<p>Do freshman at Grinnell need suits or formal wear? My kids at other colleges did, which was quite a surprise to me. I ask now because my son, who owns neither a suit nor a jacket, is renting a tux to wear to a prom at a store that offers a significant discount on suits to tux-renters, so now would be a good time to buy a suit or jacket if he will need one at Grinnell.</p>
<p>I’ll be interested to hear what others say. Probably people who play in the orchestra need something formal. There are dances, waltz nights, I think, where one <em>could</em> dress formally, just for fun, but I can’t imagine it’s required. Grinnell is a pretty casual place. There are a couple of re-sale shops in town where my student likes to acquire cheap fashion statements. My vote is your son won’t need a suit. Save your money, honey!</p>
<p>The only time you might need formal wear is on occasions such as Grinnell-Link or at Winter or Spring Waltz. But even on those occasions you don’t really need a suit or a jacket. Or as bethievt said if you are part of the orchestra or Grinnell Singers.</p>
<p>My S, 6"+, looked lovely, so I understand, in a full-length formal lavender, off-the-shoulder number that he wore last year for the Mary B. James party, a cross-dressing dance of long-standing. I believe he got it at a local thrift shop. He refuses to send any pictures, so I have had to take this on faith from the girlfriend.</p>
<p>So yes, you will need formal wear occasionally…</p>