortunately, dorm closets are small. Even if you were to bring everything you have, you probably wouldn't have any place to keep them.

2. Avoid Bringing Outfits That You 'Might' Wear

You might have one or two items that you love but aren't sure about, rather not bring any of those. This is how you start packing unnecessary clothes. If you haven't worn an outfit in over a year, it's unlikely that you'll start wearing it in college.

3. Don't Bring Expensive Items

Try not to bring your designer clothes and accessories to college. Unless you're willing to take chances. You'll be exposed to new people that you may not be able to trust, so be cautious about your expensive items.

4. Don't Bring Out-Of-Season Clothes 

If you plan on going home before significant season changes, then you should leave some items at home for when you return. When the time is right, you can go home and swap your clothes. This way your dorm closet has enough space for each season of clothes. 

5. Don't Pack Prohibited Items 

Every housing complex has rules about what you can bring. Please check the list they give you to ensure that you're adhering to protocols. 

6. Don't Forget Shower Shoes 

Going to shower barefoot isn't the best idea, so bring flip-flops you can wear in the shower. 

7. Don't Skimp On Towels 

You probably won't have a lot of time to do laundry, so you should have enough bathroom towels to get you through the busy times. Three is a sufficient amount. 

8. Don't Pack A Large Suitcase 

Don't use a large suitcase to pack your clothes. It might offer you space to pack your belongings, but with a small dorm room, you won't have enough space to pack the suitcase. Rather take a few small suitcases instead. 

College Clothing Essentials:

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • T-shirts
  • Tank Tops
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Pajamas
  • Jeans
  • Sweaters/Hoodies/Cardigans/Jackets
  • Casual tops & Blouses
  • Leggings/Yoga pants
  • Formal Business clothing (For interviews or presentations)
  • Gym clothes
  • Swimwear

Clothing for Special Occasions:

  • Outfits for college parties
  • Halloween costumes
  • Sundresses or formal dresses
  • Pencil skirt/blazer/formal pants for interviews or presentations

Clothes To Pack Based On US Regions 

Northeast Region

If you come from somewhere warm, packing for the Northeast region is a challenge. The seasons change quite drastically and daily so you have to come prepared. Take a look at the average temperatures and work around that. 

Must Haves: 

  • Boots 
  • Raincoat 
  • Layered coat
  • Gloves 
  • Hat
  • Scarves 
  • Warm socks 

The Mid-Atlantic Region 

This area has beautiful falls and cold winters. It's more mild and humid than the Northeast, but you can expect a lot of changes. It's possible to have all four seasons in one week. 

Must Haves: 

  • Snow boots 
  • Scarf 
  • Gloves 
  • Sturdy jeans 
  • 3-in-1 or interchangeable coat 
  • Summer clothes 
  • Sweaters 
  • Tank tops 

The Southeast Region 

Winters are usually warmer around this part and rain is more common than snow. Summers are hot, the highs go up to the 90s but with the rain, there may be thunderstorms. 

Must Haves:

  • Yoga pants 
  • T-shirts 
  • Winter coat 
  • Versatile sweaters 
  • Light jacket 
  • Day dresses 

The South Regions 

Mild winters but snowfalls do happen from time to time. Mississippi and Louisiana receive the most rainfall. Summers can get pretty hot, so you want to pack light clothes too. 

Must Haves: 

  • Umbrella 
  • Baseball hat
  • Light cardigan 

The Southwest Region 

You can expect desert regions to get extremely hot and dry. The mountains do get cold though. Winters are milder, with very little rain during the summer. But, when it rains, there are thunderstorms. 

Must Haves: 

  • Tank tops 
  • Jeans 
  • Light jacket 
  • Shorts
  • Sandals 
  • Dresses 

The Midwest Region

The Midwest is known for its blistering cold winters. Summers are warm but not as hot as other regions. Thunderstorms are common during summer, but fall and spring are mild and beautiful. 

Must Haves: 

  • Long and warm jacket 
  • Umbrella 
  • Parkas 
  • Hoodies 
  • Duck boots 

The High Plains Region 

You'll experience extremely cold temperatures here during winter. But summers are hot, so be sure to pack a range of clothing so that you're prepared for drastic changes in weather. 

The Northwest Region 

Students in this region will experience varying changes in weather. There are cool winters along the coast and dry winters inland. There's a lot of rain in this area, especially in the mountains. Although, summers are the sunniest! 

How Many Clothes Are Too Much?

Remember that you have a limited amount of space, so pack the bare minimum with the assumption that you'll do laundry at least once a week.

How Many Clothes Do College Guys Need?

  • 7-10 shirts
  • 3 pants
  • 7-10 underwear
  • 7-10 socks
  • a pair of house shoes
  • at least 2 outdoor shoes
  • 1 jacket

How Many Clothes Do College Girls Need?

