15 Best Brands for College Guys

Are you a college guy looking for the best brands and stores to shop at? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

As a recent college graduate, I know first hand what students are actually wearing in college and where you can get clothes at affordable prices. As a guy in college, it can be hard to find the time to go shopping, so I make it easy for you.

In this post, I’ll break down the best brands for college guys, their price range and what you can expect to find at each store.

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1. Uniqlo

Uniqlo is a Japanese fast fashion company and has quickly become one of the most popular brands for college guys. At Uniqlo, you’ll find the latest styles for reasonable prices.

The style of clothing at Uniqlo tends to be very simple, but it’s a great store to get your wardrobe essentials. Their clothing is a very good quality, considering the price point at Uniqlo.,

Uniqlo has a great selection of sweaters, pants, shorts, shirts and jackets for guys. They have many different styles and fits so there is something for everyone.

When it comes to the best places for college students to find wardrobe basics, Uniqlo has to be the best store. It’s a really great place to try different looks and develop your own personal style, while not paying a fortune.

2. Converse

Converse is a classic brand that was created in the United States back in 1908. When it comes to apparel, converse has some nice shirts, backpacks and of course, they are known for their shoes.

If you’re a guy in college looking for some affordable, stylish and durable shoes, a pair of Converse is a must. In recent years, Converse have become some of the most popular shoes among college students.

The Converse brand has kept the classic style and look of their sneaker for over a hundred years. In 2015, Converse did a collaboration with high fashion brand Comme Des Garçons. which is still a very popular shoe.

It’s no secret that Converse makes some of the best shoes for college students on the market. If you’re looking for some new shoes for this upcoming school semester, check these out:

3. H&M

If you’re a college student on a budget looking for clothes at affordable prices, then H&M is the store for you. H&M stores can be found in malls all over North America. They have a great online store as well.

As a college guy looking for your wardrobe basics, H&M has it all, no matter what your body type is. Whether you’re big or small and short or tall, H&M has you covered.

Some products that are really good at H&M are the sports joggers, crewneck sweatshirts and you can never go wrong with the plain white t-shirts. All these items are very versatile and take minimal effort to wear with different outfits.

4. ZARA

When it comes to getting that preppy look on a budget, ZARA is the place to go. ZARA has a large selection of nicer clothing for college guys, such as slim suits, formal wear and modern dress shirts.

ZARA is a really good store to buy your nicer clothes. Whether it’s a bomber jacket, some new pants or a nice button up shirt, ZARA has it all.

When you’re in college, you will need some nicer clothing for presentations, internships and different school events. ZARA is the best place to get upscale looks at an affordable price.

ZARA is a European brand, so they have clothes that fits really nicely on skinny guys. As a skinny guy myself, ZARA was always the one-stop shop for me to get my nicer clothes throughout my time in college.

5. Adidas

Adidas is the second most popular sportswear brand in the world. When it comes to purchasing running shoes, shorts or other sportswear attire for college, Adidas is a great place to shop.

As a college student, Adidas was a big part of my wardrobe. Whether it was wearing an Adidas shirts, a tracksuit or the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350.

Adidas makes extremely comfortable clothing that lasts for a very long time. As a college student, there’s not much more that you can ask for!

If you’re looking for a great pair of running shoes, I would strongly recommend check out the Adidas Ultra Boosts. These shoes are the most comfortable running shoes on the market. They are great for wearing to the gym or when you are playing sports with your friends.

6. Urban Outfitters

If you’re looking for trendy fashion brands, Urban Outfitters is the best destination for you. Urban Outfitters carries the latest styles and popular brands for college students.

The clothing at Urban Outfitters can be on the pricey side. If you’re not on a tight budget, it’s a great spot to get graphic t-shirts, ripped jeans and trendy caps.

Urban Outfitters sells brands like North Face, who make super popular clothes for college students right now. They also have the best selection of graphic t-shirts and super stylish sweaters.

7. Nike

If you’re looking for sportswear, there is no better place to shop than Nike. Nike is the biggest sportswear company in the world, they make great shoes, pants and shirts.

Nike is currently one of the most popular brands in the world and you will see people wearing Nike clothes all over campus. The Nike Air Force 1’s, Nike Blazers and Nike Dunks are currently some of the most popular shoes for college students.

Every college guy should have some amount of Nike clothing in their wardrobe. It’s a great company for college guys, that makes super stylish and long lasting clothing.

Recommended: Nike Air Force 1’s

8. Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack is the best store for guys to get dress shoes, designer suits and luxury brands at discounted prices. It can be hard to find high fashion clothing on a budget. At Nordstrom Rack, they sell discounted designer clothing and you can find some really good deals.

As a college guy, getting a tailored designer suit will last you for a very long time. At Nordstrom Rack, they have a large selection of stylish brand named suits.

