Table of Contents
- What You Need to Know
- Step-by-Step Guide
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pro Tips from the Community
- Recommended Gear and Products
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need to Know
The summer before my freshman year, I remember sitting on my bedroom floor surrounded by half-empty boxes, trying to decide which tees would make the cut. My favorite creator merch came along because it felt like a piece of home. Years later, as a merch designer who's printed thousands of tees, I've learned that move-in day is the perfect time to break out your favorite pieces - they're durable, comfortable, and they start conversations. If you're heading to campus this August, bring your Addison Rae move-in day merch and put it to work.
In this guide, you'll learn how to pick the right hoodie weight for late-summer heat, how to layer a tee under a crewneck so you can move freely, and which accessories keep your keys and phone within reach. You don't need a full closet of new clothes - just a few versatile pieces that work from unloading the car to your first dorm-floor dinner.
These tips are designed for first-year students, transfers, and anyone who wants to feel like themselves on a chaotic day. I've used them in my own dorm move and in helping friends pack for theirs, and they hold up whether you're hauling boxes up two flights or rolling in with a packed SUV.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here's the sequence I recommend, based on how moves actually go: you're hot, you're lifting, and you're meeting a hundred new people. These steps keep you comfortable and leave your merch looking sharp.
Step 1: Check the Weather and Pick a Lightweight Layer
August move-in days in most of the U.S. hover in the mid-80s, so skip the heavyweight fleece until evening. A 4.3 oz ring-spun cotton tee is light enough to wear while you lift boxes, and soft enough not to chafe under backpack straps. If your dorm gets chilly at night, pack a hoodie in your tote rather than wearing it from the start.
Pro tip: Choose a piece with a relaxed, boxy cut. Tight tops restrict your arms when you're reaching to the top shelf of a closet.
Step 2: Pack Your Merch Where You Can Reach It
Your hoodie and a spare tee should go in your personal bag, not in the bin that gets buried under the bed. You'll want the comfort item on hand when the chaos hits.
I've seen students lose a favorite pullover for two weeks because it ended up in a storage bin that went to the parents' car. Keep your merch in a separate tote with your chargers and water bottle.
Step 3: Layer a Tee Under a Crewneck for Campus Comfort
This is the move I recommend to every client: a graphic tee under an open crewneck. If you heat up, the crewneck ties around your waist and the tee carries the look. If the dorm is cold at 7 a.m., you're covered.
The Addison Rae Vintage Tee from the store has a boxy fit that won't bunch under a hoodie. Crewneck sweatshirts with a double-lined hood add extra warmth without feeling stiff.
Step 4: Use Your Hoodie as a Cushion for Boxes
When you're hauling a box up three flights of stairs, the straps dig into your shoulders. A heavyweight hoodie at 7.75 oz, like the Addison Rae Cloud Hoodie, provides a soft buffer between the strap and your skin. Pull the hood up if the sun is beating down - the extra layer cuts glare and protects your neck.
Common mistake? Don't wear a brand-new white hoodie for the haul. Cardboard scuffs show up fast, and some scuffs don't wash out completely.
Step 5: Add One Hands-Free Accessory
Keep your phone, lanyard, and keys in a small crossbody bag or a fanny pack worn across the chest. This is the move-in day trick that saves the most time because you never have to set down a box to dig through a pocket.
A tote bag also works if you'd rather carry everything at once, but make sure it has a zipper so small items don't fall out when you set it down.
Step 6: Wash Before You Wear It if You Can
If your merch arrived fresh from the printer, wash it once before move-in. Direct-to-garment prints last longer when you wash inside out in cold water and hang dry. Heat is what causes cracking, so avoid the dryer for the first few washes.
If you can't wash before you leave, at least shake out the hoodie and hang it in the bathroom while you shower - the steam helps relax fold lines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the move-in merch mistakes I see most often, from years of watching fans wear their favorite pieces all day.
- Wearing a brand-new hoodie without washing it first. New DTG prints can have excess dye that transfers to a white backpack or a cream-colored tote. Wash in cold water with a color catcher, then air dry.
