<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>we are travelling to Boston to be part of D1’s college experience. I understand that there is a separate session for parents and siblings. Is there a dress code or such? Will be end august - so technically end of summer but wondering about the range from stuffy-to-beachwear!!
tips on something in between will be nice!!</p>
<p>Thanks, a</p>
<p>Parent orientation often takes place on moving day. In my experience, the dress is casual for info sessions and if there is an additional event (ie meet the dean, president, etc.), that too is not anything people seem to focus on wardrobe-wise. Casual, neat, and whatever you’d have on for the rest of the day. Late August in Boston can be hot and humid, so regardless of school events, you may want a change of clothes post move-in. Neither stuffy nor beachwear is likely to make an appearance. Lightweight casual pants, capris, skirt or sundress will all work. Khaki and one step above a tee shirt will work for guys. Enjoy the day and don’t sweat this part.</p>
<p>I have two words of wisdom: comfortable shoes! If your child’s school is anything like my D’s college, you will be walking a lot. Wear something thatlooks neat, as the previous poster suggested, and does not wrinkle or stain easily. Lots of deodorant/antiperspirant, because late August in Boston can be very, very hot. Bring a cardigan or a lightweight jacket, because some sessions can take place in air-conditioned rooms (can be quite chilly). Have fun!</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters - comfortable and casual. This is not the dress to impress event. Not jeans and sneakers maybe, but capri’s, casual shirt, and walking sandals will probably be what I’ll wear.</p>
<p>Sunscreen, very comfortable shoes, dress cool. Try to carry very little, except you might need a light overshirt for 30 degree air conditioned buildings, and a bottle of water. Maybe a fanny pack instead of a big purse. Check the weather report, just on the off-chance you might get rain that day.</p>
<p>I wore tennis shoes and jeans but didn’t attend any formal events. Moved him in, ate in the dining hall and went to a large, informal event on the quad.</p>
<p>Our parents orientation was very casual since it was the afternoon of move in day. I felt in no way out of place in jeans, flip flops and a short sleeve shirt. The same day we also had an outdoor lunch with the kids and a reception at the presidents house (outside) for the parents after we separated from the kids.</p>
<p>Focus on the specific agenda. If move in/parent orientation is an event that is spread out over a few days, there may be an event or two that is not “move in attire.” You may see “chapel” or “reception at President’s house” on the agenda. Those are obviously not shorts and t-shirt events. Other schools want parents out ASAP, so it really doesn’t matter what you wear.</p>
<p>I wore my usual - shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops. But this was in California, not Booooston, and there were clearly no formal events on the itinerary.</p>
<p>^^^LOL, yes for Boston you will want to skip the flip-flops and shorts. Khakiis and a polo shirt for the dads, and pants, capriis and a decent top for moms. (It has been very hot and humid for the move-ins in August and September, so an extra polo can come in handy.)</p>
<p>For deans’ receptions moms might want to amp it up a notch to the previously suggested skirt, sundress, or nice pants.</p>
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<p>I disagree. Plenty of people (at least people I know) wear those clothes in Boston.</p>
<p>I stick with my original advice, no matter where you are in the country. Look at what parents are supposed to do and when, and go from there. Let’s say move in is from noon-4 and the Dean’s reception is from 4-5. I would say that they would expect people to be in their move in clothes. But if move in is from 9 am to noon and the Dean’s reception is at 8 pm, I would think they would be giving parents time to clean up and change clothes.</p>
<p>On the shoe front, there are still dorms where you take a few flights of stairs rather than the elevator. I don’t find flip flops the best thing for stairs.</p>
<p>I think I wore t-shirt and shorts (or maybe capris) to S2’s move-in and convocation in Boston (well Medford anyway!). You moved in in the morning the freshman and parents had convocation (outside) at 3 pm and then you said goodbye. No need to be dressed up at all. I’m sure all the girls were in flip-flops they are pretty ubiquitous here too.</p>
<p>We are flying into Boston early morning, moving D in, then there are the various orientation activities, parents depart before dinner, H and I are taking a late night flight back. We’ll be wearing shorts and shirts appropriate for moving in. I think it would be insane to schlep a “better” outfit there. I dressed nicely for Admitted Stidents Weekend and will dress nicely for Parents Weekend, but moving in? They’re just going to gave to deal with shorts or capris and flip flops or sneakers.</p>
<p>As I recall, our campus orientation days (in Boston in July) had a variety of parent clothing… most of it casual to very casual. </p>
<p>I agree - comfortable shoes are very important!</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, you will be just fine in your shorts! 
I do recommend wearing something sturdier than flipflops.</p>
<p>Nothing that will make you stand out or potentially embarrass your children. You don’t want to be pointed out as the mom with the $5000 bag or the 3" heels or the one wearing the Confederate flag dress.</p>