@Marian lol! I do agree that the lesson here is to ask for specifics when it comes to a dress code. To me, “really casual” would be exactly what the OP got from her guest, and not necessarily a dress or even nice shorts and a button-up. I usually ask for an example from the host. I hate the term “business casual” as it is so vague and can mean so many different things depending on the host and the locale.
I agree that at least one set of ‘nicer’ clothes would have been apppropo just in case your friends wanted to go to a nicer restaurant, but I see no need for anything other than shorts for orientation. The only folks that she’ll need to impress are the other teenagers – the staff/faculty will be seeing hundreds of kids every hour and just won’t care what anyone is wearing.
So much of it depends on what kind of casual clothes. Some casual dresses are far more casual, and more inappropriate, than a pair of tailored shorts with a tucked in T-shirt and neat Nikies. Though I suppose OP’s guest wasn’t wearing THAT KIND of shorts/Tshirt or she wouldn’t have posted.
This discussion reminds me of a conversation I had with a European, who says he can always, always spot American men. “They’re the only adult men wearing shorts in the city,” he said. “Even when it’s 95 degrees in Paris or Geneva, European men over the age of, say, 28, wouldn’t wear shorts.” An American man said, “but don’t they get HOT wearing long pants in 95 degree weather?” The European just shrugged, as if that was a complete aside, and not a legitimate question.
I’m on your side, OP.
While “really casual” may imply shorts and a t-shirt in most contexts, it’s generally not appropriate dinner wear. I would’ve said “nice casual.” I’ve taught my kids to pack something decent (sundress, khakis and button down shirt, etc) when they travel just in case something comes up.
I live in a warm climate that attracts tons of tourists. I am appalled when my H and I go to dinner at a fancy restaurant and see tourists in shorts and Hawaiian shirts. A few fine dining establishments have a dress code, but many do not because they want to draw the tourists. The locals tend to dress nicely when we go out. Just because we have a beach doesn’t mean beach attire is appropriate everywhere!
Ha! Yes. ^ Lady Lorna also mentioned this and it is indeed interesting the clothing choices across countries and regions. I’ve seen guys in 90+ degrees weather still wear jeans, a button down, and an undershirt and they don’t sweat about it…figuratively of course. 
I still hear my mother’s voice demanding to know if I’m really intending to leave the house “dressed like that” - and so, I suspect is the fellow who rented an apartment upstairs in our home (no private entrance). She had definite issues with this very nice Vermont farm boy’s leather jacket, and he wasn’t even related to us.
And then there was the elderly gentleman I saw the other day at physical therapy, who (on a 90 degree day), carefully tied his necktie, pulled on his sport coat and donned his hat before leaving the building.
I’m with SouthernHope on this. This student wasn’t just part of a large crowd attending new student orientation. She was
I realize we’re a more casual society than we were when I was in school, but there’s a difference between how you dress for class and how you dress when you meet your professor or college counselor for the first time.
In hot conditions it’s actually cooler to cover up. Breathable linen trousers are going to be cooler than cargo shorts. Look at men in Latin countries. Long pants, loose shirts, hats. It’s true about the “shorts = American” thing. In much of the world, shorts are simply not considered streetwear for adults. And let’s face it, most adults don’t look that good in shorts.
Perhaps the lack of popularity of such cool long trousers (or [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Dishdasha.jpg]kandura/dishdash[/url] if you really want to cover up) in the US may be part of the phenomenon. In the US, it does seem most common for long trousers to be of the kind best suited for cooler weather (e.g. jeans).
![https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Dishdasha.jpg]kandura/dishdash[/url](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Dishdasha.jpg%5Dkandura/dishdash%5B/url){kind=link}
The “little sun dresses” we see here are hardly covering up more than shorts and a T cover. And this is not strictly an American trend. On our April trip to Europe we went to the symphony in Berlin and two operas in Prague. Here in LA, we definitely dress for the opera. In both Prague and Berlin my D assured me that at these performances “most everyone under the age of 30 will look like they are going on a hike afterwards” She was right, even in the box seats! Jeans, hiking boots and hoodies.
But it wasn’t the way I dressed, so as I said before I don’t get my knickers in a twist.
To clarify, there is a big difference between a pair of dressy linen Bermuda shorts paired with a silk tank, wedges and nice accessories vs Nike running shorts paired with a regular tee-shirt. Or for men, between pressed khaki shorts with a collared shirt vs cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. In most cases, it’s not the shorts per se, but rather, the overall look that matters. Although IMO, there are places that any shorts are not appropriate.
Well sure there is a difference and it’s called fashion. It’s for the most part regional. " dressy linen Bermuda shorts paired with a silk tank, wedges and nice accessories " Here in the possibly hipper parts of town, that look would come across as ridiculous. But where you live, not so much.
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Trust me Niquii—this was in April, in summer, if its really hot the folks in Prague and Berlin wear shorts.
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This is one of those issues where I worry more about my own kids than someone else’s.
We live in a smallish city known for amazing food and recently had house guests. They wanted to take us to a nice/upscale place around the corner (tablecloths, neat waiters, reputation, etc.) He kept asking me what he should wear and I kept answering, whatever you wish, it’s casual enough. Finally, he asked about shorts and still didn’t believe me. I had to tell him I had never seem someone in business formal or date-wear there. He wore shorts. It’s summer. This was in our neighborhood, not downtown, where people might come from a business or where the most expensive places are.
With my girls, what I advised was always to pack the “in case” outfit. Casual enough to feel comfortable if everyone else is dressed down, but smart enough in case everyone reaches a tad higher. But you have to realize, even in hs D1 was the sort who wouldn’t go to the gym or run an errand unless ready to meet and greet.
The Thai places around here are very casual; it would be appropriate for an 18 year old to wear a t-shirt and shorts.
This is, as others have said, a regional thing. I would not expect a summer orientation to be dressy, especially as many colleges in our area are not air conditioned.
My H is a motion picture costumer. Neither D or I could ever leave the house without being outfitted by a professional. He is obsessed, so it’s something we talk about a lot at our house. And when we travel he takes far far too many clothes because he always wants the “dress the part”. (and yes to the “just in case” outfit–since you never know when the Queen might be inviting you to tea)
So I care about what we wear and can’t help to observe what others wear regionally. And though we observe and discuss, I hardly would care what a guest would wear to a local Thai joint. Casual attitudes about dress are just as regional as the actual casual way of dressing.
@SouthernHope and any of my equally fossilized peers:
Did you used to enjoy “Wings” in the 90’s? I did.
How about the one where Joe is in the video store arguing over the 50-cent rewind fee with the teenage assistant manager.
Kid: Look Pops, I know in your day 50 cents was a lot of money …
Joe: In my day? In MY Day? I’m in my thirties!
Kid: Yeah, so’s my Dad!
Wow. I had no idea anyone could be this frazzled and concerned with what another person is wearing. I guess I’m lucky I live in Texas because I never dress up, nor do I see anyone else doing it at my school, thankfully. Even during orientation sessions the last month the new students on campus weren’t going out of their way to look like they were headed to their investment banking job later that night.