Are you wondering what brands college students are currently wearing? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! As a recent college graduate, I know first hand which brands college students are wearing to school.
Like most college students, when it comes to clothes, I had a budget and didn’t want to spend too much. However, I also wanted to wear the latest styles.
Through some trial and error, I found some clothing brands that would make me look good, while sticking to my budget.
With that being said, here are the 12 best brands for college students:
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12 Best Brands for College Students
1. H&M
When it comes to clothing brands for college students, H&M has some of the best clothes at affordable prices. H&M is a great place to get all of your wardrobe basics.
Anything from sweatpants, shorts, jeans, sweaters and shirts from H&M are a really good value as well as stylish. No matter what your style is, H&M has a lot of options for every college student.
When I was in college, I would regularly shop at H&M. The great thing about H&M, is that they carry the latest styles at affordable prices.
As a college student on a budget, H&M is a great go-to store in many malls. They have an online store as well, which makes it convenient to shop for clothes at home.
Related: 12 Best Sustainable Clothing Brands For College Students in 2024
2. Amazon
If you’re a college student, then you’ve definitely ordered a ton of products off of Amazon before. Whether it’s college desk essentials, books or cheap iPad accessories, they’ve got it all!
However, I started to buy a lot of my clothing and shoes from Amazon as well. Amazon has plenty of name brand and Amazon Basic options at reasonable prices.
On Amazon you can get amazing deals on brands like Converse, Nike, Adidas, Champion and more. Throughout my time in college, I’ve gotten some really good deals on clothing from Amazon.
Amazon is loved by Gen Z college students, as the shipping is fast and they often have the best pricing on clothing.
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3. Nike
Nike is an extremely popular brand among college students. Currently, the most popular shoes for college students are Nike shoes.
The Air Force 1, Nike Blazer, Nike Dunks and Air Jordan’s are seen all over college campuses. Nike is the biggest sportswear brand in the world because they make stylish clothing that lasts for a long time.
Whether you’re looking for a new pair of shoes or some athletic clothing, Nike is a great store to shop at.
If you’re on a budget, check out the Nike outlet stores. At the Nike outlets you will find great deals on clothing and shoes.
Related: 15 Best Shoes for College Students (for Girls and Guys)
4. SHEIN
It’s no secret that SHEIN has become super popular, thanks to social media. Over the last few years, content creators have been showing off the great deals they get on SHEIN.
If you’re not familiar with SHEIN, SHEIN is an online store that has plenty of clothing options for both guys and girls. The best thing about SHEIN is the amount of stylish clothes you can get for extremely low prices.
Recently, I ordered some clothing to see if the hype was real, and I was not disappointed! Not only were the clothes stylish and but I got tons of compliments.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the quality of the clothing. I figured since the clothing was so cheap that it would lack in quality, but the clothes I ordered is actually super comfortable.
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5. Uniqlo
Uniqlo is the third biggest fast fashion brand in the world and it’s rapidly growing. When it comes to getting your fashion basics, Uniqlo is a great place to shop.
The clothing is a bit pricier than H&M, but there is a clear difference in quality. Uniqlo is a Japanese brand, so the styles tend to be a little different.
I first discovered Uniqlo a few years back, and over the last few years it has grown so much. As Uniqlo has gotten bigger, they clearly have made an impact on the current styles that college students are wearing around campus today.
6. Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack is a great place to find designer clothing for low prices. As a guy who likes to wear brand names and designers, Nordstrom Rack is a fantastic place to shop.
If you have the patience to sift through racks of clothing, then I would really recommend checking out Nordstrom Rack. Sometimes you can find some really great deals on designer brand clothing.
Nordstrom Rack carries shoes, bags, clothing and accessories so if you’re trying to level up your wardrobe, go check out Nordstrom Rack.
Related: Is it Worth Buying Designer? Clothes, Bags & Accessories
7. Adidas
In recent years, Adidas has become one of the top brands for athletic clothing. Through collaborations with celebrities like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Jonah Hill, Adidas has become super popular.
Adidas is known for making good quality, comfortable and long lasting clothing. Around college campuses, many students are wearing Yeezy’s, Stan Smith’s and Ultraboosts.
Just like Nike, Adidas also has outlet stores where you can find some really sweet deals. If you’re looking for some sportswear, go check out the Adidas store.
8. PacSun
PacSun carries the latest trends and popular clothing brands for college students. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, Pacsun has some really cool clothing that is worn by students all over college campuses.
PacSun carries brands like Essentials, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Vans, Dr Martens and more. If you’re looking to add some brand names to your wardrobe, Pacsun is a great place to shop.
Look out for some great deals on shirts, shoes and jeans at PacSun. Oftentimes, PacSun has some really sweet promotions and you can find nice clothes at affordable prices.
9. Target
One of the best stores any college student can shop at for clothing is Target. This might come as a surprise, however Target has some great clothes that is super affordable.
If you like graphic t-shirts, jeans or shorts, Target has some terrific options for you. Target is a great place to get all your wardrobe basics and you can make some really stylish outfits with their clothing.
10. Zara
If you like wearing new styles and looking stylish at school, Zara is a great store and brand. Zara is a European brand that carries European styles which looks very sharp and classy.
At Zara you’ll find very nice blazers, pants, bomber jackets, jeans and shirts. If you’re looking to make a good impression on your classmates and teachers, Zara is a great store to shop at.
11. Champion
Champion has become one of the best brands for trendy clothes and affordable fashion. On campus, college guys and girls are wearing Champion as it is comfortable, inexpensive and a really popular brands.
The great thing about Champion is that they have a large selection of clothing items. Whether you want a hat, shirts, sweaters, sweatpants or accessories, Champion has something for everyone.
Recommended Champion Products:
12. Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters is a great store to shop for different styles and casual clothes that can be worn to college. Urban Outfitters is similar to PacSun, in the sense that it carries different trendy brands, that are popular among Gen Z.
As a college student, you are going to want to have some clothes to wear to parties and when you’re hanging out with friends. Urban Outfitters is a great place to get stylish clothes that can be worn on those occasions.
Clothing such as ripped jeans, joggers, graphic t-shirts and sweaters can all be found at Urban Outfitters.
Honourable Mentions:
- American Eagle
- Missguided
- Lululemon
- North Face
- Old Navy
- Nasty Gal
- New Balance
- Banana Republic
- Polo Ralph Lauren
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Final Thoughts on The Best Brands for College Students
As a college student, dressing stylish on a budget can be challenging. I shopped at the stores mentioned above throughout my time in college and I was always comfortable, stylish and able to stick to my budget.
In this post we went over the best brands for college students, so you can dress with comfort, style, and at affordable prices.
What’s your favorite store or clothing brand as a college student? Please let me know in the comments below.