The first day at a new university or college is complicated. Excitement, nervousness, pride – there’s a lot to carry into the new term after months away. Whether you’re headed back to college or sixth form for your first term outside of uniform, or on your way to a new university, you only get one first day a year and you have to make it count. We’ve brought together some of our favourite sneakers and apparel that will get you looking right, on a student budget.
If it’s time to get serious and buckle down, you could do much worse than a well-fitting cosy tee and affordable pants that are both very on-trend. Fear of God Essentials is always coming through with the wardrobe staples, and the Calabasas Track Pants from adidas Yeezy are subtle enough to be incredibly versatile without being too flashy. Whether you’re studying at home or on campus this look will keep you comfy and presentable. The Supreme x Super Soaker Keychain keeps the summer vibes going.
We love to see a vintage look mixed with current trends, and this fit straddles those retro feels with some of our current faves. The Club-C, one of Reebok’s most celebrated silhouettes, was given a Vintage makeover with famed sneaker store BAIT that includes OG styling and a lightly yellowed sole. Mix those in with a Corduroy Classic Logo Dad Hat from Awake and the Logo Hoodie from Future and Uniqlo and you have a fit that’s the perfect blend of retro and contemporary.
We love a full fitted moment, especially if it comes in low-key merch. This whole look is brought to you by the Stranger Things x Nike collab and features an entire sartorial sequence from Hawkins High School, the local educational institution for all those Stranger Things kids. The not-so-strange outfit offers that varsity team look without going too deep into school spirit. There’s still enough room in the budget to grab one of the first Nike React Element 87 colourways, the sneaker that first introduced the React sole technology and will forever be a part of Nike history.
If you’re looking for a throwback fit to prove you’ve got the historical juice, we’re going to get you there for under two benjis. Arguably the most iconic sneaker in history, the Nike Air Force 1 is always available for a song, and now is no different. Crisp white is the perfect tone for footwear on any first day. Toss in the Bape Family Bag Apehead Hat that acts as a cheeky reference to the trucker hat craze from the turn of the millennium, and the KAWS x Uniqlo Tee that blends KAWS’ tagging history, and you’ve got a look that blends old school grunge with timeless street style.
Class is in session. We already gave you a lesson on the surprising history of the adidas Stan Smith and the true story behind the sneaker’s name, but no matter what drives your inspiration for loving this iconic sneaker, it’s always an A+. Smooth leather, minimalist design, and a pop of green make for a sneaker that looks as smart as the price tag will make you feel. The budget-friendly kicks will let you indulge a little on the Anti Social Social Club Kkoch Hoodie Black. “Kkoch,” translated from Korean can mean “flower,” “blossom,” “beauty,” or “essence,” which explains the colorful print on the back and will make for a great vocab word.
If you’re part of the Zoom university crowd or are just looking to spend the last warm nights of the season in the great outdoors, you’ve still got to stay properly fitted. Sometimes you don’t want to lace up a pair of sneakers, so these Benassi slides from Nike and Stüssy are the perfect choice. Stüssy’s Habanero Red colourway will match the Bucket Hat from the same collection. But what’s most exciting about this fit is the Douglas Firs to Palm Trees T-Shirt that draws heavily from the community running tees of the 90s. While the race depicted on the tee may not exist, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a cooldown.
The Nike Blazer is a certified classic, is a word reserved for sneakers like these. A “classic” is something that stands the test of time, and since the Blazer is just as fashionable today as it was when it first landed on the market more than 40 years ago, it definitely counts. (Are you taking notes?) Whether you grab them in black, blue, or any one of the high-level collaborations, you cannot miss. Paired with the Nike x UN LeBron James More Than an Athlete Hoodie that takes a classic comfy look and mixes it with unique design elements, this is the perfect combination for understated style.
Once classes let out on the first day of school, it might be time for some exercise to work out any first-day anxieties. These tights from Nike and Off-White paired with a crisp white pair of Tennis Classics make for a sporty, but not too rich, pairing. The blend of in-demand brands with style staples guarantees that you’ll make good use of these pieces long after the term is over – and we know how far off that day feels today. But it will be here before you know it.
