‘Standard’ velvet hangers? There’s nothing standard about some of the items on John Lewis’s uni essentials list| Emma Beddington

The Guardian UK Monday 24 August 2026, 10:00 UTC By Emma Beddington 1 min read

Key Points

It used to be that dorm rooms were chaotically messy. Does this new generation really need an £80 spice rack and velvet clothes hangers?Of all the questions this year’s freshers may be nervously asking themselves as they prepare for this next phase – did I pick the right course?

It used to be that dorm rooms were chaotically messy. Does this new generation really need an £80 spice rack and velvet clothes hangers?

Of all the questions this year’s freshers may be nervously asking themselves as they prepare for this next phase – did I pick the right course? Will I make friends? Is uni worth 30 grand when my future job prospects may be limited to dusting a datacentre? – one is particularly pressing: “How many clothes hangers do I need to bring?”

Fret no longer, enquiring young minds: John Lewis has the answer on its packing checklist for students. Thirty to 40, it claims, wildly, “consisting mostly of standard velvet or plastic hangers”. “Standard” velvet? I missed this memo.

John Lewis’s (PERSON) Emma Beddington (PERSON) John Lewis (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

In 1996, New Zealand completed a major conservation effort with the eradication of two species of invasive rats from Kapiti Island, a 2,000-hectare nature reserve off the coast of Wellington. Official data released by the Department of Conservation (DOC) shows the removal of the introduced rodents has completely transformed the island's natural environment. The native wildlife responded almost immediately.

Times of India 15m ago

What to expect from each stage of the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28

What to expect from each stage of the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28 Here's what to expect during the 5 key stages of the "almost Blood Moon" 96% partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28. Here's what to expect during each stage of the Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse, as our planet's colossal shadow swallows 96% of the moon's surface for billions on the night side of Earth. August's lunar eclipse is the closing act of a dramatic two-part show, the opening act of which began on Aug. 12 as the...

Space.com 46m ago

Devastation, doubt and blame: Hurricane Helene looms over North Carolina’s US Senate race

The Democratic and the Republican candidate each blame the other for the bungled recovery effort after storm struck regionTwo years after North Carolina suffered the worst natural disaster in its history when Hurricane Helene struck the state’s western half, life in the hardest-hit areas appears back to normal. Downtowns are lively, blocked roads have been reopened and rivers are flowing below their banks. But the telltale evidence of the disaster’s expensive impacts can still be seen – from...

The Guardian Environment 1h ago

This is not a natural calamity: it is being done to us knowingly

Global heating is an outrage, not a tragedy. We deserve the facts about the climate crisis – I choose the Guardian because it’s one of the few places left to share them honestlyClimate campaign 2026: help us reach 30,000 acts of supportWell, there’s no getting around it now. What many of us once feared has become a reality.

The Guardian Environment 2h ago

‘Standard’ velvet hangers? There’s nothing standard about some of the items on John Lewis’s uni essentials list| Emma Beddington

Related Stories

New Zealand removes rats from island, sparking dramatic saddleback recovery

What to expect from each stage of the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28

Devastation, doubt and blame: Hurricane Helene looms over North Carolina’s US Senate race

This is not a natural calamity: it is being done to us knowingly