<p>Heyy so I'm from Texas and I'm starting to think about clothes for next year! Does anybody have any specific clothing items that are popular at w&l? I know here things that are popular are pandora bracelets, north faces, coach bags, and forever 21 clothes. is it the same at w&l?</p>
<p>W&L is a preppy school without a doubt but many students dress in their own unique ways. I will mention some brands that are popular on campus but in no way does that mean that you have to like them or wear them. J.Crew, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Ralph Lauren, David Yurman, Hudson Jeans, Marmot, Patagonia, Barbour, Tory Burch, Lacoste and so on. Most girls would tell you that its important to have a lot of dresses because W&L tends to have more formals than most schools so if you were to pick up a few things before coming here as a student it would most likely advise to buy sundresses and formal dresses. I almost hate answering this question because it makes Washington & Lee sound like a petty school which it is not. I do understand why this question was asked because one common trait of a Washington & Lee student is to like students enjoy looking presentable which is unique to a lot of colleges. It would be hard to find students in sweatpants and tshirts in any week other than finals but when students dont feel like dressing up it is perfectly acceptable to be in a tshirt and nike dri-fit shorts. The most important thing I can advise when buying clothing for W&L is that trendy items are not exactly what you need, a polo dress or cardigan will get more use than the newest thing at F21. Classic styles are always in fashion and pearls look good with everything. I hope I was helpful but again do not want to make it seem like you have to wear certain brands to fit in at the school because you dont, and I do not want to make the college sound like a scene from Mean Girls because W&L really is a special place and community.</p>
<p>wow all those brands seem really expensive…a single David Yurman bracelet costs more than most peoples outfits for a month at my school. do people really wear expensive clothes like that? and a Barbour coat is more than I can really afford. do clothes matter much? will I not get into a sorority if I don’t have clothes like you mentioned above?</p>
<p>Don’t worry the majority of the students cant afford some of those brands but they are the ones in style at the school. I have been wanting a barbour coat but the 700 is a lot more than I can spend for a coat. You will get into a sorority no matter what you wear if you are a good fit for that sorority. I mentioned popular brands at the school not necessarily the cheapest brands but that does not mean people dont wear cheaper subsitutes. Many girls have llbean coats that look like barbours for example and its common for girls to buy sundresses and basics at forever 21. I think when it comes to clothing most girls would rather have a few expensive items that a lot of cheaper clothing choices. When it comes to jewelry many girls have one or two nice pieces that they wear everyday and monogrammed necklaces and bracelets are common on campus. Those who are lucky enough to have something like a David Yurman ring wear it everyday and thats the kind of jewelry girls like. These are not girls who buy into trends, w&l students buy things that will last them all four years and have that classic look.</p>
<p>We have gradually built a wardrobe over 2 years of classics that are prominent, but not necessarily the most pop brands…such as riding style boots and nice skinny jeans. Would never spend the money on Tory Burch or David Yurman. Bring a nice cocktail style dress or two (daughter has borrowed/traded around for at least half of events she’s attended and has reworn stuff). There will be some long gowns at Fancy Dress, but also short and many of formals are mostly short. Look at website pictures on scene around campus. You’ll see nike shorts, jeans and tshirts, cute dresses…it varies all over the map although overall I’d say the trend is traditional/preppy. Have a comfortable dress or skirt for Lee Chapel wear. North Face and Coach will totally fit in.</p>
<p>Leave room in the budget for warmer clothes. My daughters first christmas consisted on long johns, better socks, Uggs, good gloves, warmer coat and long dress winter coat to go over dresses:) There’s a lot of walking at W&L.</p>
<p>If you plan to rush, you will get guidelines mid-fall for what you need for rush week after Christmas.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the helpful information, wluclass15 and scmom12!</p>