What bits to buy for a “posher” uni on a budget?

[EachandEveryone]

The one that the royals favour up North of the border. We aren’t their level of poshness infact we are very ordinary. No one has been to a ball. We are over the moon that niece is going. What can U buy her will it all be labels like North Face for hiking and where does one get a ball gown on the cheap from? She said she won’t be going to any balls but it’s always nice to have a good frock for best isn’t it?😀

How lovely 😊

I'd give money so she can buy a dress if she needs it or something else special.

Lol 😂

I don’t think North Face is anywhere near posh enough actually. Maybe Patagonia or Arcteryx for actual hiking gear. Not that I have any idea if posh students wear hiking gear. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But if they do it won’t be north face.

To be fair, NOBODY is as posh as heirs to the throne.

My friends Dd goes there. She wears boho ensembles from charity shops and Primark. And gets her Mum to buy RAB down jackets against the cold and good quality waterproofs against the lashing rain.

Congratulations on your niece getting into uni. Don't worry about poshness, there will be all sorts and the uni is very down to earth.

Better to buy her some good winter woolies - that wind can be cold.

We used to go to the sports and societies ball every year at uni, we used to get cheap nice dresses from tk maxx

I bought a ball gown for Durham and (as a post grad) there were zero balls. It’s still in the wardrobe.

A good winter coat will be useful - that east wind is quite literally Baltic.

The course will include some field trips that’s why I thought some decent outdoor wear. She isn’t remotely active though. I told her this will change. I don’t think she will need hunting gear.

I live near there and it's an absolute mix of people, not all hunting shooting fishing types. If anything I would give her money or a voucher for H&M or something.

I went there. It never saw it as posh. There were posh people for sure and there were also entitled gits. But I think you’d get those anywhere and there were lots of entirely normal ordinary people who’d gone to the local comp. Mind you, never managed to bag myself a prince, so maybe I missed a trick!

I went there. In my day most people went to the balls, because there actually wasn’t much else to do in terms of large social gatherings. No clubs. I used to make my own clothes, some people did charity shops, other people had expensive trendy stuff from London, and some had your usual high street brands. It didn’t matter much. I’d look at Ebay and Vinted, these days.

The main thing is warm clothes, lots of scarves and jumpers… the extra thick jumper look was in vogue, rather than a coat. Of course it does rain, but usually it’s more a dry cold, being on the east coast.

What is the nearest shopping town? Is there a good choice of shops? She wont be going into Sea Salt 😃

Isn't Lady Louise going there? I read it today.

Didriksons are good and not too scarily priced if you can find one in a sale eg:

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/didriksons-womens-helle-parka-5-A4414545.html?colour=104

If she does go to the ball, she could look on Vinted or hire a nice dress?

North face is drug dealer wear here so it won't be that. They'll either be true 'posh' Aztec diamond, Lemeiuex, Rab, Patagonia or won't give a shit and it'll be mum and dads actual tech clothing that's been kicking around for years with a pair of expensive boots.

I think the young clothes shops are H&M and Superdry. There's about 7 charity shops. Might be able to pick up a 2nd hand ball gown.
The students there don't look "posh." They dress like slobs, same as everywhere else. Your niece doesn't need to feel intimidated.

If she wants a wider range of shops, she'll have to go into Edinburgh.

A certain young woman going there is in the paper today, and she looks so like her grandmother in the photo.

Buy decent winter wear online second hand. US hiking brands are good. Buying second hand means it won't look brand spanking new, which is a good thing.

Money always goes down well.

Hope she has a blast. There isn't much else to do at that university besides all the clubs and societies so she'd better start looking online for a nice, gently used party frock.

What sort of field work is she doing? If it involves hiking in Scotland and she's not outdoorsy, the very kindest things you can buy her are good hiking socks, a good waterproof or maybe some good thermal underwear! If you've only ever got wet walking home in a city, 8 hours stood in a Scottish bog are a new and especially awful kind of hell

Sorel boots or a Rains raincoat would be handy.

RAB - buy British, wonderful quality and not the chav ness of North Face xx

DS went there. You can't go wrong with Berghaus or Patagonia.

I went there. Never mind posh - it is so, so cold in winter. You do get some very posh people there, (maybe more, post-William?) but most are fairly ordinary. It’s just another Scottish Uni.

If she's doing something like geology then def get some thermal under layers. Decathlon have some ski ones and I use them all the time. Craft is also a good brand - loads of other brands and quality varies but I've found the long tops from Decathlon decent enough. They also dry quickly which is great for washing.

I went to a uni where the royals don't go but loads of their friends do. A lot of them are unable to mix properly with people who have different backgrounds meaning your niece doesn't need to try and fit in, she will fit in to a group naturally.

If she doesn't come from a background of privileged education then definitely make sure she knows that her voice, thoughts and ideas are just as good as those from an educational background that promotes unequivocal self confidence in public speaking. It can be quite intimidating at first hearing the self-assured opinions booming across the room in tutorials or seminars if you're not used to it. She met the entry requirements as did they, so whatever is in her head is just as good.