It’s not far from true that University girls make up the list of the most stylish people in town. Every time one spots a smartly dressed young lady, their first conclusion is always that she is a ‘campuser’! At parties and social events always the girls dressed to the nines are the ones from a nearby University. Have you ever taken time to find out how they make it happen?
Do they just have a great sense of style or they have an eye for fashion? Well to say the least – partly. I’ve spent the last two weeks with two of my friends at a university I won’t mention just to figure out how they do it. It was fun seeing what students go through to look as ‘good’ as they always do.
Since part of being a ‘campuser’ is to always look fashion forward, a number of students take their time to read fashion blogs such as this one just to have their fashion game on. If you don’t have your game on, then maybe you might fall into the category of the uncool.
Campus students don’t shop from Mr Price! . There are more important things to spend on than a pricey dress at Mr Price – unless you are Amama’s daughter. It’s all about knowing what to match with what and living within your means. Just so she doesn’t lose her way to the pricey boutiques, she will frequent them just to pick up a specific item or window shop.
There are two classes. There’s the high end class of those campus students that shop from boutiques on Mabirizi and MM plaza. The prices there are fairly good. From a range of 70k to 30k for a skirt or a pair of trousers. Unfortunately these are the kinds of clothes you are going to wear and find that five other course mates are wearing them too.
The low end class is that of students who usually look their best. They always wear unique pieces in the best of colours. They take time to get their outfits from downtown. It’s only downtown where you will find a unique blazer that will be seen on no one else but you at a affordable price.
Do you know that there’s a place in town called ‘Kicampuser”! This where most university students do their shopping from. It is found just after the the old Taxi park as you are heading to Mini Price. The designer items there go for as low as 8k for a bag, 3k for tops and 7k for shoes. These are brands such as Ralph Lauren, Prada and Calvin Klein. One can end up spending less than 30k on a look that might end up on the Best dressed list.
If you get to ‘Kicampuser’ with 50k, you might have a shopping spree!
UCU students don’t like Mukono boutiques simply because they are obscenely expensive. An ordinary chiffon blouse goes for 85k. So this propels many students to trek to Kampala town for the affordable stuff.
Unlike UCU, MUBS students enjoy their stores in Nakawa which are fairly affordable. Makerere students also shop from Wandegeya and Kikoni, However on weekends when they are free, they all converge downtown to make their killing.
Talking about hair and beauty, the salons near these universities are fairly affordable. They charge a humble 30k for a simple hairdo. However the ladies in Gaza Land in town charge just 15k. As long as you buy your piece.
To avoid over spending many girls plait pieces and braids such as pencil and twist. These if taken care of can last up to 7 weeks without looking grown out. In Kikono there are ladies who do plaiting and weaving from their houses. These are hair experts that failed to find stable employment so resorted to sitting home and wait for clients. I met one who has a clientele of over 50 students and she charges each one of them just 10k.
I was told of MUBS students who keep sharing the unique pieces they have. Since they do different courses, all five girls wear one blazer in turns. They have like three Brazilian pieces in their room which they use in turns. This also works for make up as girls share make up whenever there is a shortage.
Looking good is a culture and so all of us should make it a point to try and keep up. How we do it is never important. . After all the end justifies the means. I salute all our readers from various universities, you are what we truly stand for.
Photo credit: Newvision.co.ug
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