<p>I think you have your answer. Been on seven total tours. Jeans are just fine. Be comfortable.</p>
<p>LOL, ucbalumnus!</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think it would matter at all even if you wear the rival college’s sweatshirt–that would probably just inspire the tour guide to tell you why their school is better.</p>
<p>We toured about 15 campuses when we were going through this process, mostly in the blustery fall and early chilly spring, and the vast majority of the tour guides themselves were wearing jeans, a sweatshirt or North Face type jacket, and sneakers or boots. Overdressed kids stood out, and not in a good way. Girls in skirts were freezing and looked uncomfortable.</p>
<p>I hope to never judge folks who are “overdressed” for the tour. They may have just come from a very important scholarhip interview or audition, or may be from another culture, or be first generation from a family who has no experience at college.</p>
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<p>I have to say, I am a mom, and I notice that almost all of the women (moms) on the tours are wearing what look like uncomfortable shoes to me! Lots of heels, wedges, or sandles that look like you would not want to walk two blocks in them. I always wonder what they thought they would be doing that day… I bet one in 10 moms has a shoe on that is good for walking. We usually criss-cross the campus a few times in a day (tour, lunch in caf, class, sometimes the info session, stop in at the art building that isn’t on the tour, etc.). I can’t imagine doing that in uncomfortable shoes.</p>
<p>Wear whatever you want, as long as you wear comfortable shoes.</p>
<p>Jeans are fine for both applicant and parent. That’s what many of the students will be wearing, too. And probably many faculty members as well.</p>
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<p>If this is directed at me, I’m not “judging” anyone. I’m simply pointing out that people who were dressed up in weather-inappropriate clothing looked awkward and uncomfortable, so there is no reason not to dress in jeans or whatever you’re comfortable in. The topic of the thread is clothes, not character.</p>
<p>What if it is a tour plus interview? And a meeting with the department chair? </p>
<p>We are heading to an area of the country where there is snow on the ground. The school is describes in reviews as “unpretentious”.</p>
<p>Sounds weird, but we don’t own heavy-duty shoes because our area is generally so warm. Are black jeans and a nice sweater okay for DS with either sneakers or black dress shoes?</p>
<p>Would dress pants and low heels be appropriate for me? I really don’t have much between skirts/dress pants for work and jeans/sweatpants for home. If I need to run to the store for something in between, I can do that.</p>