<p>So I'm going to make a trip to either brooks brothers or Ralph Lauren and I'm wondering whether I should get pleated or flat front khaki shorts. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I double checked with my son and he confirmed what I’ve seen on grounds when I’m there, definitely flat front. Having said that, although UVa has an age-old reputation for being preppy, that’s just what it is…an age old reputation. Today’s students are far more individual and confident in their own style. Some still dress ‘guys in ties & girls in pearls’ for football games, while just as many opt for a newer tradition of ‘the sea of orange’ and wear UVa t’shirts or jerseys. There are over 14k undergraduates on grounds and you’ll see just about every style of dress. Wear what you’re most comfortable in.</p>
<p>Personally I prefer flat front, pleats are a bit old man-ish on me.</p>
<p>Blue is right unless you are set on Greek life then you really should stick to the ultra preppy.</p>
<p>This kind of post only reinforces UVA’s reputation as preppy (or worse). Boarding school to UVA, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren,… How about showing a little individuality?</p>
<p>LOL! Why not be an individual?</p>
<p>I really don’t appreciate it when someone takes a condescending tone to the prep lifestyle. Never have I seen a fellow prep act superior or better than a non prep. Besides conformity promotes a learning environment and elimates distractions.</p>
<p>“Besides conformity promotes a learning environment and elimates distractions.”</p>
<p>Can you expand on that one for me? I don’t get it.</p>
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<p>Think about private school uniforms - when everyone looks the same there’s no gossip about who is wearing what, etc. No distractions in the classroom.</p>
<p>^ Which is appropriate in grade school, not for adults in a university environment. To suggest that individuality is a distraction in higher education is absurd.</p>
<p>I made a point of wearing pajamas around grounds as much as possible. I even went downtown in pajamas multiple times. I am sure people thought I was crazy but hey UVA needs a bit more hoodie/sweatpants casualness going on.</p>
<p>My son streaked down the Lawn during his first week. Obviously, the pleats vs. flat choice was moot that night. I wonder if he wore Brooks Brothers socks?</p>
<p>This topic comes up almost every year. Perhaps I need to repeat my informal survey of student clothing again.</p>
<p>[Notes</a> from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: Fitting in at UVa](<a href=“http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2010/12/fitting-in-at-uva.html]Notes”>Notes from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: Fitting in at UVa)</p>
<p>robertr, thank you for making me laugh!</p>
<p>I think that the feeling of condescension is always subjective. Being in a constant preppy environment will just attune one to thinking that there’s really no rudeness going on. I’ve seen it happen. It’s an automatic wiring in the brain. You just get habituated to the environment like that.</p>
<p>Most of the students seem to wear what is comfortable to them. On days with exams, people tend to wear sweats and sweatshirts. On days where they feel refreshed and relaxed, they tend to get a bit more dressy. </p>
<p>Also, virtuoso1, there’s a Social Psychology (PSYC 2600) class taught by Dr. Timothy Wilson that I think you may find interesting.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help…from some of you. Does anyone know where to get Ralph Lauren in cville? In particular, their sport shirts.</p>
<p>There is a kind of dumpy little mall north up 29 from UVA called Fashion Square Mall that can be reached by getting on the Route 5 or Route 7 CAT bus (or if you have/know someone with a car). They have a department store called Belk there that carries Ralph Lauren.</p>
<p>Belk’s selection is going to be hit or miss. You’re going to do much better with the RL website, or better yet hitting one of their outlets.</p>
<p>[Men’s</a> Shirts: Sport, Polo and Plaid Shirts from Ralph Lauren](<a href=“http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2498319&cp=1760781&ab=ln_men_cs1_sportshirts]Men’s”>http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2498319&cp=1760781&ab=ln_men_cs1_sportshirts)</p>
<p>To be honest, you may want to hold off on buying a ton of new stuff right before school. Most of the college students I know changed their preferences for brands slightly (if not more) between high school and college. I know my oldest two did.</p>
<p>Eljos - [Eljos.com</a> - Custom Care Since 1950](<a href=“http://www.eljos.com/]Eljos.com”>http://www.eljos.com/)
The Young Men’s Shop - [The</a> Young Mens Shop Inc. Home Page](<a href=“http://www.ymsclothiers.com%5DThe”>http://www.ymsclothiers.com)
The Mens & Boys Shop - [Men</a> & Boy’s Shop - Charlottesville, VA](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/men-and-boys-shop-charlottesville]Men”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/men-and-boys-shop-charlottesville)</p>
<p>and [Albemarle</a> Angler](<a href=“http://albemarleangler.com/]Albemarle”>http://albemarleangler.com/) for Barbour…but you probably aren’t ready for Barbour at 17. :)</p>
<p>@clickflash, some of us who have lived in Charlottesville for several decades (or more!) would be perfectly happy if we never had a mall bigger than “dumpy” little Fashion Square. Some of us remember when Leggett (now Belk) was at Barrack’s Road and how when Fashion Square was built it was considered so far up 29. Charlottesville has grown exponentially over the years, and it is not necessarily all for the better. There are plenty of places for people to get their clothing needs met. And, before long, all the high end stores one could ever hope for (and more traffic)will be here as well.</p>