University and campus outfits that are easy to live in

Outfits that work

• Short kurta with jeans or straight trousers: the easiest campus outfit. A hip or thigh-length kurta in cotton or cambric looks put together without trying. See peplum tops and short kurtis.
• The co-ord: kurta and wide or straight trousers in the same fabric, so there is only one decision in the morning. Our co-ord sets guide covers shapes and fabrics.
• A long shirt or tunic: a collared, buttoned tunic over slim trousers or jeans, which works as well in a seminar as on a placement.
• A simple shirt dress, or a skirt and top: Western pieces cut to your measurements, useful if ready-made lengths never suit you. See made-to-measure Western dresses.
• Knit layers: a plain cardigan, jumper or hoodie over a short kurta handles cold lecture halls.

Details worth asking for

• Pockets: in the kurta and the trousers, for a phone, a student card and keys. See adding pockets to kurtas.
• Sleeves that roll: three-quarter sleeves, or full sleeves with a cuff or slit, stay out of the way in labs and art studios.
• Sensible lengths: a kurta you can sit cross-legged and climb stairs in, with side slits that let you move.
• Comfortable waistbands: full elastic, or an elastic back with a flat front, for long days sitting down.
• Washable fabrics: cotton, cambric, lawn and dobby cope with shared machines far better than chiffon or embellished pieces.

A term’s wardrobe on a student budget

Students rarely need many outfits; they need several that mix. Pick a small colour palette, such as navy, white and one accent colour, and have two or three kurtas stitched to go with the same trousers and jeans. Printed kurtas with plain trousers go furthest, and our guide to pairing printed and plain pieces explains how.

The quote form has an optional budget field, which helps us suggest fabric and finishing to match. Already own suits from home that feel too formal for campus? A local tailor can often shorten a long kameez into a kurta or give it simpler sleeves, and our restyling guide has ideas.

Ordering before term starts

Term dates are fixed, so give yourself time. Send your fabric details, or choose Fabric + Stitching so we supply the fabric, a good while before you leave home, and put the date you want the outfits by on the form. Timing is confirmed in your written quote.

If you are studying away from home, the outfits can be sent to your term address, provided it is in the UK, Europe or the USA; tell us where when you ask for a quote. Some labs and workshops have rules about loose sleeves or trailing scarves, and a fitted cuff or a scarf that tucks away is easy to plan for when an outfit is made to measure. Our work and campus page has more ideas.