A university wardrobe on a budget: what you actually need

Start with what you have

Before buying anything, go through your current wardrobe. Most of what you wear now will work at university. Make a list of the real gaps, and bring only what you will wear: you will have less storage than you think, and you may be carrying it all up several flights of stairs.

The essentials

A warm, waterproof coat

You will be walking between lectures, the library, shops and home in every kind of weather. A coat with a hood that keeps out rain and fits over a jumper is the most useful thing you can own. A second-hand parka, padded jacket or waterproof is far cheaper than new. Our guide on how a winter coat should fit helps you choose one with room for layers.

Shoes you can walk in

• One pair of comfortable everyday shoes or trainers for walking all day.
• Something waterproof for wet days, such as boots.
• One smarter pair for going out or interviews.

Check the soles and the insole length in cm when buying second-hand.

Layers for cold rooms

Shared houses and older buildings can be chilly. Layers are cheaper than turning the heating up.

• two or three jumpers or hoodies
• a cardigan or fleece that goes on and off easily
• long-sleeved tops to wear underneath

Wool and merino jumpers are warm for their weight and need washing less often, which helps when laundry costs money.

Everyday clothes

• jeans or trousers, two or three pairs
• enough T-shirts and tops to last between washes
• something comfortable for lounging and studying

Going-out pieces

A few versatile pieces go a long way: a top or shirt that dresses up jeans, a dress or jumpsuit you can wear more than once, and a jacket that works over both. Freshers' week, society socials and themed nights come round often, so second-hand is ideal for anything you will only wear a couple of times.

One smart outfit

For interviews, presentations, placements and formal dinners, you need one smart outfit that fits well: a blazer, smart trousers or a skirt, a shirt or plain top, and smart shoes. A second-hand suit or blazer is one of the best-value buys you can make. Our guide to buying a second-hand suit explains what to check.

Choose easy-care fabrics

You will probably be doing your own laundry, possibly in shared machines.

• Choose clothes you can machine wash at 30 or 40°C. Avoid "dry clean only" unless it is your smart outfit.
• Check the care label before you buy. Ask the seller to photograph it if it is not in the listing.
• Pick fabrics that do not need ironing, such as jersey, knitwear and denim.
• A folding drying rack is worth its space if there is no dryer.

Our guide to caring for denim shows how to keep jeans looking good with less washing.

Make the space work

• Use under-bed storage for out-of-season clothes.
• Fold knitwear rather than hanging it, so it keeps its shape and takes less rail space.
• Take only the clothes you will wear that term, and swap them over in the holidays.

Buying second-hand as a student

• Know your measurements and compare them with each listing in cm. Our guide on how to measure clothes shows how.
• Check the delivery address. If you live in halls, find out how parcels are delivered and collected.
• Keep everything in the app. On Rewear your payment is held until you confirm the piece has arrived as described, and you have 14 days from delivery to report a problem. Buyers pay a buyer protection fee of 30p + 3%, shown before you pay.

Members on Rewear must be 18 or over.

Sell what you no longer need

At the end of the year, or when you move out, list what you did not wear rather than carrying it home or throwing it away. On Rewear listing is free and there is no selling fee, so the price you agree is the price you are paid.

The short version

A warm waterproof coat, walking shoes, layers for cold rooms, everyday basics, a few going-out pieces and one smart outfit. Choose machine-washable fabrics, check measurements, keep it small enough for a student room, and sell what you do not wear at the end of the year.