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All of geek_son’s classmates did. School dress code. 
They found plenty of room for creativity, femininity, and personal expression.</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that most teens don’t have at least one “passable” outfit in the closet. Do their parents just never take them out for dinner to celebrate a birthday? Thanksgiving at grandma’s? A wedding or event at a house of worship? I’m not talking coat and tie or formal gown here but that’s part of bringing up your child, IMO, exposing them to situations beyond jeans and tees and ensuring they have something on hand. This isn’t about money-- Target sells clothing appropriate for what Im talking about.</p>
<p>Honestly, bouda, I’m sure you knew that a v neck dress could easily be made appropriate with a tank or cami under it!</p>
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have you even been to JCrew or a new england prep school. This is what a lot of people wear. The loafers typically being Sperry top-siders or another type of boat shoe.
Boys typically wear khaki colored khakis, whereas a girl may wear kelley green ones with blue sperrys and a pink butondown.
^thats what i wore</p>
<p>Headlinenewsrox- I have been in Jcrew but never a New England boarding school. Showing my regional ignorance. I live in a beach city on the coast of Ca. Even the private high schools give up the khaki and polo shirt uniform after elementary school.</p>
<p>To our surprise, Macy’s had a lot of inexpensive blazers & fitted skirts and slacks in their junior’s section at good prices. Bought a blazer, skirt, vest and two trench coats (they’re unlined and thin–D loves them) for under $100 for all of them together.</p>
<p>It was the only place that had a blazer that fit D! She wore the blazer, a pair of dressy black slacks from Ross, a nice knit top & 2+ inch heels for her internship interview. It would have worked for a college interview as well. At their HS, kids were wearing similar outfits for their college interviews while some dressed more & others less. Sweater sets and blazers are a nice look for females.</p>
<p>Neither D nor I are much into ruffles. D does go out & could have worn one of the dresses she owned, but most of them are more for the theater or weddings,etc. so she wanted a blazer, vest & skirt, which she can wear for on-campus interviews as well.</p>
<p>Several schools told my kids to just wear casual, comfortable clothing for their interviews because they were taking a tour the same day. They wore nice slacks, shirt with a collar (nice sweater over that in cooler weather) and shoes that they could walk in.</p>
<p>I don’t think one needs to wear the type of clothes for a college interview that one would wear for an internship interview or a “first job” interview. My oldest had an internship interview this spring and he wore a sportcoat. He would never have worn a sportcoat to a college interview unless the interview was in an establishment that called for a sportcoat. I agree about Old Navy, forgot about them, for lightweight cardigans and current clothing…</p>
<p>I think a lot of college interviews are way more casual than parents think, even if they’re with alumni. Honestly, I doubt that the interviewers put 1/10 the amount of consideration into an applicant’s clothing that parents do. A lot of interviewers even stress the “dress casual” aspect of the interview. Obviously this isn’t license to wear revealing or obscene clothing, but wearing jeans and sneakers won’t get you rejected on sight.</p>
<p>On the khaki front, that might be a regional/New England thing. I love them, as do a lot of my friends. NE’s a great place for the “classic prep” look. I attended most of my interviews in jeans+fitted oxford shirt+sweater, and I did all right. (I’m a girl.) Like others have said…the key is really the sweater. Layering a sweater over anything–but especially a button-down shirt, is pretty much an instant classic look.</p>
<p>I once got three dresses from Gap when they had their European Collection.
One was midnight blue velvet and off the shoulder. I use that for fancy.
One was navy blue and cotton, has sleeves, a regular neckline and drapes to the knee. It’s super cute without being “cute” and I use that for professional.
The third was an apron dress, light blue with decorative cutouts. I go to the beach in that! </p>
<p>Best of all, they were all on sale for $15.</p>
<p>I skimmed the comments here and I don’t think anyone mentioned Banana Republic for girls: somewhat more expensive BUT great sales. The clothes also come in a variety of sizes. (One d just moved up from a 00P to a 0P :)) BR carries clothes suitable for business casual and business. Recently asked a friend of my d’s (hs senior) about the cute pants she had on, and was informed BR. Yes, the pants were khaki, but not stereotypical khaki pants: light khaki color, fitted, and worn with a cute v neck sweater, flats, and a Coach bag. The girl had come from church to an organizational meeting. She would have looked great at a casual college interview - not trying too hard, but appropriate. Note the mention “casual college interview” - I’m thinking Starbucks with an alum, on campus before or after a tour; some interview attire should be stepped up a notch above this, depending on with whom, where, and when. </p>
<p>Neither of my girls would have worn the clothes pictured for an interview. (Just asked my hs senior for her opinion and got: “Umm, the skirts/dress are a little short and the top a little low. Cute for something else, maybe.”) </p>
<p>And regarding my son 
</p>
<p>To quote geekmom:
</p>
<p>Our S is attending several campus tours & info sessions next week in NE. I’m assuming nice shorts, t-shirt okay for this? No interviews. Thanks for the help</p>
<p>If there are no interviews, shorts and a clean shirt are fine. Have fun!</p>
<p>BR & Gap outlet stores have good bargains if you are near enough to make the trek. My DD is getting ready for her first post-grad job and needs ‘daily dress’ for work plus interview wear for med school interviews (hopefully) so we are heading to the big outlet 80 miles from home, but worth it for a major shop at a life transition point</p>
<p>BR is really hit or miss. We have bought some amazing things there, especially when they have a good sale (I’ve gotten several slacks I love, sweater, & dress @ $9.88 apiece). I bought D a full-price silk dress for a wedding that she’s worn for several dressy dinners. Have also bought belts and a sweater for D on sale at good prices. Lately, when we’ve been at BR, we haven’t been thrilled with selection, prices or sizes. Hopefully we’ll find more things that work in the future–will keep trying when we’re n the area.</p>
<p>somemom- if you subscribe to Gap and BR online you will get emails with offers of free shipping and 30% off. Also you can order from Gap, BR and Old Navy in the same order and combine shipping if you don’t have a free shipping code.</p>
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sorry my response might have seemed, snotty. i did not mean for it to be by any means</p>
<p>^^^didn’t sound snotty to this midwesterner! :)</p>
<p>^ I agree! Some strong opinions here, but for true snottiness I think you’d have to go to the LAC-vs-university thread. :D</p>
<p>doubt that it make any difference. If it does, would a teen want to attendat a college offering only a shallow kiddy pool?</p>