The One Thing No One Will Tell You To Take To University

A Level Results are in, and whether you got your first choice university or were temporarily in educational purgatory whilst going through clearing, you now know where you’re headed. You are inundated with a wealth of advice on what to take to uni, recommendations to ‘keep your bedroom door open’ during the first few days in halls, and panic searching TSR for the nitty gritty insider info about your impending halls of residence/classes/what the typical student wears at your respective university.

It stems from a desire to fit in. Every fresher wants to get off on the right foot so that they can have the best possible start to an unforgettable, mind-bogglingly incredible few years at university. The key is preparation. There is one, seemingly inconsequential item which no one will advise you to pack in your already overflowing suitcase but which is undeniably necessary: a ball gown.

There will be opening/freshers’ balls, sports’ balls, Christmas balls, summer balls, end of year balls, society balls, and ‘any other reason you can think of for having one’ balls. The dress requirements can range from cocktail dresses (sports’ balls) to formal ball gowns (Christmas ball). The frequency and formality of balls will vary depending on which university you’re off to, but taking at least one semi-formal and one formal dress with you will avoid any last minute sartorial scrambling. Of course if your old prom dress is still your style and fits you well, then take it. If you've changed a lot and feel like breathing new life into your formalwear, then here are my picks for a variety of budgets.

Green, Pink, Cream

Black/Gold Maxi, Gold Short, Drop hem

Colour Block Maxi, Turquoise Short, T-shirt Maxi

Good luck at university, you'll have a ball!