What do i wear to uni?!

[skib]

I am 39 and back at uni full time so mixing with much younger people. Most of my lecturers are my age or older and all look so well put together. Meanwhile ive worked in childcare for 20 years so have never really had to look casually nice.

Im 5ft 2 and a 12 -14 but the real barrier to looking presentable js the cycling to uni, (or bus of it's raining) then walking around the big campus all day.

So what do i wear given it has to be functional but not too young! I’d love to be trendy but i think you either are or you aren't. All suggestions welcome.

Jeans and a shirt is pretty good for the start, timeless, you can then adapt once you find your feet.

Wear whatever you want. I was at a fresher's event at a uni last week and was really impressed by the range of looks. Yes lots of jeans and hoodies but also some people who looked like they'd stepped out of gossip girl. But jeans and a shirt/jumper are a good shout.

The problem is i don't know what i want to wear. Im just wearing what i have which is mostly leggings and plain jumpers. I have jeans of course but none of my clothes feel grown up.

Shoes are always the tricky thing. I'm going to buy some new balance this week. Saw a cool green pair.

It's uni, literally no one cares! Don't overthink it

Get some chunky leather boots and a long black/grey/whatever really wool coat or a trench coat for autumn. But don't have the coat be fitted, loose is the goal. Then layer a knitted scarf on colder days, add a hat and gloves. Some cool sunglasses never hurt.

I love leggings and a tunic style dress/cardigan if you want to wear leggings but feel more put together. It was my work friendly legging look for a while. Works well with an ankle boot/knee high boot in the winter.

Leggings and plain jumpers seems fine to me.

I’m a lecturer, but I walk or cycle to campus too. My winter ‘uniform’ is either wide-legged trousers, culottes, or wool or leather skirts with cashmere jumpers, sometimes over a shirt, and boots. Occasional woollen wrap dresses. I wear a lot of scarves, silver jewellery and an Oska parka over the top. Slouchy cashmere beanie and gloves when colder.

Do 39 year olds really use the word trendy? (Maybe don’t for the next year or two.)

I’m in Oxford right now. Oxford uni term hasn’t started yet - and postgrads are a bit harder to distinguish, but everywhere is full of Oxford Brookes undergrads, and all the female students are either in jogging trousers, cropped top and light bomber / shacket things, or jeans that fall straight from the hip to the ankle, trainers or Birkenstocks and plain white t shirts. Don’t know if that helps?

I do sympathise with your uncertainty though! I was much older than you when I did my postgrad degree - and dressing for that year seemed infinitely more challenging than a previous era spent swanning around in an expensive suit. Oddly enough the main difficulty was having enough clothes.

To be honest, as you don’t know how you want to look - I would head for the best (for clothes) T K Maxx you can access, and try on everything vaguely suitable that takes your fancy. Discard all memory of your childcare clothing requirements - this is an opportunity for renewal and reinvention. But don’t buy much. Because in three months time you’ll probably be an entirely different person.

I’m in exactly the same situation, 37 at a campus uni and surrounded by teens in jogging bottoms and crop tops. I’m just mixing it up as much as possible at the mo to see what I feel comfy in, and also what will help me get the most out of my day as juggling uni, part time work and family life is a stretch! So on long uni days where I need to fit in a gym session I’m wearing my gym gear, with a big oversize jumper and khaki gilet over the top. Have finally embraced the longer socks rather than trainer socks and find it really comfy!

Days when I’m between the office and uni, I’m wearing either jeans with loafers and a shirt or jumper or a dress with tights and my DMs. All those looks have worked quite well and I don’t feel out of place in anywhere - yet! I’ve never been able to wear joggers out the house I just feel like I’m in my PJs so that’s one look I wont be getting on board with! I figure there’s such a huge variety on campus anything goes so just make it work for you!

As older student you more likely to dress like lecturers than students! So smart casual. Whatever you want though. Go comfortable and adapt if you wish .

Gym sessions? Wow! (I dropped two dress sizes in the first term purely from running up and down train and tube platforms and carrying a heavy bag around all day because my institution declined to give me a locker.)

Definitely no need to try to emulate younger peers, OP. I mentioned what they’re wearing to reassure you it’s nothing outrageous or unusual. Just experiment with what feels like a cooler casual look to you than childcare clothes. Bear in mind the adage buy cheap, buy twice - aim for better quality items (natural fabrics) that will help you to look good for longer. If necessary keep good things just for uni rather than wearing for home life.

Uniqlo trousers are comfortable with an elasticated waist which might be good with cycling in, they tend to be quite cheap. I'd wear with a black / white t-shirt and a casual blazer on top. Comfortable and smart looking (not that that really matters) maybe with a scarf or jewellery. Shoe wise I find Clarks Hamble Oaks fit most occasions but you might want some ankle boots with the changing weather.

That's great op! I hope you enjoy your studies.

