PickUpSticks

I'm staying overnight at Smith next week. I know what I'm wearing for my interview, but I don't know what to wear while just hanging out with my host and going to classes. I'm not sure if the way I normally dress would be too casual. Help me out?

Prairie

How would you describe the way you normally dress?

SmithieandProud

Casual is fine, Smith is a pretty casual campus. And remember that whatever you do with your host is never reported back or scrutinized by the admissions office, so no need to be anxious. For just hanging out, jeans and t-shirts and a pair of weather-appropriate shoes are fine. Sweatshirts are also fine. No need to dress up (though some Smithies are quite fashion-forward and really do dress for class, but as a prospie that won't be expected), just wear your normal clothes. Make sure to bring clean socks, as many people don't wear shoes in their dorm rooms.

Also, something I always always always told my overnight prospies was to bring your own towel. Your host may only own a maximum of two towels, and at least one of them is probably in the laundry hamper. Good idea to bring your own so that they don't have to do laundry for you before and after you leave.

sciencegal

I don't know if you're from the Northeast, in which case you'd know the weather. But if not, make sure to bring warm clothes (like a coat, sweater, scarf).

Good luck!

TheDad

Considering that it's not uncommon for Smithies to go to class in pajamas at times, I don't think "too casual" exists.

I hope you enjoy you're visit.

Batllo

Don't wear anything that has the name of your high school on it. Lame.

SmithieandProud

Not true, wearing high school branded stuff is fine. College first years wear the same high school sweats they've always worn.

To TD, that used to be true, but as of my senior year I was seeing a noticeable shift towards a more dressed up campus style. At least, no one was going to class in pjs and even sweats were a little frowned upon. Of course, when you start at pajamas, getting more dressed up really only means you've moved towards jeans or other clothes you wouldn't sleep or exercise in.

TheDad

S&P, the social scientist in me finds that interesting. Any idea of what sparked the change? Maybe a subconscious thing about the economy? Is the "more dressed up" towards the preppy end of the spectrum?

If you had asked me to say what the typical Smith dress was without looking at a photo I would have said sweatshirt and jeans.

PickUpSticks

I normally wear skinny jeans and a band t-shirt and some sort of jacket. And I am from the northeast so I know to bring a coat or two. Thanks!

CrewDad

A large influx of Amherst College men taking courses at Smith.

SmithieandProud

Skinny Jeans and a band tshirt = you will fit right in, believe me.

TD, I don't know what sparked the shift (ha ha, CrewDad, good hypothesis!). Maybe it's the Mad Men effect? But people definitely started showing up in class and just around campus dressed in a more polished, put together, I took time with my outfit and make up manner. Of course, it manifested in a lot of different styles, there were well dressed hipsters, well dressed prepsters, and people that defy classification. It was an interesting phenomenon.

McPucks1357

Just be yourself. Dress how you normally do, you'll be more comfortable that way.

smithiegr

^I second S&P. I have no idea why, but I know that I will put on something that wouldn't be mistaken for sleeping clothes. I've also noticed the same in my classmates.

Maybe it's one of those pendulum-like things, and several years from now, people will be posting about how no one wears anything but PJs.