Popular brands in boarding schools?

<p>So I'm going to be a freshman this year and I was wondering what brand names are popular for shoes, purses, and clothes. If anyone currently goes to boarding school or is familiar with what they wear there could tell me which of these brands are popular? thanks!
-Hunter boots
-sperrys
-Uggs
-Long Champ bag
-Michael Kors
-Steve Madden
-Ralph Lauren
-J. Crew
-forever 21</p>

<p>As far as purses, what is a good brand to buy to carry to class with?? Any other advice would be great, thanks!</p>

<p>On our tours last fall I saw a lot of Sperrys, Hunter wellies, and J Crew. But then again it kind of depends on your school’s dress code. Some schools don’t allow sneakers so I am not so sure these schools would be excited about Uggs or fringy Minnetonka boots–however popular they are!</p>

<p>Vineyard Vines has a really cute Blair custom tote for $65.00 and that is kind of what I would suggest for a purse (although to quote the Hangover, it’s not a purse, it’s a satchel). I don’t know too many people who carry purses, but I do see all the boarding school kids in my town carrying these with their school logo on them. I honestly don’t know anyone who carries a purse since most don’t drive.</p>

<p>I think the best advice to give on the brand thing is, pack light going in and see what everyone else is wearing so you don’t buy a lot of stuff you aren’t going to wear. You really don’t need a logo on your shirt (but if you do and you don’t want to pay full price, outlet malls are a good source). Also Lands End sells polos through their school uniform website for I want to say $10-12. They and LL Bean also carry less expensive tote bags, although the school one I mentioned makes a nice gift.</p>

<p>I would think the best advice on to give on the brand thing is to find and wear what you like and is comfortable and appealing to you. What everyone else is wearing is pretty much irrelevant.</p>

<p>You should wear the brand that you like, don’t try to hard to fit in because after a while everyone loosk the same because they always wear the same brands. It’s okay to be unique</p>

<p>At my day prep school, which has trendy rich kids (not me, but people like the Microsoft CEO’s kids go here… :rolleyes:) people don’t wear things like -Michael Kors or
-Steve Madden but if they do , they don’t have branding on it. A&F, Uggs, Sperry’s are popular, but not necessary. The best thing to wear is Forever21, H&M, Maybe some Urban Outfitters or A. Eagle, or cheap stuff (NOT referring to Urban Outfitters, just saying) because after high school, it’s not going to matter what jeans you wore or how you cut your hair, it’s going to matter how hard you studied. Especially in BS, where your parents are giving you the opportunity to study in an amazing place. They are already spending lots of money helping you get in, airplanes, postage, etc.
That said, I would go the Forever21 H&M route because the clothes are generally long lasting and “cheap”, yet ULTRA fashionable. Also, this way you can change up your style every year! Awesome, right?</p>

<p>Why is this even a question…?</p>

<p>This question is about fitting in right, not about making a unique fashion statement? So, obviously brand new or really trendy stuff is not desirable. Good quality but broken in is what you want. A brand I haven’t seen mentioned here is the Rainbows flip flop but they are everywhere.
So, while I agree with spaceneedle that after high school it isn’t going to matter terribly what you wore and all that, I still believe in “fewer, nicer things,” and if fitting in was my goal, would rather have three good quality classic shirts heading in the door of boarding school than twenty cheap, one-season garments.</p>

<p>Vineyard Vines
Landsend
Sperry
Southern Tide
Rainbow
BrooksBrothers
Lacoste
J. Crew
L.L. Bean
Barbour
Ralph Lauren
Lily Pulitzer
Patagonia
Murrays Toggery Shop
Smathers and Branson
Tucker Blair
Tommy Hilfiger
Clarks</p>

<p>Sources: boarding school</p>

<p>I am a recent prep/boarding school grad…</p>

<p>I almost always used a backpack because the weight of multiple books plus a laptop adds up really quickly and I found it more comfortable (and better for my shoulders/ back) to use a sturdy backpack. Most of the backpacks kids used were North Face/ Patagonia/ ll bean/ jansport. Longchomp bags have really narrow straps that dig into your shoulders and it becomes really uncomfortable after awhile.</p>

<p>As for shoes… HUNTERS ARE A MUST, and get the liners for them too because they can double as snow boots as long as its not too cold. I invested in a classic barbour coat that I wore all the time, I had a liner for that too so it lasted me until January. I also really liked having a long down coat because it made walking in between buildings for class so much more enjoyable. </p>