  • 7-10 shirts
  • 4 pants and/or skirts
  • 10-14 underwear
  • 10-14 socks
  • a pair of house shoes
  • at least 2 outdoor shoes
  • 2 sweaters
  • 1 jacket

What About Shoes? 

  • Casual sneakers
  • Formal shoes
  • Heels
  • Rain boots
  • Flip flops
  • Shower shoes
  • Running shoes
  • Snow boots

Underwear 

If you plan on doing laundry every two weeks, pack over 14 pairs. You can repeat some clothing items over time, but you can't do that with underwear for hygiene purposes. 

What Are The Things You Shouldn't Bring To College? 

  • Huge numbers of cloths
  • Precious objects
  • Kitchen accessories
  • Pans and pots
  • Candles
  • Printer for printing
  • High-school bags
  • High-school outfit
  • Knife
  • Pistol/Gun
  • Additional beds
  • Animals
  • Alcohol
  • School supplies
  • 18+ books
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Oversize objects or furniture
  • Sports gear 
  • Prohibited substance
  • School supplies

Conclusion 

Packing for college is stressful but it's better to under-pack than to pack too much. You can always do some extra shopping if needs be because if you overpack, you'll need to get rid of some stuff. Either way, it's not a blunder, the most important thing is that you have everything you need to survive in college. Hopefully, this post will serve as a guide to help you with your packing.

Factors To Consider About How Many Outfits You'll Need

1. Climate

The number of outfits you might need depends on where you are in the world. For example, if your college is the University of Florida, it is situated on one of the hottest college campuses so you'll probably need to change your outfits often. If you're at the University of London or Sweden, you probably won't need to change as often. So make sure you know what to expect before you head out to college.

2. Laundry Schedule

This factor depends on how often you plan on doing laundry. Every week or every 14 days? Obviously, the more clothes you bring, the more laundry you'll have. So, if you know this is an inconvenience to you, it's best you keep your clothes at a minimum. Also, you might not have a washing machine or dryer at your closest convenience, so consider that too. This can help save you money, time, and effort.

Consider packing enough clothes for two weeks at a time, including socks and underwear.

3. Personal Routine

This factor works around your hobbies, do you enjoy working out? Are you a homebody? Or do you work a part-time job? Your routines and activities definitely impact how much clothing you should bring to college. Especially if you participate in activities that require you to wear clothes outside of what you wear to college.

It's up to you what you choose to bring, but keep in mind that you need to do laundry, the climate, and your routine. Also, it's okay to repeat outfits and wash them.

4. Time Frame 

You might end up visiting home often, so avoid packing for the whole year. Bring enough clothes for two semesters or seasons. 

5. Occasion 

What will you be getting up to college? There are weekend events, parties among other things that you'll have to consider. 

Do's And Don'ts

Do's 

1. Make A List Of What To Bring 

If you plan on grabbing what you can see, you'll probably make a mistake. So do your research and pack essentials. 

2. Bring Formal Outfits 

Oftentimes you'll be required to meet professionals and interview for positions, so it's best to pack appropriate clothing. It will save you time and money because you won't have to go shopping. 

Don'ts

1. Overpack

It's tempting to bring your whole closet with you to college, but unfortunately, dorm closets are small. Even if you were to bring everything you have, you probably wouldn't have any place to keep them.

2. Avoid Bringing Outfits That You 'Might' Wear

You might have one or two items that you love but aren't sure about, rather not bring any of those. This is how you start packing unnecessary clothes. If you haven't worn an outfit in over a year, it's unlikely that you'll start wearing it in college.

3. Don't Bring Expensive Items

Try not to bring your designer clothes and accessories to college. Unless you're willing to take chances. You'll be exposed to new people that you may not be able to trust, so be cautious about your expensive items.

4. Don't Bring Out-Of-Season Clothes 

If you plan on going home before significant season changes, then you should leave some items at home for when you return. When the time is right, you can go home and swap your clothes. This way your dorm closet has enough space for each season of clothes. 

5. Don't Pack Prohibited Items 

Every housing complex has rules about what you can bring. Please check the list they give you to ensure that you're adhering to protocols. 

6. Don't Forget Shower Shoes 

Going to shower barefoot isn't the best idea, so bring flip-flops you can wear in the shower. 

7. Don't Skimp On Towels 

You probably won't have a lot of time to do laundry, so you should have enough bathroom towels to get you through the busy times. Three is a sufficient amount. 

8. Don't Pack A Large Suitcase 

Don't use a large suitcase to pack your clothes. It might offer you space to pack your belongings, but with a small dorm room, you won't have enough space to pack the suitcase. Rather take a few small suitcases instead. 