- Choosing a tight-fitting tee for a day of lifting. A snug shirt restricts movement and ends up stuck to your back by the time you're done. Go a size up or pick a relaxed fit.
- Forgetting that your hoodie will sit in a hot car. Folded merch left in a packed car can develop deep creases that are hard to fix. Keep your hoodie on top of the pile or in a bag you carry in.
- Only packing for daytime. Evening temperatures in dorms can drop by 15 degrees, and you'll want that hoodie at dinner. Don't leave it packed at the bottom of a plastic bin.
The good news is that most of these are easy to avoid with a few minutes of planning before you leave.
Pro Tips from the Community
These tips come from fans and from artists I know in the merch space. They're the tricks that only show up after you've lived through a few moves.
- Print placement matters more than people think. If you'll wear a backpack all day, choose a design on the chest rather than the back. Back prints get rubbed and faded by backpack straps.
- Layering a light cardigan over a fan hoodie gives you the same warmth with more movement. The community's favorite move for late-summer evenings is an oversized hoodie with the sleeves pushed up - it reads intentional and keeps your hands free.
- Keep a patch or a pin from your favorite design in your backpack. The Addison Rae Merch Store carries a small pin set that clips onto any lanyard. It's a small way to feel at home on a day full of introductions.
- If you're moving into a no-AC building, hang your hoodie near a fan for 20 minutes before you head to dinner. The airflow smooths out fold lines and keeps the fabric from smelling musty.
If you're new to fan merch, start with one smaller accent like a pin or a keychain. It's easier to test what you actually reach for before committing to a full hoodie.
Recommended Gear and Products
The Addison Rae Merch Store curates a small collection of fan-favorite pieces that work hard during move-in. Here are the three I'd grab first.
- Addison Rae Cloud Hoodie: A brushed fleece pullover with a soft interior that takes the edge off heavy boxes. The double-lined hood provides extra neck coverage, and the relaxed fit gives you room to layer a tee underneath. Sized from S to 2X.
- Addison Rae Vintage Tee: This ring-spun cotton tee has a vintage wash that softens the fabric without weakening the print. The boxy cut sits nicely under a crewneck or worn on its own with biker shorts.
- Addison Rae Roll-Top Tote: A canvas tote with a zipper top, sized to fit a water bottle, a spare hoodie, and your chargers. Use it as your move-in carry-on and then repurpose it for holding snacks in the dorm.
All three pieces use designs inspired by Addison's signature aesthetic, and the cotton blends hold up to repeated washing.
Key Takeaways
- Pick a lightweight cotton tee for the daytime haul, and save your heavyweight hoodie for evening.
- Layer a tee under a crewneck so you can adapt to temperature changes without carrying extra clothes.
- Wash new DTG merch inside out in cold water and hang dry to preserve the print.
- Keep crucial items like keys and phone in a hands-free crossbody bag during move-in.
- Order your merch at least 2-3 weeks before your move-in date to account for shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the questions I get most often about wearing and styling Addison Rae merchandise, especially around move-in season.
Can I bring Addison Rae merch to a college move-in if I'm not a superfan?
Sure. The designs are comfortable and fashionable on their own, so you don't need to know every lyric. Treat them like any casual graphic tee or hoodie, and they'll work with jeans, joggers, or biker shorts.
Is the Addison Rae Merch Store officially affiliated with Addison Rae?
No. This is a curated fan store with designs inspired by her style and career. It is not endorsed, sponsored, or sold by Addison Rae or her team. If you want official products, check Addison's own channels.
How do I keep the print from cracking?
Wash new DTG merch inside out in cold water, skip the dryer, and hang or lay flat to dry. Heat is the main cause of cracking, so use a warm iron only on the back or use a steamer. Avoid folding the print when you store it.
What size hoodie should I order for an oversized look?
Most fan hoodies in the store use unisex sizing with a relaxed fit. If you want a silhouette like Addison's street style, order one size up from your normal tee size. Check the size chart before checkout because lengths vary between hoodies.
Can international students order in time for move-in?
The store ships internationally to select countries, and standard US shipping takes 5-10 business days. Order at least 2-3 weeks before your move-in date to have time for any customs processing.
