What to wear on the first day of class

Wear something you have already worn once and liked. The first day is long, with a lot of walking, waiting and finding rooms. Comfort beats impressing people you have not met yet.

The rule

Three things: clean, plain, tested. Clean means no wrinkles or marks. Plain means a shirt and trousers or a simple dress that goes with your shoes. Tested means you have walked in it before and nothing rubs or pinches.

Check the dress code first

Many schools and colleges have a dress code or a uniform. Read it before you plan anything, and follow it exactly. If you are not sure, ask the student office. Everything below applies only to what the rules leave open.

Add one light layer

Classrooms can be much colder than outside. A light overshirt or thin cardigan in your bag solves it. If you want more detail, the short guide on what to wear in a freezing lecture hall covers it.

Shoes matter most

Day one means more walking than you expect. Wear the shoes you know. Breaking in new shoes on the longest walk of the term is a common mistake. The comparison in sandals vs sneakers for campus walking helps if you are deciding between the two.

One exception

If a new outfit is part of a special occasion, such as an event day, wear it. Just pack comfortable shoes in your bag for the walk.

Do the night before

Lay the outfit out the evening before. Check the weather, the dress code and the bag. Ten minutes at night saves a stressful morning.

What else to carry

Take a water bottle, a charger and a notebook. If you are not sure where your rooms are, screenshot your timetable and the campus map before you leave. Arrive ten minutes early so you are not rushed.

Skip this term

Brand-new shoes on day one. Wait until you have worn them around the house for a few days.