College Clothing Essentials:

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • T-shirts
  • Tank Tops
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Pajamas
  • Jeans
  • Sweaters/Hoodies/Cardigans/Jackets
  • Casual tops & Blouses
  • Leggings/Yoga pants
  • Formal Business clothing (For interviews or presentations)
  • Gym clothes
  • Swimwear

Clothing for Special Occasions:

  • Outfits for college parties
  • Halloween costumes
  • Sundresses or formal dresses
  • Pencil skirt/blazer/formal pants for interviews or presentations

Clothes To Pack Based On US Regions 

Northeast Region

If you come from somewhere warm, packing for the Northeast region is a challenge. The seasons change quite drastically and daily so you have to come prepared. Take a look at the average temperatures and work around that. 

Must Haves: 

  • Boots 
  • Raincoat 
  • Layered coat
  • Gloves 
  • Hat
  • Scarves 
  • Warm socks 

The Mid-Atlantic Region 

This area has beautiful falls and cold winters. It's more mild and humid than the Northeast, but you can expect a lot of changes. It's possible to have all four seasons in one week. 

Must Haves: 

  • Snow boots 
  • Scarf 
  • Gloves 
  • Sturdy jeans 
  • 3-in-1 or interchangeable coat 
  • Summer clothes 
  • Sweaters 
  • Tank tops 

The Southeast Region 

Winters are usually warmer around this part and rain is more common than snow. Summers are hot, the highs go up to the 90s but with the rain, there may be thunderstorms. 

Must Haves:

  • Yoga pants 
  • T-shirts 
  • Winter coat 
  • Versatile sweaters 
  • Light jacket 
  • Day dresses 

The South Regions 

Mild winters but snowfalls do happen from time to time. Mississippi and Louisiana receive the most rainfall. Summers can get pretty hot, so you want to pack light clothes too. 

Must Haves: 

  • Umbrella 
  • Baseball hat
  • Light cardigan 

The Southwest Region 

You can expect desert regions to get extremely hot and dry. The mountains do get cold though. Winters are milder, with very little rain during the summer. But, when it rains, there are thunderstorms. 

Must Haves: 

  • Tank tops 
  • Jeans 
  • Light jacket 
  • Shorts
  • Sandals 
  • Dresses 

The Midwest Region

The Midwest is known for its blistering cold winters. Summers are warm but not as hot as other regions. Thunderstorms are common during summer, but fall and spring are mild and beautiful. 

Must Haves: 

  • Long and warm jacket 
  • Umbrella 
  • Parkas 
  • Hoodies 
  • Duck boots 

The High Plains Region 

You'll experience extremely cold temperatures here during winter. But summers are hot, so be sure to pack a range of clothing so that you're prepared for drastic changes in weather. 

The Northwest Region 

Students in this region will experience varying changes in weather. There are cool winters along the coast and dry winters inland. There's a lot of rain in this area, especially in the mountains. Although, summers are the sunniest! 

How Many Clothes Are Too Much?

Remember that you have a limited amount of space, so pack the bare minimum with the assumption that you'll do laundry at least once a week.

How Many Clothes Do College Guys Need?

  • 7-10 shirts
  • 3 pants
  • 7-10 underwear
  • 7-10 socks
  • a pair of house shoes
  • at least 2 outdoor shoes
  • 1 jacket

How Many Clothes Do College Girls Need?

  • 7-10 shirts
  • 4 pants and/or skirts
  • 10-14 underwear
  • 10-14 socks
  • a pair of house shoes
  • at least 2 outdoor shoes
  • 2 sweaters
  • 1 jacket

What About Shoes? 

  • Casual sneakers
  • Formal shoes
  • Heels
  • Rain boots
  • Flip flops
  • Shower shoes
  • Running shoes
  • Snow boots

Underwear 

If you plan on doing laundry every two weeks, pack over 14 pairs. You can repeat some clothing items over time, but you can't do that with underwear for hygiene purposes. 

What Are The Things You Shouldn't Bring To College? 

  • Huge numbers of cloths
  • Precious objects
  • Kitchen accessories
  • Pans and pots
  • Candles
  • Printer for printing
  • High-school bags
  • High-school outfit
  • Knife
  • Pistol/Gun
  • Additional beds
  • Animals
  • Alcohol
  • School supplies
  • 18+ books
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Oversize objects or furniture
  • Sports gear 
  • Prohibited substance
  • School supplies

Conclusion 

Packing for college is stressful but it's better to under-pack than to pack too much. You can always do some extra shopping if needs be because if you overpack, you'll need to get rid of some stuff. Either way, it's not a blunder, the most important thing is that you have everything you need to survive in college. Hopefully, this post will serve as a guide to help you with your packing.

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Amanda Hoyle
Founder
Amanda is a proficient and widely published educational leader, with Master's degrees in both Education and Psychology.
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