Archives September 2022

You might be forgiven for thinking that a student wardrobe consists of t-shirts and jeans or joggers, perhaps in a raft of different colours, and nothing else. However, with a little imagination and forward thinking, fashion-savvy students can branch out into other looks to help them stand out on campus. There is a huge range of styles, designs, colours and fabrics available when it comes for choosing shirts for students in time for when the new term starts in a few weeks.

So, why should you pack some button-up shirts in your college or university bags, when you can just pull on a t-shirt and be ready to go? Here are a few reasons.

Why shirts for students are a must-wear

A shirt with buttons will always come in handy on campus. There will be formal events, such as welcome receptions, student balls and dances, mock interviews and more that will require a more sophisticated s. You may also receive visits from external speakers representing companies that you may be interested in approaching for work one day. Dressing smartly for this type of networking always helps you to stand out and make the right impression from the word ‘go’.

Speaking of which, you may also want to consider making more of an effort if you are keen to impress any fellow students who have caught your eye with your sartorial knowledge and prowess. Either way, you may love your collection of faded band t-shirts, but there is no harm in ringing the changes from time to time with a button-up shirt. Worn over a t-shirt and jeans, it also adds a welcome later of warmth as late summer gives way to autumn and then winter. Saves you having to take a jumper or coat with you, too.

Choosing the right student shirts

The good news is that there is a huge range of shirts our there for students wanting to include a few in their term-time wardrobe. The main decisions that you need to take when considering which shirt is right for you centre around the material, style/fit, colour and design. Different materials offer different benefits. Cottons and natural fabrics tend to be more breathable and moisture-wicking, which make them very comfortable and easy to wear. They are also more sustainable than synthetics, often being biodegradable and more durable. On the other hand, synthetics materials are easier to care for and wash as they don’t shrink or wrinkle as much as organic alternatives.

Next, the style is important to consider. Do you prefer a formal style or keeping things more casual? Do you look better in a shirt with or without a collar? Buttoned cuffs or cuff links? Will you suit a fitted, tailored style or a more regular fit? Ask your friends and family for their honest opinion about the style of student shirt that suits you best. Finally, think about the colours and patterns or designs that you prefer and that will work well., Neutral colours will allow you to wear your shirts with more accessories and types of jeans, joggers or trousers. Patterns can help you make a statement and could work in your favour during the first few weeks of term when people are trying to remember each other’s names and decipher their personalities.

Caring for your student shirts

Whatever you choose to wear as a student, it is never too early to learn how to care for your clothes properly. Not only will this make them look better on your body, it will keep them looking new and looked after for longer. Look for easy-care fabrics to start with, including non-iron options. Always follow washing instructions carefully and never wash natural fabrics on too hot a setting or you risk them shrinking, fading or becoming damaged in another way.

Pack some coat hangers to hang your shirts up properly in your wardrobe. This stops them creasing up, which can be really annoying, especially if you have actually made the effort to iron them and want them to stay looking good. You can also use them to hang your shirts in the bathroom while you shower or wash, as the steam from the hot water can help natural-fibre shirts stay smart and smooth for longer.

Is your garden ready for Autumn? Autumn is here and with it comes the cooler weather, increased rainfall and first signs of the leaves changing in the trees and shrubs from greens to reds, browns and golds. After such a warm summer, the change in temperatures and weather will be welcomed by many. However, this also means changes in the types of tasks that creep onto the domestic to-do-list.

Autumn in the garden

In the garden, the jobs certainly change at this time of year. September and October are the ideal months to update planting plans, tidy borders and clear debris from the lawn. Also, to make sure that gardening tools are all in good working order. After all, you will thank yourself in the spring if you pay the garden some attention now. Here are some more autumn gardening tips to help you make the most of the colourful season.

Garden ready for autumn: Look after the lawn

Grass growth does slow in the autumn and winter. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should place your mower in mothballs just yet. Now is a good time to give the grass a final going over. This prevents it from remaining too long and straggly when the autumn rain comes to waterlog the ground, followed by winter frosts. Shorter grass is also easier when it comes to raking fallen leaves away later on in the season. Rake out any moss and thatch to improve drainage further. Finally, feed your lawn afterwards with a specialist autumn lawn food for healthier grass next spring.

Garden ready for autumn: Check your tools

Now is also the time to cast an eye over your gardening tools and appliances. The frantic gardening activity of summer has passed, and the weather is not at its coldest yet. Clean your tools and dry them carefully. Check for damage and replace anything that is beyond repair. If your hosepipes are knotted up or contain annoying kinks, buy a set of Kinkouts now too. That way, you will be ready for watering the garden again when spring returns. You can prolong the life of your hosepipe this way, rather than having to buy a new one.

Garden ready for autumn: Plant for spring

September is the ideal month to plant many spring-flowering bulbs, although some can also be planted later on in the autumn too. Check planting instructions and choose the right spot for them to thrive. Water them well – again, checking the hosepipe for kinks and knots first. Tidy the borders around the bulbs too, clearing fallen leaves and fruit and clearing old foliage. This allows what sunshine there is to hit to soil and keep it warmer for the bulbs underneath.

Garden ready for autumn: Maintenance matters

Check all around the garden for other signs of damage or disrepair. Check fences, drainpipes, gutters, paths, gates and bird feeders. Clean the greenhouse glass panels so that as much light as possible can filter inside. Bring furniture indoors if you can, as well as terracotta pots and other delicate items or plants. Do this now, before the really cold weather sets in and you no longer fancy working outside.

Garden ready for autumn: Reuse and recycle in the garden

Add fallen leaves to a mesh bin, sprinkle with water occasionally and leave them turn into a mulch. The process takes around two years to complete, but you will be left with a nutrient rich mulch for spreading around the soil to feed the roots of plants and shrubs. Keep an eye on the compost bin. If the contents are ready to use, spread onto the vegetable garden or around the garden. Autumn is a great time to start a compost patch. This is due to the increased organic matter produced from vegetable peelings, deadheaded flowers and fallen leaves etc.. Finally, use broken pieces of terracotta plant pots as drainage aids in the bottom of whole ones, rather than throwing them away.

Garden ready for autumn: Add interest

Plant hardy evergreens to fill in any gaps caused by deciduous species losing their leaves, or annual plants dying away. Ornamental grasses can look stunning too placed in an autumn garden. Clean up any old, dirty garden ornaments, or invest in some new ones, again to add interest and provide focal points around the garden. Keep the bird feeder topped up to attract winged visitors to your garden ready for Autumn in the month of September and October. This will not only add interest for you, but valuable food for the birds in more challenging weather conditions. Do some research into autumn and winter flowering plants too. Some plants re known for their vibrant autumnal leaves and interesting shapes just as much, if not, more, than their summertime blooms.