I work at a uni and I wear dark smart straight cut jeans, a cashmere jumper and Adidas Gazelles most days if I don't have meetings.

Students wear all sorts of stuff, but are typically on the casual side. Wear what you feel comfortable in.

Exciting times!

Tunic style tops. F&F or Tu at Sainsbury's. Or Morrisons. Leggings and boots. Knee high pair and shin/ankle high. Just make sure the leggings are long enough to tuck into the shin/ankle boots because you won't get distracted during lectures etc because you're re-tucking everything.
M&S have some lovely soft wide leg trousers.
Invest in a wrap or smart long cardigan because you never know how cold the rooms will be ,and sitting in a lecture theatre or hall when you're cold is awful.
Check out charity shops because they'll have pieces you might like and if someone admires a scarf or jacket you can say ' vintage!'. It's a great icebreaker .
Think about a bag that will hold everything you might need for each day.
Regardless of what resources you will access online think about how you'll take notes.
Using a tablet/iPhone/ smart phone? Smart two strap back pack.
When I was at uni years ago we had a mature student on our course . She was ace. She knew as much as our lecturers in some cases but could give a different perspective or 'reading' because she hadn't at that point been to uni.
Get you Student Union card as well. Discounts !

Anything seems to go really. My DD goes with jeans and jumpers and decent trainers as lots of walking.

But I've been up in the middle of winter with snow falling and seen students out in shorts and sliders!!

Tunic style tops. F&F or Tu at Sainsbury's. Or Morrisons. Leggings and boots.

I really wouldn’t do this. You will look as if you can’t afford and are not aware of current clothing trends.

Absolutely not tunic tops and leggings. Nothing screams middle aged more. Cocoon style jumpers with leggings, scrunched socks and uggs/gazelles/new balance. Balloon jeans. Hoodies with oversized wool coat.

I'm in my early 50's & doing a part time uni course. Most other students are significantly younger than me but I just go for comfort - jeans & jumper, leggings & hoody. It's always on the chilly side in our uni too. Don't worry about other's opinions, wear what you're comfy in. In my experience no-one's interested in what others wear.

The only lecturers at my institution who dress ‘smart casual’ are the ones teaching business subjects. The rest of us can be found in anything from jeans and band T-shirts to Margaret Howell to dresses with cat prints. One of my colleagues has been wearing the same two hairy jumpers alternately since I was an undergraduate here, and another regularly gives lectures in full MAMIL cycling gear.

Ok thanks everyone! I'm feeling like i should start with the shoes/boots and work upwards. I ordered the green new balance on line and an €85 cardigan!! (Who do i think i am!). I'll take a trip to M&S this weekend. I love culottes and they suit me in summer but just not sure how to style in the winter without being freezing. Someone mentioned a wool loose coat and i know the exact style they mean so will seek this out. I can always put it in the bike basket when I'm cycling.

I'm currently sitting in the library at the window people watching and it really is a case of anything goes.

I know Emm and Ess is supposed to be having a resurgence, but it’s hardly the most exciting place. And you’re not going to find a single thing there that marks you out as an interesting individual with their own unique style.

Before you go, why not browse the websites of:

American Vintage

Grenson

Cordera

Eat Dust

Colenimo

YMC

Margaret Howell

Jo Gordon

Begg & Co

For inspiration. For ideas of how to do relaxed clothing beyond home wear. For brands worth seeking out at T K Maxx or pre-owned on Vinted or Vestiaire. For that one perfect thing (a scarf or brightly coloured jumper or really skilful layering or a great beanie hat) that your new fellow students will identify you with.

That is so helpful, thanks @IWantedThereThereButItsGone for all the links. And that's exactly what i want, relaxed wear that isn't gym gear.

Another lecturer chipping in. My female students tend to be in gym type stuff, loose jeans and jumpers, and some are now into short skirts with opaque tights, knits, and DM boots. Lots of leather jackets but I know puffer type coats and jackets will appear in the next few weeks too.,

Agree with pp about rooms being variable temperature-wise, and it can be hot lugging about a lot of stuff (laptop etc). Layers can be useful.

I teach a creative subject and at this time of year mainly wear black jeans (I switch between Levi’s baggy dad and 90s 501s) with a knit from Arket (cardigan or jumper) and a white t-shirt underneath, Adidas or New Balance trainers, or DM boots. Staff in my team - media - are casual but lecturers in eg the law department are smarter, although everyone is less formal since lockdown.

The very expensive cardigan has arrived and it's lovely so worth the money. I think wide leg jeans with my new new balance (when they arrive) and as @Judystilldreamsofhorses said re: the white tshirt as a staple is what appeals to me. I can still cycle in that kind of outfit and be a little bit more stylish than I'm used to. I dont suit DM style boots at all as i have big feet for my height but will keep an open mind to some sort of a flat ankle boot.