College Discussion

Go Back   College Discussion > College Admissions and Search > Parents Forum > Parent Cafe
Register FAQ     Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

 
Welcome to College Discussion at College Confidential, the Web's leading discussion forum for college admissions, financial aid, SAT prep, and much more! You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, etc. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
   College Confidential is dedicated to providing the best free college admissions information available on the Web, through our many articles and this discussion forum. For those of you who wish more personal advising, College Confidential offers private counseling services, conducted via e-mail, with services starting at $89. Counseling is conducted by our Director of Counseling Dave Berry, co-author of America's Elite Colleges and/or with Sally Rubenstone, co-author of Panicked Parents Guide to College Admission, and our other outstanding associates. See College Counseling for more information.

This welcome message goes away when you register and log in!
Discussion Menu
Discussion Home
Help & Rules
Latest Posts
NEW! College Visits
NEW! Stats Profiles
Top Forums
College Search
College Admissions
Financial Aid
SAT/ACT
Parents
Colleges
Ivy League
Main CC Site
College Confidential
College Search
College Admissions
College Counseling
Paying for College
Sponsors
 Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-03-2007, 12:25 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Threads: 108
Posts: 1,453
What do you wear to a semi-formal dance/ party?

D's freshman class is having a semi-formal. They were told it is themed black and white and "think homecoming"? I haven't got a clue what that means and she asked me to pick up something for her to wear (I'm visiting next weekend).
So what am I looking for? Could it also be a dressy outfit with slacks and jacket?
Thanks. BTW this is a socially low-key liberal lefty college in the Northeast ( not a Southern bigtime football college).
pyewacket is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 12:48 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So Cal
Threads: 41
Posts: 413
Well, according to online resources...Semi-Formal Attire
Every so often, you’ll find yourself being asked to wear semi formal attire to such events as weddings and award ceremonies, and every person should have at least one item in their closet that fits the description of Semi-Formal.
This form of attire gets the most attention, but often because of its universal use. Many associate other forms of dress such as cocktail attire, with semi-formal. However, Semi-formal attire is much more formal than cocktail attire.

Suitable Articles of Clothing:
Women:
Dresses (one inch above the knee to two inches above the ankle)
Pants Suits (ankle length)
Dress Suits (hem knee length to floor length

All that being said, for me, I'd love a very dressy black and white matte satin or crepe pants suit. Something that moved when I did, not stiff. Maybe the jacket would tie to the side. And maybe longer than a "normal" suit jacket.

But I'd be freaking out if I had to buy something for someone else to wear.

Last minute edit: something like this may be appropriate? http://www.chadwicks.com/Product.asp...PurchaseType=0

This blazer with black (or white) trousers and some awesome heels: http://www.smartbargains.com/go.sb?p...at-103.prod.11

Last edited by "just"aMom : 03-03-2007 at 12:54 PM.
"just"aMom is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 12:55 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Threads: 108
Posts: 1,453
just a Mom, Thanks for the link .

My D is the extreme opposite of a "clothes horse" doesn't care at all about what she wears as long as 1) it feels comfortable 2) other people think she looks OK for the occasion 3) it's not overly feminine and fussy
pyewacket is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 01:00 PM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So Cal
Threads: 41
Posts: 413
pyewacket, I dropped in another link with a cute (Cute!) jacket (black & white).

Would look amazing with some trousers and some heels:

http://www.smartbargains.com/go.sb?p...at-103.prod.11
"just"aMom is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 01:14 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Home of the Bean and the Cod
Threads: 20
Posts: 125
I've seen photos of the girls in semi-formal wear at DS's low-key liberal lefty college in the Northeast. Think something in the little black dress catagory.

J. Crew has a whole department devoted to it:
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/categor...l?id=cat160412

You can have her look online and ship to her dorm.
My Sweet Babboo is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 02:07 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Threads: 44
Posts: 1,376
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2929151/...bs&pbo=2378483

And not a bad price!
mkm56 is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 02:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Threads: 44
Posts: 1,376
http://www.dillards.com/endeca/Endec...4+42949672 82

Here's black party dresses from Dillards--some are kinda weird I think--but then I'm not a college student.
mkm56 is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 02:44 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So Cal
Threads: 41
Posts: 413
mkm56 some of those Dillard's dresses are great.
"just"aMom is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 03:00 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Threads: 16
Posts: 244
If you have a Macy's nearby--go to the BCBG section. They always have a sale rack. I was in today and there was a rack of dresses that were 70% off.


Most were around $65 to $90 on sale--and would work well for a semi formal.
They had some with spagetti staps and some wrap dresses with sleeves, if your daughter is not comfortable with bare shoulders.
meredesfilles is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 03:43 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Threads: 94
Posts: 1,377
I second the BCBG suggestion...it's a popular brand with this age group and even if your d doesn't care about labels, the cut and line of the clothes are youthful, but still elegant.

(And their sales rock!! Picked up a $250 sundress for under $90 recently.)
ldmom06 is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 04:21 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northeast
Threads: 213
Posts: 4,311
IMO, it is so much easier for male students. My son has been to several semi-formals at college already. He throws on a pair of Dockers, or washable trousers, no wrinkle button down shirt, tie and thats it. In the winter he can put a dressy sweater on, but has not yet. He avoids going to the dry cleaners. He has a suit, and a blazer, but does not want to deal with dry cleaners so has not put either on all year.
northeastmom is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 05:49 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Suffragette City
Threads: 71
Posts: 1,624
According to my school, semi-formals equal no slacks for girls. It usually elicits prom dresses.
snoopyiscool is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 06:02 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Threads: 17
Posts: 363
If you know she will probably not wear it again, try Forever21. We got 2 for a total of $54, but I doubt they would stand up to a washing or drycleaning. I hate the store, but love the prices for one time wear dresses. Also Nordstrom online, for much better dresses.
cmbmom is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 06:08 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Threads: 31
Posts: 1,058
Little black dress is something all girls who are going to have dress occassions need first.
kirmum is offline  
Old 03-03-2007, 06:12 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Threads: 12
Posts: 1,725
I have tried many times to wear a strapless gown to this type of thing, but my wife won't let me.
Tarhunt is offline  
Reply


Thread Tools

 


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:24 AM.


Copyright 2001-2008, CollegeConfidential.com, Inc., All Rights Reserved
SEO by vBSEO 3.1.0