<p>With just two weeks away until we drop off our firstborn, the organizing and packing is about to begin in earnest (we've been futzing around all summer, but not really in any serious way).</p>
<p>And so here's my question for parents of girls who are at schools with a formal-ish dress code: How much to bring?</p>
<p>How many shirts?
How many pants?
How many sweaters/cardigans?
How many skirts?
How many dresses?
How many pairs of shoes?
How many warm coats/jackets (outerwear)?</p>
<p>And then, how many casual (non-dress) outfits?</p>
<p>The washers & dryers at her school are free, and I figured that doing laundry once a week was realistic, and that you can't really get more than one wear out of top, but a few out of pants/skirts. </p>
<p>I don't want her to bring too much (clutter)...and too little is easy to fix since we are relatively close. Student input welcome!</p>
<p>For example, is 1 pair of cords, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of cargo pants, and 2 pairs of shorts too many weekend/non-dress bottoms?</p>
<p>Anxious dads worry about stuff like this…;-)</p>
<p>Sevendad, I am a newbie parent, too. But the school (also pretty formal) my son is going to sent a specific list of clothes items to bring. Below is what they recommend for girls. To be honest, I think we will be sending along a bit more than this.</p>
<p>Clothing Suggestions for Girls:</p>
<p>Dress Jackets or appropriate sports coat (1)
Collared Dress shirt (5-8)
Lightweight jackets and sweaters (2-3) (My D who is attending a different school in the fall has packed maybe 8 or 9 sweaters like this… hopefully not too many!)
Collared casual shirts and turtlenecks (5-8)
Skirts of suitable length (3-6)
Dresses of suitable length and design (2-3)
Slacks: corduroy, wool, khaki tailored, etc. (3-5) (We are packing like 6 for school and then probably 3 jeans and some sweats, once again hopefully not going over the top, here!)
Rainwear, including boots and hat
Heavy winter coat and/or ski parka
Undergarments
Warm nightgowns or pajamas, warm bathrobe and slippers
Sneakers, winter or hiking boots, casual shoes and dress shoes.</p>
<p>Hope this helps… and don’t worry- anxious moms worry about this, too.</p>
<p>@hockeymom18: Phwew! Thanks for that list. I feared we were going to be overpacking, but I think we’re doing well in relation to the suggested quants on your list. I don’t think our D’s school was that specific how much of every garment to bring, but I could have missed something in all the paperwork. Thanks again. Oh, and you have a PM.</p>
<p>SevenDad,</p>
<p>I don’t have an exact number but I do know that girls “borrow and trade” clothes - especially formal wear if those dinners and dances are frequent. We overpacked and had literally half her wardrobe in the bags. </p>
<p>Try this - take what you think is realistic. Any excess can be stored under her bed or taken back home after you’ve helped her unpack her room. Then on the first parent weekend swap out what she needs for what she doesn’t. On my first visit I took items she was missing, and took home a suitcase filled with casual shirts, etc. that she didn’t need (thank goodness for Southwest and it’s free baggage!) And then once we knew the weather, went shopping for a coat that fit her needs better and some rainboots.</p>
<p>So pack mostly for class (Taft is business casual) and then a few clothes for weekend and "off times.).</p>
<p>Good luck and congratulations!</p>
<p>My d is a a school with no formal dress code, but coming from the rural west she was pretty surprised by how formal even the casual wear is in the east. So she went in with just a few things and we added as her needs and her new sense of style evolved. Lots of shopping this summer – more than last. I suggest keeping in simple and then adding at parent’s weekend, Thanksgiving, etc.</p>
<p>I have a different dilemma. My D’s school has a pretty formal dress code - blazer, button down and dress skirt/pants with leather shoes. I am puzzled as to whether to buy a more dressy raincoat/trench coat for dressy days, and what kind of coat to wear over her blazer in the winter. Not so much concerned about functionality, but what the other kids will be wearing.</p>
<p>Luckily she is a day student this year - I can’t imagine packing for the fall, sight unseen of what the other kids will bring.</p>
<p>surfcity - A peacoat would be a good option for your daughter for winter.</p>
<p>sevendad - My advice would be to lean towards less clothes to start out. You may find that her preferences and tastes will change and then you can add pieces to her wardrobe later.</p>
<p>Peacoat is perfect. We took coats but my daughter and husband finally picked out a peacoat during our winter visit. Perfect for formal or casual use and she said it was really warm.</p>
<p>In New England you need a good warm wool, preferably down or thinsulated coat. Mid-Atlantic, you probably could go with wool. I would agree with those who say NOT to overdo the clothing. The freshman rooms most places are relatively SMALL. Closets are generally small, and yes, a trick is to make maximum use of under the bed storage, but still, keep in mind, you’re better off rotating clothing. Bring what you need for fall. At Thanksgiving break, bring home any summer clothing and bring back heavy winter wear. In the spring (spring break), don’t wait til end of year, to start packing up things. Bring home a lot of the winter gear, not all as it still gets chilly with snow on the ground in spring.</p>
<p>So far, the things my daughter has needed the most is her rain boots! Luckily the school allows them to wear those trendy rainboots on days like we have been having. It has poured for the entire first week of school.</p>
<p>She is a day student, so we can still sneak in a shopping trip this weekend. I am amazed at how little time she has. She has stayed for dinner 2 nights this week and has had a lot of homework (not amazed at that) and tennis practice times have been moved around etc. However, she is so happy and it is all worth it!</p>