Rouen University Students' Fashion: A Snapshot

Rouen, France, is known for its heritage, culture, sports activities, and dynamic economic hub. The University of Rouen Normandy (URN) has over 32,000 students and is located just an hour and a half from Paris by train. The university is involved in regional teaching and research clusters and promotes interregional research activities. The Greater Rouen area is a great place for students to live, with a wealth of heritage, culture, and sports activities. When it comes to fashion, French students generally dress up more for their day-to-day lives compared to their American counterparts. They tend to avoid athletic wear and athleisure unless they are working out. Instead, they opt for nicer clothes, with a focus on classic, neutral colours, and simple, elegant pieces. Dark jeans, leather boots, and cardigans are popular choices. Accessories such as scarves, earrings, and necklaces are also common. While comfort is important, flats and boots are preferred over sneakers, which are usually only worn when working out.

Rouen university students avoid wearing sweatpants and athletic wear in public

In France, society has stronger ideas about what is and is not appropriate to wear based on the situation. While it is common to see students in the United States dress in leggings, sweatpants, yoga pants, and hoodies on college campuses, this type of casual loungewear is not worn in public in France. Even if you are just running a quick errand, it is important to be fully dressed in "real" clothes or you may get some strange looks.

French college students tend to wear classic pieces in neutral colours such as black, brown, beige, and grey. Jeans are also common, but usually in darker washes and slim or skinny fits. The French tend to shy away from bright colours and patterns. Wearing black or grey will make you look more French, while bright colours like hot pink and bright blue can instantly label you as an American.

When it comes to shoes, tennis shoes and athletic shoes are only worn when working out in France. Wearing sneakers, especially white ones, will instantly label you as a tourist. The one exception to this is Converse All-Stars, which are quite popular with college students. For girls, a pair of boots will go well with skinny pants and dresses.

They opt for real clothes, even when running errands

French fashion is renowned, and the French are known for their sense of style. There are some fashion myths, however, such as the stereotype of striped shirts and berets. While fashion in the United States is viewed as a personal choice, in France, societal expectations about what is and is not appropriate to wear in a given situation are more rigid. For example, it is not uncommon for a French person to comment on another's attire, such as stating that flip-flops should only be worn at the beach. This may seem rude, but it is often meant to help the other person understand the French mindset regarding fashion.

French college students generally avoid wearing casual loungewear in public, even when running errands. This includes leggings, sweatpants, or yoga pants for women, and hoodies for men. Instead, they opt for "real" clothes. Even a quick trip to the boulangerie requires leaving the house fully dressed.

French people also tend to wear more clothing than Americans. In summer, it is uncommon to see people in France wearing shorts or strappy tank tops unless they are at the beach. Sweaters and scarves are worn even during the warmer months.

When packing for a trip to Rouen, France, it is recommended to bring clothes in neutral colours such as black, brown, beige, and grey. Classic pieces like nice pants or skirts, simple dresses, cardigans, pullover sweaters, and collared shirts are a good choice. Jeans are also common among French college students, but it is best to stick with darker washes and slim or skinny fits. Packing basics with dark or neutral colours will allow you to mix and match pieces easily, and these colours will also help you blend in, as the French tend to shy away from bright colours and patterns.

Accessories can add a stylish touch to your outfits. The French love scarves, so you can pick up a few upon your arrival to tie your ensembles together. Earrings and necklaces are also easy ways to dress up an outfit, and they don't take up much space in your suitcase.

When it comes to footwear, it is important to note that tennis shoes and athletic shoes are usually only worn when working out in France. Wearing sneakers, especially white ones, will instantly label you as a tourist. The one exception is Converse All-Stars, which are quite popular with college students. For women, a pair of boots will go well with skinny pants and dresses.

They wear more clothing than students in the US, even in summer

University students in Rouen, France, tend to wear more clothing than students in the US, even in summer. While US students often wear leggings, sweatpants, or yoga pants, you won't see French students in such casual loungewear. Even if they're just popping out to the boulangerie, French students will be wearing "real" clothes.

In the US, when the sun comes out, students will often be found sunbathing on campus. In France, however, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sweaters and scarves even in the summer months. You're unlikely to see French women in strappy tank tops or dresses or men in shorts, unless you're at the beach.

French students tend to avoid bright colours and patterns. They generally stick to dark or neutral colours, such as black, brown, beige, and grey. Jeans are common, but usually in darker washes and slim or skinny fits.

French students also tend to avoid sneakers, with the exception of Converse All-Stars, which are popular. For girls, a pair of boots will go with both skinny pants and dresses.

So, if you're heading to Rouen as a student, be sure to pack accordingly. You'll want to leave the sweatpants and leggings at home and opt for some smarter, more neutral outfits.

They avoid bright colours and patterns, favouring dark neutrals

French fashion is known for being relatively understated and neutral, and university students in Rouen, France, are no exception to this. While there is no one way that university students in Rouen dress, there are some common trends that can be observed.

Rouen university students tend to avoid bright colours and patterns, instead favouring dark neutrals such as black, brown, beige, and grey. This may be because dark neutrals are considered classic, elegant, and versatile colours in French fashion. By sticking to these colours, students can easily mix and match their clothing items to create a variety of outfits. Dark neutrals are also a good way to blend in and avoid standing out as a tourist.

For instance, a typical outfit for a Rouen university student during the winter might consist of skinny, dark jeans tucked into flat leather boots. This outfit could be paired with layered tops, such as a simple V-neck shirt with a cardigan or pullover sweater. To add a bit of interest and style to the outfit, a scarf, hat, or gloves could be added as accessories.

During the warmer months, Rouen university students might opt for transition pieces that can be layered, such as structured blazers and leather jackets. Skirts and dresses are also popular choices for female students during the spring and summer. When it comes to footwear, ballet flats are a good option for both style and comfort, and they can be easily dressed up or down.

While Rouen university students generally avoid bright colours and patterns in their clothing, they may add a pop of colour through their accessories. For example, a bright-coloured scarf or piece of jewellery can add interest to an otherwise neutral outfit. Overall, the key to dressing like a Rouen university student is to keep it simple, elegant, and understated, with a focus on dark neutrals and classic pieces.

They wear scarves, cardigans, and hats and gloves in winter

When the temperature drops, university students in Rouen, France, wrap up warm in scarves, cardigans, hats, and gloves. Skinny, dark jeans tucked into durable, flat leather boots are a popular base for an outfit, with students accessorising based on the temperature. Cardigans are a staple in France, and students will often layer up with a few simple tops and a cardigan.

French students rarely wear athletic or athleisure clothing unless they are exercising. Instead, they tend to opt for classic pieces in neutral colours, such as black, brown, beige, and grey. Students in Rouen are likely to be wearing nice pants, skirts, simple dresses, cardigans, pullover sweaters, and collared shirts. Jeans are also common, but usually in darker washes and slim or skinny fits.

French students love their scarves, so it's a good idea to pack a few to tie outfits together. In the winter, students will often wear big scarves, and they are also fond of hats and gloves. To fit in with the locals, it's best to avoid wearing sweatpants or leggings, and instead opt for smarter, more formal attire.

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