<p>I just never trust my mom. The college I got into is having an accepted students “reception” on the upper east side in a fancy sounding house (literally some guy’s house)/apartment/whatever. The building has only a few apartments and it comes equipped with a movie theater and game room. </p>
<p>The invitation says the attire is casual. That’s the only word mentioned. We will be eating pizza.</p>
<p>I took this as some jeans with a casual button down shirt, probablyblue and white stripes. Maybe American Eagle or something.</p>
<p>My mom thinks that’s really bummy and she told me about that Leave it to Beaver episode and said I have to wear these black corduroy pants with a shirt (striped or white). It’s just that I /really/ hate these pants and feel like it’s overdressing.</p>
<p>Do you have other pants that aren’t jeans that you could wear? I have to say… I would side with your mom a bit, but if you HATE what she wants you to wear, see if there is a compromise. Do you have some khakis or something you could wear? Being underdressed sucks more than being a bit overdressed. And it isn’t like she is asking for the tie/blazer combo…</p>
<p>Well… I say pick between the cordoroy or slacks, whichever is the lesser evil. I mean, you did come and ask parents for input. Just don’t even worry about it when you get there, once you settle in to talk to some people you can forget that it was even a discussion item. Likely you will find some people more casual, and some dressed like you.</p>
<p>If it’s casual, jeans should be OK. But since it’s in a “nice” setting, dressed up jeans may be the way to go. There are so many ways of dressing up a pair of jeans! Wear them with a nice top, or a blazer, and, say, a pair of low heels. Tons of examples on the web. Like this…</p>
<p>These type events are going to come up again, it’s worth having a nice pair of casual non-jean pants that you love. You also need a pair of shoes which are not sneakers and not dress shoes to go with said pants.</p>
<p>I think jeans match the definition of “casual” nicely. But I’m from Portland, where the local definition of “formal” includes wearing a shirt that was ironed.</p>
<p>It is casual not business casual and it is not a college interview. Jeans, blazer, collared shirt presents a good impression of a rising college freshman. There will be others that are overdressed and underdressed but not you.</p>
<p>I would trust your own instincts. I know that at my daughter’s college (a seven sisters school), at least half of the students attending a casual pizza party would be wearing jeans, regardless of where it was held.</p>
<p>Dark dress slacks. Button down long sleeve shirt (light colored). Black leather belt. Socks darker than pants (solid color). Blacks Dress shoes (slip on ok for casual). If you’re in a penny pinching mood, all this stuff can be had at the second hand store.</p>
<p>One thing I learned LONG ago is know your audience; figure out what “casual” means to the person hosting the party. It’s highly likely that the host means casual in a pair of dress pants and a button down shirt vs suit and tie. I would get some AE type khaki pants–in between the jeans/cords and a button down shirt. Casual at our house would be jeans and a sweatshirt :D.</p>
<p>If it were summer, khakis and a button down shirt is absolutely what you should be wearing, and what I guarantee 95% of your male peers would be wearing. Winter is a bit trickier, and I would probably recommend a darker version of khakis (something akin to Dockers, but of course in a younger cut) with a button down shirt and a nice v-neck sweater or cardigan. A blazer would be overkill. You could wear jeans, but your private school peers will not be wearing them. Your call.</p>
<p>I agree that jeans are fine, as long as they looked “dressed up” and you’ve put some care into your appearance. You’ve already been accepted and it’s not an interview, so you have a wider range of options. In my view, your clothes should reflect who you are, and not an uncomfortable version of how your mom thinks you should look. So, jeans/blazer/ironed button-down shirt/no sneakers, or khakis/sweater/ironed button down/no sneakers. You should invest in a pair of khakis, if you don’t have a pair.</p>
<p>I’m a mom of two boys - my older son is not particularly interested in clothes, so I have struggled in helping him. He wants to look appropriate and be comfortable, and not look like his mom chooses his outfits. Isn’t hipster or preppy and doesn’t want to look like either. We’ve figured out what works for him - neutral colors, lots of blue, charcoal gray, tan, some dark reds. Button downs, khakis, cords, polos, plain t-shirts without lettering, v-neck sweaters, casual pull-overs. Most of it is pretty mix and match so he can’t go wrong putting colors together. Nothing is loud or flamboyant - all very low key and classic. He has a very good navy blazer that takes him everywhere.</p>
<p>My son and I went to an accepted reception at a <em>fancy schmanchy</em> house and the kids dressed like 18 year old kids dress if they are going to an expensive restaurant for dinner with their parents. Nice jeans, button down shirt, loafers or topsiders.</p>
<p>There are jeans, and then there are jeans. The first you throw on to lounge around with friends, are broken in just right, probably have some wear n tear (either when you bought them or from you). The second are a darker wash, well fitting (do not cut your backside in half, or reveal what type of underwear you have on). They are age appropriate however, not mom jeans. Coupled with a nice top and a shrunken blazer with the sleeves rolled up, you will not be overdressed (you can always take the blazer off). The shoes depend on the cut of the jean. Most of the young women at my son’s college wear skinny jeans and boots (not uggs). That may not be the style where you live. Go with what you’re comfortable with, but avoiding something worn/tired is probably best.</p>
<p>Try to enjoy yourself. Others will probably be anxious as well.</p>
Just don’t even worry about it when you get there, once you settle in to talk to some people you can forget that it was even a discussion item. Likely you will find some people more casual, and some dressed like you.</p>