<p>I’ve tried to search on this forum but I can’t seem to find it… I am invited to a scholarship day and it dawns on me that I have nothing nice to wear. My wardrobe is very cheap, consisted of jeans and t-shirts. So is my own mom’s! Help me out with some advice, please, Moms! BTW, I am female.</p>
<p>Hi, derien, congratulations! I’m sure it is gratifying to see your hard work pay off.</p>
<p>Wearing clean, neat clothes and similarly grooming yourself nicely is the most important thing. </p>
<p>If some recognition ceremony is involved, then you might want to go for a skirt or dress, which I think every young woman should have on hand for such occasions! Is there a Goodwill or similar near you? My college freshman daughter and her friends hit the Goodwill all the time and come away with great, cheap (under $10) finds. Recycling clothing is “green,” too! If you live in an urban area where there is a Forever 21 store, or even Target, you can probably find something new for under $25 that you will actually like and wear again! Something in a classic style–not too trendy–and black is ideal because you can always dress it up or down. </p>
<p>If the day is more of a get acquainted, we want to show you around, sort of event, then your jeans and t-shirt wardrobe is fine. That’s what college students wear all the time! </p>
<p>Enjoy your day!</p>
<p>Go to a dept store and find a nice pair of black slacks, and a nice looking white or cream color top. No super tight stuff or plunging necklines (put a matching cami under the top if the only kind you can find gives a good view of “the girls”). Think “job interview” or “college interview”— you’ll be having to do those soon enough and you might as well start getting a few basic items for your “serious” wardrobe. Good luck!</p>
<p>I second/third what the others have said. A nice skirt or pants paired with a nice top. Stick with black and you can wear just about nay top with them. Congrats on the scholarship. You can probably find some nice end\d of the season stuff on clearance now.</p>
<p>Mother of boys here, but I often judge speech and debate events. When the young ladies’ outfits are distracting to me, it’s difficult to listen to their presentations or for me to take them seriously.</p>
<p>So, some hints. Make sure your clothes are not too tight. I know this generation is into “tight” but if you slacks or skirt won’t lay flat on your hips (without pulling), go up one size. No gaps in your blouse if it buttons. No cleavage. Wear a pretty camisole that will cover the cleavage if you blouse is lower cut. And no gap between the bottom of your blouse and the top of your skirt or pants. Raise your hands up in the air and be sure there is no gap then as well.</p>
<p>The black skirt/dress pants with colored blouse suggestions are great. Slacks should not be denim. If you choose a skirt, it should be no shorter than just above your knee. Practice sitting in it. Ask someone to sit across from you to be sure you are all “covered up.” The pants should be properly hemmed for your shoes. Not too short and not dragging on the floor. And on the subject of shoes. Dress shoes. No tennis shoes or flip flops. Plain black pumps or the ballet flats that are popular now.</p>
<p>Hair neatly groomed. I judged one girl who brushed her hair out of her face every 15 seconds. So distracting. I found myself waiting for the next brush of hair rather than listening to her oratory.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your success! I hope this is helpful. If you have a DECA or NFL group at your school, the advisors should be able to guide you. Both organizations have dress codes for competitions.</p>
<p>All good advice. </p>
<p>What will the weather be like? If you are going to the northeast right now, you will need different clothes than you would if you were going to, say, southern California. </p>
<p>If money is a big issue (and even if it isn’t) thrift and consignment shops are good options. </p>
<p>Shoes: these do not need to be pumps. Just stay away from athletic shoes, flip-flops, and sexy prom type shoes. Target often has cute flats.</p>
<p>How else can we help?</p>
<p>Thank you all! I’ll start small by going to our local PTA thrift shop. The day will be group interviews and individual interviews. It is slated for the end of March. It should be warm and nice where I am heading to. Thanks again. You moms are awesome :-)</p>
