<p>If money is an issue - Thrift stores (find the ones that get high end donations) can be a money saver. You can buy a “uniform” with tags still on it for not much money. That way if you don’t wear it again, you haven’t invested much. Or - in the alternative - even a certain Presidential hopeful said, post loss, that he likes the shirts his wife buys him at Costco. He’s a millionaire, so it just goes to show - you don’t have to spend a lot to look good. (But honestly - as long as you’re not in jeans, you aren’t going to be judged by the clothes on your back - just the content of your character and your attitude).</p>
<p>Tie or no tie, slacks or khakis, IMHO it is more important to wear clean and tidy cloths in good repair than to dress in torn or wrinkled suits. We visited six schools in November, many of which are the same as those in OP’s list, and I wore shirts (no tie), jacket and slacks and I felt I was one of the overdressed. Also, IMHO again, (dis)respect is more easily displayed by demeanor, language, or posture than outfits.</p>
<p>Yes I agree with mostly everybody here, wear a nice shirt, tie, pants, sports coat, etc. Look at it from this perspective, how would you feel if a student came dressed nicely, but the parent did not. Would you not be taken aback by the seemingly “raggedy” parent, who dresses their kid nice but not themselves? Not to say that YOUR ragedy but it was just part of the expression.</p>
<p>Remember that the WHOLE family is being observed at the campus visit/interview</p>
<p>I would recommend being true to yourself, while showing respect for the institution. From some of your earlier posts, it seems Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, Groton, etc. are possibly on your list. Khakis, a button-front shirt, a sport coat, and a tie would not stand out among the parents. Many men may wear suits to the interviews, so you’re not likely to be overdressed. </p>
<p>No jeans, no sneakers, and the clothes should be in good repair. If you’re a confident sort of person, a tie, button-front shirt, and a nice sweater could also be appropriate. A nice sweater would be plain, natural fibers. Look at the Lands End or J Crew catalogs for inspiration as to preppy style. (I just write that because Christmas is coming, and I’ve received some really ugly sweaters with kittens, sequins, and candy canes from relatives over the years. While such sweaters would make one stand out, you don’t want the office to remember you for your sweater. Or, at least, it’s a risky tactic.)</p>
<p>We all laughed at an extended family dinner recently, as the four fathers of teens did not wear ties, while their sons wore ties.</p>
<p>If your child gets admitted to one of these schools, exactly what do you plan to wear to graduation? Jeans??</p>
<p>@granny2, are you addressing me?</p>
<p>We currently have two children at boarding schools. Graduation is a much more formal affair than a child’s admissions interview, although at both events, the focus should be on the teenager, not the parents.</p>
<p>@Periwinkle, no, I was just addressing the topic in general.</p>
<p>My point was if his child is admitted and graduates, he should wear a tie and sport coat to graduation, so why not purchase this wardrobe now?</p>
<p>This thread is titled, “Dress code for parents.”</p>
<p>Good point, GMTplus7. The whole family is being evaluated. One of the subliminal things being looked at is who is ready to “fit in” on day one. Which is why - when in doubt, middle of the road. Business casual. </p>
<p>I always told students going for a job interview - act like you’ve already gotten the job: Confident and dressed as if you’re are ready to start immediately.</p>
<p>okay, when I read the title of this thread, I thought maybe…just maybe boarding schools were now accepting enrollment of parents, and it was in regard to the dress code. If Lawrenceville would start accepting parents, I would adhere to any dress code required…darn, I now know that it was just wishful thinking, no parents accepted, not yet anyhow…:)</p>
<p>Love it, RBGG! I was thinking about a new type of retirement community that looks just like BS but with more lavish dorm rooms and classes with no tests/grades. Admission would be based on you AARP score. ;)</p>
<p>Sign me up! Three hots and a cot, with amenities. As long as there’s no dress code.</p>
<p>When I went with D to her Taft interview, the first thing I said after five minutes on campus was “I want a do over!” :)</p>
<p>Going into mourning when she graduates for sure! They are really nice to parents.</p>