Fitting in at Boarding School

<p>Okay, so I'll be at Middlesex this fall (as a freshman that is NOT from the area). I've been thinking a lot about whether or not I'll fit in, being a middle class girl that has been to the area once (for my interviews/tours). I reccently moved from New Orleans to Edmonton, I know, big change. I had a hard time. I came from a place where very few girls did much hair or makeup, and clothes weren't very important to a place where EVERYONE spends lots of time on personal appearance. I was ostracized. I'm very worried that the same thing will happen at Middlesex. I don't have lots of money to spend on clothes (my mom and I have talked about maybe getting a few J.Crew or Banana Republic things and augmenting that with some less expensive Gap and Old Navy basics), and I don't know what the local styles are. In my mind, I would have had a much better time at my current school if I had known what to wear and ultimately made a better first impression. Does anyone have advice?</p>

<p>Having a teenage D going off to college and a S going to BS, I will try to hep you out.
When we went to MX for interview and revisit we saw mostly preppy outfits on the girls. They did not look overly done up. Their hair and makeup looked pretty natural to me.
The girls wore dresses, skirts, tees and sweaters. Didnt see too many pants. I did see a few in shorts. Now is a good time to shop d/t all the sales. I would look at Urban Outfitters, they have not too expensive stuff. Jcrew outlet is also a good place.<br>
Forever 21 is also popular for inexpensive stuff.</p>

<p>If BS is like jrBS, I think the kids hang out in sweats and gym type clothing after school anyway. One option you could do is to just get a few things to see what the kids are wearing and then have your Mom send you some stuff once you see what you like.</p>

<p>As far as fitting in, dont worry, you will find your nitch. Weather its the athletic girls, artsy girls or any other type i am unfamilar with.</p>

<p>From my personal experience, to be honest at bs most of the people, especially at the small-middle sized schools, most of the students are from the New England are. This being said majority of the students have the same style. Most students look like a Jcrew ad. However I’ve noticed that kids to not necessarily pay attention to what brand your clothes are, they only seemed to be concerned about whether or not those clothes look good on you. You also notice that people who are from the same regions in the US dress alike. At my bs, SPS, most girls never wear make-up unless there’s a dance or something, and honestly most of them don’t need to (you’ll find that there are a lot more “pretty people”). In addition, when there are no classes most people just relax in sweats and stuff. Also the longer time that you spend at BS your style starts to change and morph into the many New Englanders around you.</p>

<p>With all of this being said, I hope that when you shop with your mom for school clothes please make sure that you buy stuff that fits your personality and not what you think people at Middlesex will be wearing. You don’t want to be another clone.</p>

<p>thankyou! I WON’T be another clone, my friends will tell you that I’m too “individualistic” (read as spazzy) for that. So basically places like J.Crew etc. are a good place to start? That’s easy. Still very nervous.</p>

<p>Izzy! I’m nervous too! Not so much about the clothes thing but just about meeting and making new friends in general!!</p>

<p>get some preppy stuff but not too preppy. You don’t want to seem like your trying hard to fit in. When I revisited at MX the kids were casual with their appearances, but they were still dressed nicely.</p>

<p>It’s cold in New England. Warm boots/footwear that can be warn all the time is a must. No three-inch heels or fancy leathers; just an ankle or calf-high insulated soft something. Uggs were a godsend to New England campuses, but I don’t know if they are passe.</p>

<p>i have uggs (like the first time that i’m happy to have moved to northern canada). not really into heels except for special occasions. more into flats/flipflops/converse/uggs. okay…and this fitting in thing goes for other stuff too. like i’m not rich or anything.</p>

<p>Izzy my daughter goes to a different school (Kent) and she found that there were a variety of different styles and types of people. The girls in her dorm shared clothes left and right (the only rule was that if it was something new the owner wore it first). The clothing brands ran the gamut from super prep to artsy. The girls had lots of fun with the clothes in all price points from Forever 21 to Rugby. Some of the girls had endless allowances and some of the girls were on strict budgets; they all seemed to have fun with the clothes!</p>

<p>thanks! I really hope it’s like that at mx…i have some nice things, just not a lot of them.</p>

<p>Middlesex is pretty chill about clothing. Everyone looks put together but there is no single style that you have to adhere to. The class dress code basically gives you a good idea about what everyone wears.</p>

<p>Just be yourself. Clothing is not the most important thing to a lot of people. Your style might end up changing while attending school. Just make sure to be friendly and outgoing and I’m sure people will like you.</p>

<p>I go to a jr boarding school and I’d definitely recommend getting a big bag (like a longchamp) just to throw stuff in at school… one of the most useful things. Some people do the whole polo/rugby/VV/lilly thing but as long as you look good in it you can buy whatever. Check out j.crew outlets and RL outlets for really good cheap stuff</p>