How to dress for DBE

Don’t leave the house without doing this


Almost half the year has gone and you may have realised that DBE is slightly different to the standard cheesefest nights at the union.

If you want to save the embarrassment of every shuffling, hipster wannabe laughing at you as you walk past in your catwalk-worthy Victoria Beckham inspired outfit, follow this step by step guide on what to wear to your first DBE.

Trust us, you’ll fit right in.

Hair

Girls

The dirtier the better. In order to achieve the ultimate chilled “I wish I was an extra on Clueless” type of look, fashion your locks into a scrunchie, Miley buns or French braids – these will ensure that strands of hair won’t be plastered to your face when fan-girling at the front of PBR Streetgang.

Boys

Your lid should be top-knotted, corn rowed or shaved. You don’t want to fall into the generic, Joey Essex lookalikes that you would see taking selfies with their bottles of Grey Goose, so ensure that you make your hair look like some sort of gang affiliation symbol.

If you are too afraid to start braiding or shaving your head, opt for the timeless classic: the bucket hat. Something that your uncle would wear on a fishing trip will do just fine.

Clothing

Girls

Dresses, fake tan and heels are a no go, as Amy Childs wouldn’t be caught dead at something as wavey as DBE. Embrace your inner shuffler by fashioning a crop top with a shell suit or bomber jacket thrown over the top. Any excuse to show off your belly button piercing that you got done in Thailand over summer.

Leggings or tight jeans will sort you out down below – as long as they’re black or in some weird, psychedelic pattern you’ll be on the money.

Boys

If you’re from Elvyn, you can whack on some spray, skinny jeans and a long line tee from Urban Outfitters. Or you can go all Outlook Festival with a shell suit done all the way up to the top and some baggy chino shorts.

If you’re the sweaty type, who enjoys a skank with a group of random people in the dark corners of Room 1, opt for a vest instead but make sure you’re dench enough to pull it off.

Shoes

The type of shoes you’d wear for DBE are pretty much gender neutral, so any type of trainer will do. Nike, Rebook and Adidas are the preferred brands as they’ll provide you with the optimum room for shuffling. Make sure they’re scuffed beforehand.

DBE shoes have to be pretty dishevelled and scruffy, as this means you would have had them for a prolonged period of time, suggesting that you have been a die-hard hipster for a while.

Accessories 

Girls

Hoops are preferred over studs because they’re more ghetto than middle class. Clutch bags are a massive no-go at this event as you’re likely to throw it into a pit of freshers attempting to mosh. To avoid this bag fatality, bring out the bum bag that you got on your trip to Disney in 2005 – it’ll be the perfect size for you to keep all your necessities.

Boys

No male DBE goer’s outfit is complete without a pack of Rizzla and some baccy. Even if you don’t smoke, it is vital for meeting friends and getting away from the sweatbox inside.