A good student wardrobe does not have to be big. With a pair of jeans, trousers, a few tops or polos, a blouse or shirt and a cardigan you already get far. That base works for lectures, presentations, internship interviews and drinks. Neutral colours and low-crease fabrics make combining easier.
Why a basic wardrobe pays off during your studies
During your studies there are also moments when you want to be dressed a little more smartly. There are presentations, working groups with guest speakers, internship interviews, company open days, student society dinners and drinks. A few polished basic pieces are therefore handy. You do not need a full wardrobe for that. If the pieces combine with each other, you choose faster in the morning.
The base in ten pieces
| Piece | Number | What for |
|---|---|---|
| Dark or light jeans | 1 | Lectures, weekend, drinks |
| Smart trousers | 1 | Presentations, interviews, dinners |
| Knitted top or T-shirt | 2 | Daily, a touch more polished than cotton |
| Polo or blouse | 2 | Working groups, internship, presentations |
| Fine-knit cardigan or sweater | 1 | Cold lecture halls and libraries |
| Jacket | 1 | Cycling in all weathers |
| Shoes | 2 | White sneakers and smart loafers or ankle boots |
For women: how to put it together
Start with a pair of jeans that fit well and that you can wear both casually and smartly. The Adelaide high-waist contour-fit jeans in light blue have a high waist that shows off a tucked-in top beautifully, and a little elastane for comfort during long lecture days. Combine them with the Fiori fine-knit T-shirt in white striped: more polished than an ordinary T-shirt, and with the buttons and tweed look just a little bit special.
For cold halls and long evenings in the library, a cardigan is indispensable. The Veronique fine-knit lyocell cardigan in light grey is light enough to carry in your bag and goes over everything. Complete it with smart trousers in black or navy for presentations and interviews. See all pieces in all collections for Women.
For men: how to put it together
For men the base starts with a good polo. You wear the Atticus striped cotton polo in navy on an ordinary lecture day with jeans, and at a presentation with smart trousers. A polo with buttons looks just a bit more polished than a T-shirt, without you being overdressed.
The Vincent slim-fit trousers in black are the piece you take out of the wardrobe for anything a bit more formal: an internship interview, a society dinner or a networking drink. Thanks to the elastane in the fabric they also sit comfortably on a bike. Combine with a shirt, a knitted polo or a fine-knit sweater. You will find more in all collections for Men.
Five situations, one wardrobe
- Ordinary lecture day: jeans, knitted T-shirt or polo, sneakers, cardigan in your bag.
- Presentation or working group with a guest speaker: smart trousers, blouse or polo, loafers.
- Internship interview: smart trousers, blouse or shirt, cardigan or jacket, polished shoes.
- Society dinner: trousers, knitted top or shirt, smart shoes.
- Drinks in the city: jeans, your nicest top or polo, loafers or ankle boots.
Choose colours that always go together
With little wardrobe space, a limited colour palette is practical. Navy, black, grey, white and denim blue all combine with each other. If you want colour, choose one accent, such as a light blue or burgundy piece. That way you can wear any top with any pair of trousers and get dozens of combinations from ten pieces.
Invest wisely
On a limited budget it pays to buy with purpose. Choose a few good basic pieces that you wear often. Start with the pieces you wear most, such as trousers and a few tops, and expand slowly. As a member of Issu & Lloyd Members you stay up to date with new collections.
How to keep things neat in a student house
A small room and a shared washing machine call for smart habits. Wash at low temperatures, sort light and dark and let knitwear dry flat instead of in the dryer. Hang your trousers and shirts on a hanger straight after washing and you will hardly need to iron. A small garment steamer is a good investment for anyone without an ironing board. On our care instructions page you can read per material how best to wash it.
Cycling, rain and long days
Anyone studying in a Dutch city is on a bike every day. That makes demands on your clothing. Trousers with a little elastane sit more comfortably on the saddle and are less likely to tear at the crotch than a stiff fabric. Choose a jacket that falls past your hips, so your lower back stays dry, and keep a foldable rain overtrouser or poncho in your bike bag for the real downpours. Light-coloured trousers are lovely, but show mud splashes faster. A dark pair of trousers or jeans is more practical for daily cycling.
Study days can be long, so comfort remains important. Choose pieces that stay comfortable and still look polished after ten hours. Fine knitwear and fabrics with a little stretch are stronger here than stiff cotton or shiny fabrics that crease quickly.
Common mistakes in the first year
- Buying everything at once. You only discover after a few weeks what you really need. Start small.
- Only casual clothing. Your first internship interview or first presentation comes sooner than you think.
- Clothing that cannot handle the washing machine. In a student house, hand washing is rarely realistic. Choose pieces with a simple care label.
Shop the look
Adelaide: high-waist contour-fit jeans, light blue
Fiori: fine-knit T-shirt with tweed look and buttons, white striped
Veronique: fine-knit lyocell cardigan, light grey
Atticus: striped cotton polo, navy
Vincent: slim-fit trousers with mid-rise, black
Frequently asked questions
How much clothing do you need as a student?
With about ten well-combinable pieces and two pairs of shoes you get a long way. Then expand with what you really miss.
What do you wear to a presentation at university?
Smart trousers or dark jeans with a blouse, shirt or knitted polo. Polished, but not formal.
Which colours are the most useful for a basic wardrobe?
Navy, black, grey, white and denim blue. They all combine with each other, so you make many outfits with few pieces.