<p>You’ll pretty much find that people wear everything and anything when it comes to clothes, so wear what you feel most comfortable in. The things I suggested above are things that I personally enjoyed having. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I actually like H&M (kittenygoodness), their clothes are high quality and “in fashion.” You’ll find that you can fit in just by wearing cute clothes–not brands (although getting little things from Juicy, Kate Spade, Hunter, Ugg, and the like are very nice–another popular brand is Tory Burch, I went to their outlet and picked up some flats ;))</p>

<p>I like H&M too! They have great stuff at a great price and have a lot of nice classic looks with a twist. Urban not so much though–things kind of fall apart and they were recently in the news for their shirts promoting drinking or something like that which I don’t know too many schools that allow that. Their gadgets are funny though. This whole thread I think comes down to what is typical at your particular school–I mean, some places have a pretty strict code (like 2 visible collars etc) while others allow sweats and jeans. But there are some brands or types of things that you see at every school no matter what.
People should wear what they want and I agree it’s important to have your own style and to be true to yourself. I mean, at BS you are picked by admission teams because you are YOU. They want you as you are, not to change you into a Stepford clone. However, if someone wants to get an item or two to make them feel like they are taking on a little of the new place, then yes, some brands are out there but obviously they aren’t necessary! The lists above mentioned though-- I think they are all spot on. :)</p>

<p>I know a lot of people at prep/boarding schools, and I currently attend a very quintessential “preppy” private day school. Just like @travelreader1 said, just about everyone at my school carries L.L. Bean backpacks. They’re great, because they are large and roomy, comfortable, and you can get them monogrammed. Girls always wear Ugg boots (the Bailey Button ones are especially popular), Hunter rainboots, and Sperry boat shoes. Fleece jackets by The North Face are everywhere, too.</p>

<p>As for clothes, I would recommend investing in a few warm, good-quality J.Crew sweaters. They are expensive, but they’re comfortable, well-made, and are great for layering in the brutal winter months. Plus, they will last forever, and match with everything. A few pairs of well-made jeans are important, too, and some nice-quality button down shirts are comfortable and great for layering.</p>

<p>Popular brands include J.Crew, Jack Wills, Ralph Lauren, etc. Since I am by no means wealthy, I get most of my clothes from Forever 21, Nordstrom (sale section is great), H&M, and outlet malls.</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t buy too many brand names. Because I’m still growing, I like Target and Old Navy for most basics, and then Nordstroms and Ann Taylor for some statement pieces. I also go to Delias a lot. Abercrombie is kind of going out of style. My rain boots are Coach, and my backpack/winter jacket is Northface. That’s pretty common.</p>

<p>We’re just starting the process of considering BS for our D. We will need substantial FA in order for her to go there. How much pressure is there at a BS to have the brand name/pricey clothing/etc? She is really interested in going but if it’s a big “what’s on your label”, “where does your family vacation?”; “what type car do they drive?” type of environment, then I think we may pass. TIA!</p>

<p>There’s not too much pressure for brand name clothes, unless you hang out with people who talk about it…which I have a few friends like. The family vacation/what car is a little more prevalent problem. It seems at least 50% of the population is taking some extravagant first class flight to Europe to go skiing in the Alps. As I am on FA myself, and have had some good international travel experiences, I only get slightly jealous. Being a day student, I see a range of cars, from Buicks and Ford minivans to Porsches and BMWs.</p>

<p>People will like you more if you DONT wear brand names. But I have heard a lot of people making fun of the following:</p>

<p>American Eagle
Abecrombie & Fitch
Hollister (I don’t know if this is a brand or a store though)</p>

<p>But seriously, High School students aren’t nearly as shallow as you guys are thinking, ESPECIALLY when it comes to boarding school.</p>

<p>Oh… You know what? I was wrong and forgot to mention if you really want big name brands to go to Nordstrom Rack. My friend found 7 for all Mankind Jeans there for $10 but it took her a lot of scouring the place.</p>

<p>I buy clothes because of how they fit me, not because they have a certain name. I don’t know anyone who judges people based on their brands. @crazedstudent1, right???Sometimes it seems like people think everyone is judging them on something when really nobody is noticing! I wouldn’t notice family cars unless someone rolled up in a stretch hummer or something really different, and then it would be like check it out. But if someone came to school in a rusty trusty I would just be like whatever, and hey, you’re back!!!</p>

<p>Yeah, wear everything on that list if you want to look like every other person on campus. Feels good to surrender all your individuality, doesn’t it? If you’re hanging out with people that make fun of your clothes and pressure you to wear certain brands, then find new friends.</p>