<p>(or your child)
Suggestions for girls?</p>
<p>LOL, I’m in the same boat. I’m a girl as well. I don’t really have a preppy wardrobe, so I’m going with a batwing shirt, paint-splattered skinny jeans, and some high tops. Even though this will violate Choate’s dress code, I’m still going for it! 
But, seriously, the schools have already accepted you; is there really a need to go out of your way to impress them? Just be yourself and wear clothes you’re comfortable with!</p>
<p>I would try to impress your possible future school and classmates if it were me. I wouldn’t both with something formal, but still nice.</p>
<p>Just look classy. If the school is casual dress, just wear jeans and a button down for guys/ nothing formal. The most you should wear is a polo with kahkis. Idk about girls though</p>
<p>I’m wearing black jeans, a black blazer (with shoulder pads that make me look like a linebacker, but in a good way, if that’s possible) and a white v-neck shirt with a belt and some nice flats. I’d like to think I look like one of those 16-year old celebrity models going out for coffee! I love it though.</p>
<p>I’m just wearing a burgundy cardigan, a white blouse, dark wash jeans, and either boots or flats. I’m not sure yet.</p>
<p>@Goldenratio - Here is some motherly advice: I think you might want to re-think your wardrobe choice. I think it is a matter of respect to the school and to the students there that you follow their dress code when you revisit. I think your clothing choice would be fine if it was a weekend visit, but since you will be visiting classes, etc I would stay within the dress code. If you choose to attend Choate you will have to follow it every day, so you might as well start now :)</p>
<p>Our school specified the dress code for both parents AND students… we plan to follow that to the letter. It is a matter of respect.</p>
<p>I am revisiting Exeter on April 3rd, and I know you should follow the dress code… but does anyone know if there is anything in Exeter’s dress code regarding hair color? I have my hair dyed an electric blue and it would be a pain (and damaging to my hair) to dye it another color, but I definitely want to respect the school.</p>
<p>Is ALL of your hair dyed? Or just a streak (or part)… I am thinking that partial color would be all right. Of course, in the end, it comes down to the message you want to send, and how much you want others to judge you. Unfortunately, people DO judge others on appearances… at least the first impression. The “better” people continue onto the 2nd opinion! :-)</p>
<p>Seriously, if you are concerned, I think a quick email/call to admissions would get you a straight answer…</p>
<p>PS - GoldenRatio: following the dress code at revisit is also a good test for whether you can see yourself following it every day if you decide to attend. I think this is part and parcel of the prep school experience… so why not experience it fully. </p>
<p>Just my opinion! :-)</p>
<p>does anyone know if St.Marks allows black jeans?
I plan to stay within the dress code, they actually sent it to me to make sure I knew what it was, so I think the schools are expecting us to follow it.</p>
<p>I am planning on wearing a simple sundress and a cardigan (go spring!) but is that too formal?</p>
<p>@swimbikerun you may want to change the hair color from blue to red :-)</p>
<p>My daughter came home for prep Thanksgiving after E-A weekend with “temporary” red stripes in her hair. Took about 6 mos to wash out.</p>
<p>STRONG REMINDER FOR REVISIT DAY</p>
<p>Wear comfortable shoes. You may be walking miles. Bring layers for cold, possible rain or snow, since you will be walking outside around campus. There is yet another storm predicted for next week.</p>
<p>Give yourself plenty of time to get there and parking may be unusually far away (you may have effectively doubled the number of cars from revisiting families).</p>
<p>The best thing you can do before revisit day is check the online student handbook and see what the dress code is for class. For example, I’m pretty sure jeans are not classroom dress at ST. Marks. ( I could be wrong, but feel free to check ).</p>
<p>Further, these schools have been around for over 100 years and have deeply held traditions. Dress code is a big one. Follow it and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Obviously if the school is casual dress for class it’s different, but it’s still worth reading the handbook now to learn what’s acceptable and what’s not. </p>
<p>Also- There are still ways you can remain the wonderful unique person you are within a strict formal dress code! People have been finding ways ( without breaking rules ) for over 100 years… so let that be a challenge after you decide to attend. </p>
<p>And remember- There’s no such thing as a second introduction…</p>
<p>Part of the day is specified as “casual” for the kids (even said jeans/sneakers/tshirts), but my daughter will still err on the side of caution… wearing a nice shirt not a plain old tee. As has been mentioned: “you never get a second chance to make a first impression!”…</p>
<p>If adhering to a strict (or any) dress code is something you aren’t prepared to do, then you may want to re-evaluate whether such a school is a good fit for you… just sayin’.
:-)</p>
<p>And to get back to the OP question: I am pretty sure my daughter will be wearing a dress with a blazer, and leather flats. There is a chance that will change to a blazer with a button down blouse and a skirt, again with leather flats. Does that help any?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about keeping to the specifics of a dress code, you aren’t actually enrolled there yet, but keep roughly to it and wear something that will make a good impression.
The schools I revisited all had a uniform, so I wore dark, smart jeans, a plain top and a long cardigan.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for Exeter (although they may have a student handbook online you can consult) but every private school with a formal dress code I know bans “any hair color not found in nature” or some other stuffy way of saying that you can dye your hair blond or brown, but not blue or primary red. I’d be very pleasantly surprised if a school that made boys wear a tie to school every day allowed any student to have green hair, but I don’t know of any that do.</p>
<p>As for black jeans, as long as the basic look of your outfit is nice and presentable, no adult is going to scrutinize you too carefully. However, some of your future peers will be paying very close attention to your outfit’s details. The paint-spattered pants are going to get noticed and talked about, and not necessarily approvingly. I know I shouldn’t say this, but I’m always a little pleased when I see kids on tours or at re-visit who haven’t quite fallen into the boarding school preppy zombie look yet. But I’m a bit of an iconoclast, and I do know other adults and children who get ruffled when an admitted student isn’t adhering to the preppy handbook. </p>
<p>How you dress is up to you, but know that others will have an opinion of your choices.</p>