College merch ideas for 2025: what’s actually trending on campuses now?
When it comes to college merch ideas, it’s easy to default to the usual suspects: notebooks, lanyards, and branded pens. While these are functional and affordable safe bets, they don’t always spark the kind of excitement that gets students lining up or showing off their swag on TikTok.
Style-savvy and chronically online Gen Z students are drawn to things that feel personal and usable beyond campus tours and club fairs. The right merch signals more than school spirit, but reflects who students are (or who they want to be).
Whether you're sourcing giveaways for orientation, stocking the campus store, or outfitting student ambassadors, here are the college merch ideas making waves on campuses right now.
Retro hats
Gen Z’s obsession with Y2K fashion is still going strong, and bucket hats and trucker hats are two of its most wearable throwbacks.
And they’re not just a phase: the bucket hat market alone is expected to grow from $380.6M in 2024 to over $577M by 2032, with seasonal search spikes peaking each spring and summer. Trucker hats are having a similar resurgence, thanks to their “ugly-cute” charm and nostalgic pull – just search Von Dutch on Depop to see the frenzy.
So, consider ordering canvas or denim bucket hats in tonal colors with subtle varsity embroidery for everyday appeal. For trucker hats, don’t be afraid to go bold with puff print logos, stitched patches, or mascot throwbacks. Light colors and breathable mesh make them summer-friendly, and a smart take on school branding keeps them feeling fresh, not forced.
Canvas tote bags
Gen Z’s obsession with canvas totes has exploded into what insiders are calling the next “it‑bag” for summer 2025. Just take a look at these stats:
- The iconic L.L.Bean Boat and Tote sparked a frenzy with six‑month waitlists and designer collabs, hiking prices from $15 general‑release to $1,500 luxury editions.
- Trader Joe’s pastel mini totes triggered early‑morning lines and resale prices up to $100 for a $2.99 bag, turning grocery merch into viral collectibles.
- Canvas totes are dominating the bag market globally – the industry was worth over $1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by 6.3% in 2025.
So, how do you make your college tote one Gen Z will want? Here are our top tips:
- Go for pastel or muted palette drops: Take a cue from the Trader Joe’s mini tote craze – pastel and limited-edition colorways drive real buzz. Alternatively, offer totes in muted, school-adjacent hues or seasonal palettes to create a sense of novelty and collectibility.
- Upgrade the material: Sturdy canvas has staying power, and when it’s made from recycled or organic materials, it aligns with Gen Z’s sustainability values.
- Choose the right size: Go for roomy, soft-structured totes that can carry everything for a full day on campus, such as a laptop, snacks, or even a throw blanket.
- Leverage scarcity: Totes don’t need to be mass-produced to make an impact. A limited release or surprise pop-up on the quad can spark lines and buzz, especially when paired with exclusive designs or collabs with popular student orgs.
Explore Wayo’s collection of custom tote bags.
Decorative add-ons
Today’s college students are decorating their bags, hats, and even water bottles with stickers, enamel pins, iron-on patches, charms, and keychains. One recent study found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults who shop on Instagram or TikTok say they’ve purchased accessories for their accessories.
Take bag charms, for example. You might not understand the Labubu hype, but there’s good reason why these furry plush charms have managed to generate $419 million in revenue in 2024 alone. And Labubus are just the tip of the iceberg: Gen Z is also snapping up sea‑creature charms and Tamagotchi keychains to accessorize their stuff.
Sure, they’re fun, but more importantly, it’s about identity. Whether it’s turning a canvas tote into a collage of inside jokes or using pins to rep every club they’ve joined, Gen Z is drawn to merch that feels like theirs. Even small items (like a $2 enamel pin) become conversation starters when they tap into something meaningful.
So, make personalization part of your merch experience. You can, for example:
- Design totes and apparel with intentional “blank zones” for personalization and decoration.
- Offer add-ons like mascot pins, motto patches, or limited-edition keychains tied to events.
- Set up DIY customization bars at orientation or pop-up events where students can pin, patch, and personalize on the spot.
Ring lights and other tech accessories
For a generation raised on FaceTime and front-facing cameras, good lighting is essential. Between late-night study sessions, video class presentations, and the ever-present scroll of TikTok, Gen Z students are constantly on. So it’s no surprise that ring lights, selfie stick tripods, and other creator-adjacent accessories have gone from niche to dorm-room essential.
Sure, it’s about looking good, but more importantly, Gen Z students prioritize staying charged and connected. Naturally, multi-USB cables that work across devices and portable chargers for on-the-go power during long days on campus are lifesavers. And for dorms where outlets are in short supply, 3-in-1 chargers that handle a phone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once are a dream.
Athleisure
Comfort isn’t compromising; in fact, it’s commanding the campus wardrobe, with two-thirds of Gen Z wearing it multiple times per week. After all, athleisure is purposeful: it suits a busy day that moves from class to coffee runs to late-night study sessions in real time.
When browsing apparel-based college merch ideas, prioritize:
- Premium-feel fabrics in relaxed fits: Look for midweight sweatshirts, soft joggers, and cozy fleece-lined quarter zips that balance comfort with durability. Gen Z generally gravitates toward oversized or unstructured silhouettes that feel casual but intentional, so consider skipping stiff or overly tailored cuts.
- Subtle school branding: Tonal embroidery, woven tags, or small sleeve prints provide a polished finish that doesn’t scream “promo.”
- Neutral or muted colorways: Shades like sage green, washed navy, dusty rose, or soft beige feel modern and versatile – easy to pair with everything from bike shorts to puffer vests. These hues blend with Gen Z’s preferred palettes (think “clean girl,” minimalist, or vintage-inspired), making them more likely to become everyday staples.
- Details that elevate without overcomplicating: Ribbed hems, kangaroo pockets, oversized hoods, or double-lined interiors are subtle touches that enhance comfort and lend the piece a premium feel. Avoid large graphic logos or heavy screen printing, as these can cheapen the look and date the design quickly.
Bonus points for offering coordinating sets or layering-friendly options, such as cropped crewnecks, oversized quarter-zips, or fleece shorts. Matching sets encourage multi-item purchases and make for compelling social content during merch drops. They also tap into Gen Z’s love for outfit “uniforms” that are easy to wear but still look pulled together.
Ready to bring your college merch ideas to life?
The best college merch ideas tap into what students are actually wearing, carrying, and customizing right now. From retro hats and collectible pins to canvas totes and cozy sweats, Gen Z wants merch that feels relevant, personal, and worth showing off.
At Wayo, we keep a pulse on what’s trending, so your merch always feels current. Our catalog includes dozens of college-ready merch – and if you want a fully custom product, our AI sourcing assistant can help you track it down, customize it, and get it in students’ hands.