<p>Derien – Good luck! Clean and neat and simple is exactly what you need; don’t worry about it being new. (Thrift shops or borrowing from a friend is fine.) If the shoes you wear could benefit from polish, please polish them.</p>
<p>Every woman, even a teen, would benefit from owning one pair of black pants or khakis for occasions when jeans may not be appropriate.</p>
<p>On the other hand, jeans, especially dark ones, can often fit the bill IF paired with a nice top or jacket or sweater. Even a very plain fitted short or long sleeve tee can look great with a scarf or a long necklace. (Scarves are my go-to solution for dressing up any outfit; I buy many of them at thrift stores. Look online for ways to tie them.)</p>
<p>And yes, ballet flats work with anything and are comfortable. </p>
<p>Thrift stores, Target, WalMart, department store clearances (NOW!), your friends, even your friends’ mothers are great sources.</p>
<p>I’m going to strongly second the advice re too-tight clothes and ESPECIALLY cleavage. Your generation is used to cleavage, but remember that those interviewing you will be from a different generation and mind set. I find cleavage very distracting.</p>
<p>If you wear makeup, keep it light and natural.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Black pants and a top that your grandmother would wear.</p>
<p>Black, well-fitting pants/skirt and a twin sweater set/blouse. If you are traveling to visit the campus, expect you will be taken on a walking tour (the sweater may come in handy). Break in those cut flats or low heels before you arrive. Agree with above posters – no cleavage or midriff.</p>
<p>Do not let your clothes distract your intended audience from what you have to <em>say.</em></p>
<p>Congrats on the interview, and good planning on your part to figure out what’s appropriate!</p>
<p>I was going to say what countingdown just said - two tops. Not necessarily a matching twin set, but a little jacket or cardigan over a t or tank looks a bit grown up, a bit dressed up, when worn with black dress pants or even with dark, neat jeans. If the t or tank looks too casual, add a necklace or scarf.</p>
<p>(Watch out for wrinkly khaki pants - they aren’t jeans but they don’t look better than jeans - if you get khakis, buy the kind you don’t need to iron or (augh!) iron them.)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>D2 just bought a great pair of winter dress slacks at a local clothing store for less than $14 off the sale rack Friday. They are a classic pair of pants that should last her for several years. She was pleased. Like other posters have said here she wears a cardigan with a nicer t-shirt/blouse underneath. Last spring we invested in a suit skirt and a couple of shells to pair to with sweaters that she has used several times. She has found great pieces and shoes at Target. Know time is of the essence, but she found a dress for a nicer event at school online from Target least year for a very reasonable price. She tried on similar dresses at the store to get an idea of sizing, but the dress she wanted could only be found online. If your daughter has friends who are the same size, they might be willing to loan your daughter something.</p>
<p>One thing I have noticed - there are great dresses out these days for your age group- Marshal’s and Ross to add to the list. Buying pants/top/sweater etc can really add up. Also, wearing a nice youthful dress will set you apart from all the girls who wear black slacks. Flats or kitten heals work well here too. No sky high shoes that you are tippy on! 
(I have been to many prom/ball/formal picture sessions with sons and get a real kick out of the high heels on you UGG wearing girls!)</p>
<p>Good luck; Clean hear, a little make-up and a big smile will probably do the trick, but just in case…</p>
<p>Black is the perfect color for a skirt or slacks; dark gray is just as good. Goes with any color, can be dressed up or dressed down, can read very conservative if you want it to.</p>
<p>Some of my D’s favorite clothes came from Goodwill. Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time; the treasures are there, but it can take awhile to find them. If you want to take one step up in price, go with OlympicLady’s suggestion of Ross.</p>
<p>If you can find a reasonably priced blazer that coordinates with the skirt/slacks, nab it! That look is universally professional; they’ll be impressed with how mature you look. And one thing about blazers is that very little of your shirt is going to show, so you can get a little crazy with a bright color or fun print. It adds interest without looking inappropriate.</p>