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I’m just happy to get my dh not to wear dark socks with his shorts. Now I’m supposed to get him out of socks all together?! :eek:</p>
<p>LOL these last few posts were funny…Freshmen year we saw quite a few outfits in 100 degree weather, no air and a tiny dorm room.
Fast forward two years to the move last weekend to S’s first apartment. Again 100 degree weather, no air and a very old apartment building. H did look like he was dressed to mow the lawn LOL, but no one cared since we were the only ones moving in that day.
I did help with getting his clothes put away (probably the only time they will be folded and not on the floor) and showed him where I put things. Next day I get the call asking where something was…some things never change.</p>
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<p>I truly didn’t notice what anyone was wearing when we were moving in…but the next morning, when all the parents were fresh and showered and sitting in an auditorium…yes, I noticed the running clothes and black socks.</p>
<p>We had a '70’s flashback when moving D2 in to her west-coast school. I saw enough waist-length, gray braids (both sexes), birkenstocks and long hippie skirts to last a life-time. (None of these sartorial choices - other than the sandals - were reflected in the incoming freshmen)</p>
<p>The only tips I can offer dads, having watched my H during move-in: When the fraternity boys swarm your car and haul everything up three flights, and you notice them eyeing your daughter’s backside as she leads the way: Don’t try to spread the rumor that she’s only 15. She’s a young adult and prefectly able to fend off those who need fending off.</p>
<p>I don’t know that saying she’s only fifteen would help much anyway!</p>
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<p>Being half an hour from Austin, we had a few of those, too.</p>
<p>Re: saying she’s 15 - back in the day that was the “jailbait” number… not sure if today’s college students know anything about that.</p>
<p>For the record: I don’t mind converse with socks of any color.</p>
<p>I don’t mind what anyone wears.</p>
<p>And kids do know what jailbait means.</p>
<p>I saw all kinds of garb at move-in and freshman convocation and the all family buffet, including the mothers in outfits that only a female their freshman daughter’s age should try to get away with. And, yes there were dads (and moms) who were wearing not very spiffy outfits. </p>
<p>Come to think of it, I wasn’t a real fashion plate. I do recall offering my help to another student and her family in toting some stuff up the stairs when I walked up without anything in my hands. They accepted my assistance. I wonder if they were secretly snickering because I was in a T-shirt?</p>
<p>I still have all the college freshman binder info and looked through it. Couldn’t find anything on suggested/requested/required parental attire. I guess I got used to not placing a lot of stock on how someone’s parents dress since my S’s private school had Ross Perot’s grandkids as well as full scholarship kids with a single parent who could have outfitted herself and her student for a year with what one of the “have’s” outfits cost. </p>
<p>At the HS football games I saw a VIP of a major real estate company whose kid was the quarterback in a pair of shoes that I recognized cost him over $300 in 1999 sitting with the father of an offensive lineman who had come straight from work in his FedEx delivery man’s shirt. They were having a good time. The moms were sitting together too. The lineman’s mom was in very inexpensive strech capri pants. The quarterback’s mom was Henry S. Miller’s daughter Jackie. Linen pants. Major $$$$$$$$. Turned out they always sat together at the games.</p>
<p>I was glad that all the parents at the college move-in didn’t look like they were stamped out of the same mold. Seriously, is this “appropriate garb” something you all think those college freshman kids were even aware of? I’ll ask my S tomorrow what I was wearing that Saturday or what he recalls any parent wearing that day. </p>
<p>Did any of you actually mention your observations about the other kid’s parents’ attire to your college freshman? What in the world did your kid say to that???</p>
<p>I kind of thought college was a place where there was tolerance for “differences.” Do any of you remember Lily Tomlin’s “the Taseful Lady?” Maybe we could see what she thinks.</p>
<p>BTW–believe me, if you have raised a son, he needed to know what “jailbait” was long before freshman move-in!</p>
<p>Why would people get dressed up for move-in? You’re going to get dirty and sweaty! I did try not to embarrass S1 and wore capris insterad of shorts, but I did wear a t-shirt. I brought clean clothes for Convocation, but there wasn’t enough time to get changed <em>and</em> get seats inside the chapel. I was not the only one still in Move-In attire.</p>
<p>Besides, right after Convocation, the parents get to take their leave of the kids. Went back to the hotel, took a cool shower and a nap. I did dress up to go out with DH for dinner.</p>
<p>P.S. DH wears white tube socks. Does not wear shorts.</p>
<p>C’mon 07 Dad, you know I’m not talking about the expense of the clothes or even the stylishness of the clothes…but do people really pack for a weekend away from home and only bring their workout or yard work clothes? Do you really feel comfortable on a Saturday night at the President’s Reception dressed to do yard work? Just pull the unstained, unripped t-shirt out of the pile…</p>
<p>Sorry, but I think work clothes are fine when move in is in order.</p>
<p>I am going to be a little more embarrassed the next time I encounter all of you fashion police.</p>
<p>Although I am always in a skirt because I left my svelte body at home. Maybe until I get a new body I should avoid move-in. Hm.</p>
<p>My kids seem to love me and desire my present all the same.</p>
<p>And my S wears dark socks with converses too. I guess some would need to avert their eyes.</p>
<p>We met the parents, and the only one who seemed out of place was the “fancy lady” who kept stressing that she was on the board of a very prestigious New York City institution. Also she was very concerned about study abroad on move-in day. </p>
<p>No one else was elite or fussy.</p>
