Uni fresher DD, no going out clothes!

[Wazzzzzuuuuuuup]

My dd is just turned 18 and therefore no real experience of going out out. She had been to plenty of gigs but accepts they only necessitate jeans, band t and either docs or Vans.

She's now landed at uni in a big city and is getting on well with housemates and course mates. However, she has not accepted any invites to go out at night other than a single drink in the Wetherspoon. She's admitted today she feels like she doesn't have any clothes for going out. I think the dress code is far more casual for students now than ever before and she could go out on jeans and one of her many ironic shirts, but what do I know?

I'm obviously a terrible parent to send her off so unprepared. Can anyone please advise of where to start?

She is 5'1 and size 14. Very pear shaped so finds it hard to source trousers that fit

She isn't comfortable with showing her body at all. She is very alt with dyed hair and a couple of piercings

She likes shoes, coats and bags.

Can you recommend your favourite young fashion shops? Bonus points for any good petite ranges or trousers in a shorter length.

Both my daughters were students in London. They wore jeans, vans, docs, shirts, sweaters, hoodie etc for normal going out and had a couple of 'posher' (more girly) tops for places where they needed to dress up a bit more. Clothes from H&M, Asos, Uniqlo, Superdry, and sometimes Zara but only if given money or in the sales! Comfort was much more important than trend following. It was refreshing to see photos of groups of individuals rather than everyone looking the same.

Send her some money so she can choose for herself

Just send her some money but tbh all the uni students I know seem to dress like the first season of Friends.

She could take a look on ASOS / boohoo / new look and get a few things very cheaply

Have they got a Beyond Retro or similar vintage shop? I’d bung her some cash and see if her flat mates want to go on a trip with her.

EMP?

Can't she go shopping with her university friends?

My dd is a student. She likes H&M.

https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/index.html

Monki have got 20% off for students and she might like Weekday too. Both Scandi brands that are pretty cool.

I’d either send her some money if she doesn’t have a job yet and she can go with her mates or encourage her to wear whatever she feels comfortable in. I’m sure she’ll figure it out once she’s settled a bit more

When my dd is at home she gets her clothes from places like PLT but in her uni city she goes shopping in actual shops. Can she pop to somewhere like Primark and buy an outfit?

This. If she needs some clothes is there any reason she can’t go shopping with her friends? I was a hell of a lot younger when my mum stopped having anything to do with my clothes.

Try Pixiegirl for trousers in a shorter length https://www.pixiegirl.com/petite-bottoms?f=t&sortby=ourfavourites&page=1

If she's in a city there'll be loads of clothes shops. I still meet up to go shopping with my DD who is at uni but she also has her own allowance for shopping with her mates. She likes H&M, Zara, New Look and Primark.

Disturbia do some lovely dresses with an alt vibe that flatter shorter people.

Dd shops in asos, PLT, ASOS, Stradivarius and Pull and Bear.

she has a small amount of dressy clothes and mostly goes out with combats, vest tops, jeans and her converse or Nikes.

rarely do I see her going out really dressy with a dress or skirt on.

Send her some money! I loved going clothes shopping with my friends when I was in first year at uni. We would spend hours in the communal changing rooms in Top Shop trying everything we could get our hands on. Never had enough money to buy any of it mind you 😂

For info. I'm not buying clothes for her! I'm not that kind of mum, and she's been choosing her own clothes since she was 4. Just trying to get suggestions for places she could look as she is uncertain of her own style or what she 'should' be wearing in her new environment.

Her uni friends are people she has known for 4 days. They are also much taller than she is, so she won't necessarily be able to shop the same styles. She's not comfortable asking them for fashion advice. Her friends at home in our small town are also a young crowd and have no experience of socialising in student places

If she's only been there for four days then she most likely just hasn't found her people yet.

Sounds as though she is just trying to fit in with the people she has met.

Loads of female students are happy to go out dressed casual, especially if it's their style. I know I did.

My DD was the opposite, went off to uni with a case full of going out clothes, and now refuses to wear anything but combats and the most skimpy of tops, often with a hoody over 🤷‍♀️

Urban outfitters is the top of the pricy list
PLT do unlimited next day delivery for something like a tenner a year
Boohoo, ASOS both okay.
But to be honest, if she's anything like my daughter (who sounds a similar shape) anything that she wears to go out in, I can't be seen to condone, boobs out and tight!, so just give the money and let her choose. £30 is enough for an outfit on PLT easily, whereas urban is £100 with no change

This. She's an adult at uni - she will want to choose her own clothes!

I think she needs to solve this problem fir herself. She'll see the styles other students are wearing and she'll be inspired by some. She's got to find her own style. Not something you need to get too involved in

Yes sorry Op, this is something she can sort out herself and I think there is a lot of overthinking going on here. I am 5ft and I never had a problem going clothes shopping with my taller friends. It is literally a case of them walking into a shop and trying some stuff on. Or doing some simple google research and ordering online.

Thanks to folk who've made suggestions re shorter length clothes, that's been really helpful and I've shared the links with her. She likes to look of Monki, there isnt one near our home (nor is there an urban outfitters, an All Saints, Uniqlo, or even a Zara, hence the ask for suggestions) but is one in her new city and she is keen to go and have a look.

My DD is pubby and clubby and out out. She wears baggy cargo trousers and little tops - cropped tees, corset tops, scarf tops - with Nike air force ones and a big jacket. Or skirts with little tops for a more out out night but still with a big jacket and trainers. Tonight she's down the pub in black velour stretchy flares and a big black sweatshirt with trainers. Very chilled.

Her trousers are all baggy cargos or flares. She shops a lot in charity shops and on vinted.

I think if she did a proper night out somewhere where she likes the music in her jeans and a band t shirt she'd a. Look absolutely fine and fit in perfectly and b. Get a good look at stuff others are wearing that she might want to track down and try on. Which city is it? If she's fairly alternative there's likely to be a few shops that sell those sorts of clothes. If it's a northern city I can probably tell you where they are!

Agree with the others who say stand back and let her sort this. Part of the point of going to uni is to grow up and learn how to fend for yourself. There will be no long term damage if she makes wrong decisions over this.