Olivia Taylor
Edited by Lucy Kaskie
Wondering what to wear for Frosh? McGill’s freshmen orientation is an exciting time of first impressions, so feeling your best is a must. With first impressions comes the chance to exhibit your personal style–but this can be a challenge when you’re wearing the same required t-shirt every day and sweltering in Montreal’s muggy August heat. This is why, as a Frosh enthusiast myself, I’ve compiled a Frosh style guide to share all of my best tips.
Shoes
Since you will constantly be on your feet during Frosh, comfortable footwear is key. Opt for a pair of sneakers like the New Balance Made in USA 990v4. They provide an ideal compromise between comfort and style, showcasing both versatility and durability.
They can be found at New Balance for $284.99.
Or consider wearing darker shoes for Frosh, as your shoes run a serious risk of getting dirty amidst the chaos. Leave your white tennis shoes at home and wear one of Bella Hadid’s go-to sneakers, the black Adidas Samba. Perfect for a casual yet on-trend look.
They can be found at Adidas for $130.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are my favourite way to accessorize an outfit for Frosh. Not only are they practical on sunny days, but they’re a great conversation starter.
Lean into sport-mode for Frosh’s Boat Day with a pair of Pit Vipers. They come in every colour-way imaginable, which is perfect if you want to coordinate with your friends and all wear different pairs.
Find them at Pit Viper for $89.69.
If sport glasses are not your thing, maybe channeling some Y2K glam is more your vibe.
Tip: Look for ones without dark lenses. This way if you want to wear your glasses at night events, you’ll still be able to see through them.
Urban Outfitters is a great place to buy affordable accessories like sunglasses! I recommend their Cher Butterfly Shield Sunglasses.
Find them at Urban Outfitters for $20.
Bottoms
Shorts are most likely to keep you comfortable in the Frosh heat. Even if the temperature is cool outside, it will still be warm in event venues and un-airconditioned student apartments. A pair of cut-off jean shorts is a timeless and versatile look. They’re easy to find in all colours, shapes, and sizes, and are a great item to thrift. If you’re in Montreal, check out thrift stores like Eva B and Marché Floh.
I love the 501 High Rise Women’s Shorts at Levi’s in Justin’s Girl for their classic look and distressed detailing on the hem.
You can get them on Levi’s for $88.
Otherwise, parachute pants are casual-cool and look great with your Frosh tee. Try sizing up so they sit comfortably on your hips. I recommend the TNA oversized Squad Pocket Parachute Pant.
Find them at Aritzia for $128.
How to wear your Frosh shirt
Picture this: After forty-five minutes of waiting at the registration tent, you finally get your hands on your Frosh tee. At first, you’re excited, but it slowly dawns on you that you will be wearing the same awkwardly-fitting, heavy cotton t-shirt for the next five days. If you’re a Froshie, the shirt will be white and therefore not sweat stain friendly.
Fear not! This is all part of the Frosh experience, and there are ways to make your Frosh shirt much more flattering and much more fun. If you’re afraid of sweat stains, or just want to show off your arms, cut off the sleeves to make a tank. Cropping the shirt is another classic way to quickly make it complimentary to your style.
Tip: You can always cut more off, but you cannot undo what has been cut!
Up next, grab a Sharpie and go to town. Everyone writes their name on the front of their shirt when Frosh begins, but it doesn’t have to end there. Doodles and signatures are a great way to cover up inevitable beer and ketchup stains that you don’t have time to wash out between Frosh events.
You are allowed to customize your Frosh shirt in any way you want, as long as you don’t cut off any writing on the front or back, or change its colour. So, get creative!
What if it rains?
Most Frosh events run rain-or-shine, so you should be prepared to party no matter the weather. In my experience, bringing an umbrella is unrealistic because you’ll inevitably leave it at the first stop of the bar crawl and never see it again. A raincoat is much easier to wear and keep track of. Pick up on the gorpcore trend with the Arcteryx Beta LT Jacket. This jacket is sure to come in handy again on rainy fall days to come.
You can find it at Arcteryx for $550.
For a more affordable option, Decathlon has high quality jackets for much lower prices. I recommend their Hiking Waterproof Jacket, notable for its zipper pockets, lightweight packability, and great price.
You can find it at Decathelon for $20.
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