<p>My response to dads: Where what you’re comfortable in. We’re happy to have you to carry the boxes up four flights of stars. The first year I went, but the second year I realized I was not needed or helpful.</p>
<p>I have no idea how the other moms views my handsome husband. He does wear socks with converse, and even worse, has a lumpy pair of black walking shows he adores.</p>
<p>I feel like I’m in an alternate reality - for every time I say wear whatever you want for move in, but don’t wear work clothes to the parents’ events the next day, five people post that you should wear whatever you want for move in. I agree.</p>
<p>Who mentioned the need for fashion police? And when was it ever said anyone should care what anyone wears for move-in and schlepping stuff up and down stairs? Common sense applies here and I think people are so busy responding (and frankly, name-dropping) that they aren’t actually reading. Talk about judgement? The pot calling the kettle black quickly comes to mind.</p>
<p>So let’s clarify, shall we?</p>
<p>1) No one cares what you wear to move your kid into his/her college dorm room. If a muscle shirt and mankini shorts are what you are comfortable in, good for you. If you are happy in tanks top and running shorts, go for it. </p>
<p>2) If there is no reason or invitation by the college administration to hang around, by all means, get in your chevy and leave.</p>
<p>3) If there ARE invitations and they are to immediately follow move-in times, than surely there is no need to be a quick change artist in your car as these events are probably geared towards going from point A (move in) to point B (event). But perhaps, especially if it’s extremely hot and you are a heavy sweater, just maybe, you would feel more comfortable if you could exchange one sweaty t-shirt for a fresh one. Now if you could care less about being considerate to those forced to smell you, that’s certainly your choice.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, in our case, move in is from 9am-3pm. President’s reception for parents is at his home at 6pm. There are also meetings etc the following morning. Are we suggesting that noone would notice or care if I would wear the same sweaty clothes to all of it? How about doing it because I would feel more comfortable if I put on a little lipstick and ran a comb thru my hair before meeting the president of the university?</p>
<p>This is not an argument of the haves and the haves-not. Even someone who only has two outfits for all year has one outfit that might be able to come to the weekend clean. However, given the time made available, I will change into something reasonably respectful of the man’s position and the time of day. I won’t be “judging” anyone. Being reasonably appropriate has absolutely nothing with money. Believe me, a trophy wife of a fortune 500 CEO can be walking around in most expensive of fashions clothes looking pretty darn inappropriate, so the mere SUGGESTION to bring an extra t-shirt has nothing to do with income. </p>
<p>Relax people.</p>
<p>Sorry missypie. We didn’t have a next day. We got shooed away and the kids went to dinner and that was that.</p>
<p>I am sorry I am sending you to an alternate reality. I want you here in this reality.</p>
<p>I still don’t care what people wear, well just about ever, but I do see your point and see that it’s a different point.</p>
<p>But then I went to Woodstock where I wore my boyfriend’s football jersey the whole time. Just that!! Good thing I’m only 5’2" so it really was alright. </p>
<p>I was hot. I think I’m strange. Well, I was 18 and wanted to be connected to him. Hm. I’m glad we grow up.</p>
<p>I just really don’t get the no socks and sneakers thing. I would think that without socks the sneakers get unwearable pretty fast.</p>
<p>I don’t care where the clothes come and really don’t care what people wear. I do however notice. Why? Don’t know. Just notice what others wear. I’m the type of person who when watching a movie will say “Hey I like those shoes.” Just something I notice. Doesn’t mean I care that they “outfit” came from Kmart or Macys. I do think however if you are attending an “event” after move in and it’s not right after there could potentially be some time to freshen things up. I will notice the socks and shoes – won’t say anything although after this thread I may need to giggle a bit 
for me if it’s hot it’s sandals anyway with no socks but that is my preference.</p>
<p>LOL, I get the idea that some folks are going to pack their rattiest clothes for move in weekend, just to spite me. Sorry students and faculty, but all the black socks may be my fault.</p>
<p>If this detour has done anything, maybe it will make everyone who has a trip yet to make pause for a few minutes to think about what to bring for themselves. We spent two nights in a hotel and I think Husband and I spent all of *90 seconds *packing for ourselves - as opposed to the months of checklists, shopping and packing for our son. Both of us forgot to bring a few things that we normally don’t travel without. </p>
<p>If you’ve got some nervous energy to use, make a little list for yourselves, so you’ll remember your prescription meds, swim suit for the hotel pool, etc.</p>
<p>Missypie, that is a great idea. I realized that I’m so caught up in what to pack for our D that I’ve completely forgotten that I’m going on a trip as well. Time to make my own little list!</p>
<p>We are flying from CA to MA and only have one move-in day: move-in starts at 8 am, parent’s orientation from 1-3, then bye-bye parents. Since we are taking a cab from the hotel to the school for the day, I’ll have to find a happy medium between sweats and pumps, but then I’m mostly a dark jeans, nice blouse and sensible shoes gal anyway. As for my DH, I’m so thrilled that he’s coming along that he can show up in whatever he wants, just as long as he’s there to give me a hug for that dreaded moment when we say goodbye to our D and leave campus.</p>
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<p>For those parents who are driving a substantial distance, I suggest spending some time googling possible places on the return where you (and your spouse if both are going) can spend a moment (or longer) of personal enjoyment. I agree with **missypie **that sometime it is easy to forget YOU in all the doing for your student.</p>
<p>Just stopping at Sonic for a cherry limeade on the way out of town (after all that heat!) made the trip home so much better.</p>