John Lewis's student packing checklist has raised eyebrows for suggesting freshers bring 30 to 40 clothes hangers, 'consisting mostly of standard velvet or plastic hangers'. The list, shared via the student news site the Tab, also includes a £495 Marc Jacobs bag, a £399 desk, and an £80 spice rack carousel, alongside a £185 Ralph Lauren quarter-zip.
Questioning the 'essentials'
The list has been mocked on TikTok for its notion of what constitutes 'essentials' for university life. While most items are reasonable, the inclusion of Stanley cups and shower squeegees paints a picture of 'wellness-focused, sensible, hygienic youth', a reputation that may not align with the chaotic reality of student living.
Real student experiences
Reflecting on personal experience, the author notes that her elder son's student bathroom required a hazmat suit, not a shower squeegee, while her younger son's kitchen featured a 'Death-Star-sized air fryer' won at bingo. Post-graduation, surviving purchases include deflated duvets, half-melted spatulas, and singed tea towels.
The real 'door-opener' among university purchases, according to the author's son, was a kilo bag of Belgian chocolate chips, costing £18.99, which served as both social currency and a snack.