If you have the patience to sift through racks of clothing, you will find some really good deals. You can find some high end brands for great prices that will have you look stylish around campus.

9. Polo Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren is a great place to get polo shirts, casual shoes and other preppy clothing. Polo has been a staple in men’s style for decades and they have the reputation of making good quality clothing.

If you’re looking for clothing that has a classic look, Polo Ralph Lauren is a great place to shop at. Clothing from Polo can be a bit pricey, but the quality is well worth it. It’s one of the most recognizable brands worldwide.

I have many Polo T-shirts and sweaters because the quality is great and the clothing is very stylish. Polo makes nice clothes to wear when out on dates, going to school events or attending internships where you’re required to dress business casual.

10. Amazon

Amazon is a huge online retailer that is one of the best places for buying specific clothing items and brands. Whether it’s a simple t-shirt, short shorts or shoes, Amazon has got you covered.

If you’re like most Gen Z college students, then you probably already have an Amazon Prime account (here’s a 30-day free trial). This makes shipping so much more convenient and your items will come really quickly.

As a college guy, it can be hard to find the time to go into stores and actually shop. Ordering clothing directly to your dorm room is fast and easy.

Amazon always has sales on brands like Nike, Adidas, Nautica, Lacoste and Champion. If you like these brands look out for sales, you can find some amazing deals!

11. Champion

Champion is a brand that has made a major comeback over the last few years. Champion has a great selection of affordable clothing and is one of the best brands for college students.

Throughout my college years, I saw the rise of Champion and how popular it became among college students. The brand is so accessible. You can find Champion all over malls, at Costco and they have a great online store as well.

When it comes to affordable sportswear clothing for college guys, Champion is a really good choice.

Related: Why Champion is Worth it?

12. Levis

Levis is a popular brand that has really blown up over the past year. When it comes to denim clothing, Levis has always been one of the best stores.

If you’re looking for denim jackets, a pair of jeans or a denim shirt, Levis has got you covered. The Levis 501 jeans (see price on Amazon) are currently some of the most popular jeans for college students.

Levis is a really popular brand that has the reputation of making good quality and stylish denim products. If you’re on a budget, look out for sales at the Levis outlet stores, you can find some really good deals!

13. SHEIN

SHEIN is the biggest fast fashion brand in the world. Among college students, SHEIN is super popular because of their variety of clothing and great prices.

If you’re looking for fashion basics, then you will find everything you need at SHEIN. SHEIN is known for having amazing promotions and being able to find a ton of clothing at cheap prices.

If you’re a college student looking for some trendy shirts, pants, shorts or sweaters, then check out what SHEIN has to offer.

14. Lululemon

Lululemon is a Canadian activewear brand. Typically, Lululemon is worn among college. However, over the last few years, Lululemon has released a wide variety of clothing that looks really good on men.

The ABC joggers, classic fit bomber jacket and the pace breaker shorts are all loved by college guys. Lululemon clothing is expensive. However, the quality is amazing and the clothing will last for a very long time.

Lululemon has a great warranty on their clothing. A few months ago, a small hole appeared on my ABC Joggers. I went to Lululemon and they exchanged my old pair for a brand new pair for free.

Overall, Lululemon is a great store for college guys to shop at. It’s a great place to get some high-quality clothing that will last you throughout college.

15. New Balance

New Balance is a sportswear brand that makes some of the nicest shoes and workout clothing for college students. Right now, some of the most popular shoes among college students are New Balance sneakers.

The New Balance 550’s are shoes that have blown up among college guys. These shoes are super sought after right now and they are all over social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.

If you’re looking for workout clothing or comfortable clothing, check out what New Balance has to offer. They have a great selection of activewear pants, shorts and shirts.

Honourable Mentions:

Unfortunately, not every brand can make the list of best brands for college guys. However, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t some brands that come close and deserve some recognition!

Check out these great brands as well!

Calvin Klein
American Eagle
J. Crew
New Balance
Brooks Brothers
Karl Lagerfeld
Banana Republic
GAP
Todd Snyder
L.L Bean
Vineyard Vines

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Final Thoughts on Best Brands for College Guys

As a college guy, finding the right clothes can be tricky. In college, you are going to want to look your best, to make a good impression on your classmates and teacher.

As a recent graduate, I can’t stress how important it is to get some every day basics but also some nicer clothes for those fancy occasions.

What’s your favourite brand for college guys? Please let me know in the comments below.

One thought on “15 Best Brands for College Guys – From a Recent Graduate”

Whomever says:

May 14, 2023 at 7:08 PM

Another conclusion I’ve reached, both from reading your awesome blog and from my own daily observations: Gen Z’s are truly the only real adults left in the room…and humanity’s only hope for a good future.

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