The *quirkiest* and least essential things on the 2026 Urban Outfitters ‘uni essentials’ list

It’s time for students to get packing for uni. To help you with this daunting task, Urban Outfitters has dropped a “UO uni essentials” list for 2026. Their recommendations are just as *edgy* and *quirky* as you’d expect. 

On the downloadable “student hub checklist“, Urban advises all young pick-mes to ensure they’ve packed their incense sticks, vinyls, tapestries and… mini waffle maker. Really.

Buy hey, if anything does take your fancy, you can maximise the 10 per cent discount for students! (Or, just sign up for emails and get 15 per cent off).

For those terrified to be basic, Urban Outfitters has curated 85 “uni must-haves” for the 2026 essentials list. Here are the strangest, least essential things on there.

Miffy XL lamp – £169.00

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

Yes, that is a 80cm tall silicone light-up Miffy. No, that is not a joke.

This £169.00 item was also on Urban Outfitters’ uni essentials list in 2025, and in 2024. Hm, I wonder why it’s still there?

My tummy hurts cushion – £35.00

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

Woah, this cushion is so quirky! I’m sure everyone you bring back to your room will be super impressed by your wit, and not at all concerned that if they stay they’re catch a stomach virus.

Harry Styles crochet kit – £16.99

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

It’s essential that I get one of these. Like, immediately.

However, if you’re heading off to uni for the first time, you may wish to prioritise bringing other stuff with you in the car (such as plates, or underwear, or common sense).

Cranes bamboo curtain – £69.00

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(Image via Urban Outfitters)

I have stared at this webpage for a solid three minutes now, and I still don’t understand how a student would hang this up in a uni room. Please, freshers, check the handbook before you start drilling.

Jelly table lamp – £89.00 (bulb not included)

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

Woah, how original! I bet nobody else on your corridor will have one like it! But that’s probably because they use lamps that don’t make them look like Elphaba, and don’t take up 374.5cm² of their bedside tables, and don’t cost a month’s food. How boring of them.

Vinyl storage rack – £22.00

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

God forbid a girl go to uni without all eight vinyl variants of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl! Your dad can carry this sparkly vinyl storage rack across the car park and up four flights of stairs for you, once he’s dealt with the the actual record player, and your six essential copies of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love.

Bearchichi keyring – £16.00

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

It‘s just so ugly. And so expensive for something that small.

Moon glitter mini Instax photo frame – £8.00

(Image via Urban Outfitters)

Why?

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