<p>I am taking my child to interviews in January at 8-10 boarding schools. While much has been said about what the kids should wear. What about a father? Is coat and tie necessary? Since it will be cold, what about slacks, a button down shirt, and a heavy coat? I assume jeans are not ok? I haven't had to wear a pair of slacks in over 10 years... my wardobe is basically jeans and some rarely worn khakis (about once a year). Just wanted to confirm a parent's dress code before I go out and buy 4-5 pairs of slacks and a sportscoat.</p>
<p>A tie isn’t necessary at a casual school such as Concord Academy, but you’ll probably want to wear one with a coat at schools with more formal dress codes.</p>
<p>In my opinion, a tie, shirt, sport coat, and slacks are mandatory for a father to wear to the interview. You are dressing for respect of the institution and the occasion.</p>
<p>I’m with Granny. Most of the schools actually address this on their admissions sites/sections. You will want to honor the dress code when visiting, as well. My dh’s visiting wardrobe improved when our daughter started BS ;-P</p>
<p>Depending on how many schools you’re visiting at a time, you should be fine with dress khakis or slacks and a sportcoat or the classic blue blazer – since each school will see you only the one time, and not remember what you were wearing come revisit day, there is no need to go overboard. If you won’t have time to, say, launder shirts, a couple of spares might be handy.</p>
<p>They are not interviewing you. Be yourself.Wear what you want and be secure with it.</p>
<p>I disagree. They ARE interviewing you. You’ll be sitting alone in a room with an AO after your child interviews. You don’t want to look like you forgot where you were going that day. And the AO will be dressed in the school dress code or some other professional attire. </p>
<p>“Dress casual” okay (e.g. nice jeans or khakis and a sportcoat), but this is not a time to look like you don’t care about the process. Yes, it’s mostly about your kid. But the schools will want to know you support your kid’s application, and one way to reinforce that support is to dress appropriately for the situation.</p>
<p>Business casual is fine. Nice buttoned shirt and khakis or cords, maybe a sweater if the weather warrants it. I would say no to jeans and no to sneakers. I don’t think a jacket and tie is necessary. My husband didn’t wear one and son was still accepted to all schools he applied to.</p>
<p>When parents present themselves at the admissions office, they will be interviewed…perhaps for no longer than 5 minutes…but they will be asked a question or two, even if it just about the weather or the trip to the school.</p>
<p>@OP Dad, you’re getting the picture! Whether one agrees or disagrees about jeans (I’ve seen some pretty spiffy looking dads in waiting rooms, in jeans, good loafers and nice shirts and jackets), I think we’ll all agree that you can’t go wrong dressing up. And that also means—no sneakers!</p>
<p>Now that I think about it, I take back my “no jeans” comment and agree with girlgeekmom that nice jeans can be spiffed up. Honestly, the adcoms see folks from all walks of life.</p>
<p>I would second the no jeans or sneakers. My husband could only make 3 interviews and on 2 he wore khakis, blue oxford shirt, blue blazer and tassel loafers. On the 3rd interview he met us there on his way back from a business trip and had a suit on. He felt overdressed.</p>
<p>I was just thinking about that, HarvestMoon. I did see a very few dads in suits, and wondered if they felt overdressed, or if they were trying to prove something. Some of the mothers were dressed to the nines, as well. Made me feel like a dowdy bumpkin, which is funny, since I’m originally a city gal. Been a long time in the hinterlands, though. My husband only came to revisit days, and dressed according to the dress code, so at PEA he wore a jacket and tie, but at Emma he wore slacks and a nice shirt and tie, but no jacket, iirc.</p>
<p>I just asked my wife if I ever wore a tie to the visits/interviews…and I think the answer is no. I did generally wear a sport coat and slacks with a button front shirt (button-down is the wrong nomenclature in my book, referring to a specific collar style). I think I wore dark, dressier jeans at one or two schools…but looked nice enough to go to most restaurants. I would say that my daughter was generally dressed a click or two nicer than her mom and I…which I think is correct.</p>
<p>@ SevenDad “(button-down is the wrong nomenclature in my book, referring to a specific collar style)”</p>
<p>Yes, and I’ve often wished my husband liked 'em. I’ve washed (and wrecked) more collar stays than I care to think about. Obviously, I am not a laundry goddess.</p>
<p>Exeter was formal. My daughter felt overdressed at St. Paul’s (in her debate suit) where many were in khakis and underdressed at Exeter later that afternoon. But honestly - we were at Exeter on what I euphemistically call “Wall Street Day” because of the bankers with their mini clones down to the matching wing-tipped shoes (I’ve pointed this out to Exeter and they laughed so I’m safe saying it here).</p>
<p>Honestly - be comfortable. No jeans (students on campus and faculty don’t wear them). But a jacket, khakis and a nice shirt will be fine. No tie needed unless you usually wear them. Bring a tie with you and slap it on at Exeter. (But the fact that you have to should say a lot). :)</p>
<p>I’d say dress nice enough for a upscale restaurant.</p>
<p>If wearing a suit and tie (you do have one from your wedding) saves money, I’d say wear those.
You need the money saved after DC gets in the school.</p>
<p>Great responses. So slacks, button-downs, and a coat for all… and a tie at Exeter.
This is waaaayyy overdressing for me. </p>
<p>As for my daughter, we are 2 different animals. In fact when we started this process my first question was formal/uniform or no dress code. She is emphatically a formal/uniform kind of gal. Odd that we are soooo different, but true.</p>
<p>One thing that I’ll say that applies to students and parents alike: If it feels too much like a costume, it’ll probably look like one, and you’ll probably feel uncomfortable. I mean, if the kid is a sweatpants and t-shirt sort of person, then I would advise getting comfortable with some level of costume…because you have to at least comply with dress code.</p>
<p>You got it, URM. Just one point, made by 7Dad, since you are a self-described “non-dress-up” guy: “button-down” refers to a button-front shirt that also has buttons on the collar points to hold it down, as opposed to a button-front dress shirt that has plastic or metal “stays” in a little pocket on the underside of the collar. The goal of both systems is to keep those collar points from curling up.</p>
<p>Its your choice which style to wear. Just a laundry tip if you wear a non-button-down dress shirt… take out the collar stays before you wash 'em!</p>
<p>Good luck with the next couple of months. Sounds like you and your daughter have a lot going on, with tours, interviews and completing apps.</p>
<p>If you are not really a button-front shirt sort of person, I would start with a button-down collar variant…collar stays will just be another headache for you and the collars don’t lay right if you don’t have stays in. Yes, I did work in the fashion industry for a short stint…</p>