<p>I've heard several people complaining that they don't know what to wear for their interviews on here, so I decided to help you all out.
Girls- Wear a nice, conservative black or navy skirt or pant suit with a white oxford. Accessorize with a light silver or pearl necklace and black or navy flats or very low heels. Wear your hair in a neat bun. Don't use any cloying perfume or shampoo. I recommend you wear some hair spray to keep the bun in place, but use some that doesn't smell to obvious.
Boys- Wear khakis, a black or navy sport coat, and a white oxford. Accessorize with a plain tie and black or brown dress shoes. As with the girls, don't use any obvious cologne or shampoo.
For both of you, follow the dress code if the school has one.
How</a> to Have a Successful Prep School Interview | eHow.com
Use this article for additional information. Best of luck with your interview!</p>
<p>In my opinion, you don’t need to dress quite so…banker-like…to make a good impression. Dressing nicely is important. I don’t think a blazer is necessary for boys–my son didn’t wear one–unless it’s part of the school dress code. A shirt and tie is probably a good idea though. Likewise, I think that while you certainly don’t want to wear anything racy or sloppy or too casual (like jeans), any nice outfit will do for girls. Let your own style and personality shine! And wear something you feel relatively comfortable in.</p>
<p>I agree that avoiding strong scents is a good idea.</p>
<p>My daughter wore skirts and sweaters to her interviews and she was completely fine - she looked neat and put-together, but she also looked like a 14-year-old. She styled her hair so that it was tidy and out of her face, but did not wear it in a bun. Overall, she looked nice and looked like herself.</p>
<p>I would definitely caution against buying clothes from some of the usual stores that are popular with teens. Land’s End Canvas was a great place for us to find skirts. There are two issues: the obvious one is that the skirt lengths and clothing styles need to be appropriate, but the other issue is that a kid has enough to think about in an interview without sitting there wondering if her skirt is riding up (there will not be a desk to hide anything).</p>
<p>Land’s End is definitely a great place to get skirts.
Here are some links to brands that sell appropriate interview clothing.
Girls- [New</a> Women’s Suits - New Women’s Suit Jackets, Pants Suits & Suit Separates - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/suiting.jsp?navLoc=left_nav]New”>http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/suiting.jsp?navLoc=left_nav)
[Women’s</a> Suits & Separates | Women’s Clothing at Talbots.com](<a href=“Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots”>Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots)
[Women’s</a> Casual Skirts at Lands’ End](<a href=“Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more”>Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more)
Boys- [Men’s</a> Sport Coats & Blazers at Lands’ End](<a href=“Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more”>Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more)
[Men’s</a> Shoes and Sandals at Lands’ End - Shop all-season styles.](<a href=“Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more”>Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more)
[Men’s</a> Sportcoats, Vests & Jackets - Men’s Jackets, Blazers & Suit Vests, Coats & Trench Coats - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/sportcoatsandvests.jsp?navLoc=left_nav]Men’s”>http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/sportcoatsandvests.jsp?navLoc=left_nav)</p>
<p>I agree with both classicalmama and friendlymom. We didn’t see any girls in buns…that is an odd choice for a 8th grader. Clean, neat hair is fine.</p>
<p>@HarvardRox:
There is a fine line between looking neat and presentable and looking like a prep robot or a “mini me” of a parent who dresses traditionally.</p>
<p>Also note that not everyone is going to have the money to J. Crew it up. A plain blue blazer there runs $200. If you are applying for fee waivers for applications and tests, spending over $400 just on a single interview outfit (aforementioned blazer plus shirt, shoes, pants/skirt) probably isn’t going to happen.</p>
<p>BTW, there was this thread from two application cycles ago…
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1045838-what-not-wear-prep-school-interview-edition.html?highlight=what+not+to+wear[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1045838-what-not-wear-prep-school-interview-edition.html?highlight=what+not+to+wear</a></p>
<p>Yes, I find pearls quite unnecessary for girls.</p>
<p>@fascination: If it’s something that is in their wardrobe already (or that they’ve borrowed from mom or an older sister for a nice occasion), then fine. But otherwise it’s a bit of costume. And if it feels too much like a costume, then that will probably be reflected in the student’s level of comfort during the interview.</p>
<p>Here’s a fairly good guideline: Wear what you might wear to dinner with your grandparents for a celebratory meal at a nicer restaurant (i.e. one that has tablecloths).</p>
<p>I agree with all of you. Those were just some basic suggestions. I think being a bit overdressed would be better than being underdressed. At least it shows you care about the interview.</p>
<p>I would definitely wear a suit! Definitely! The hair and accessories suggestions were just that-- suggestions!</p>
<p>Deciding what to wear should fit in with your purpose in interviewing with the school. You are there to show them what you bring to the table, and to determine if the school fits what you are looking for. Sure, you should look groomed, but you should absolutely look like yourself. Wear an outfit that you can comfortably walk in, possibly over long stretches, and maybe not strictly on sidewalks. Wear something you can sit comfortably in without picking at your clothes. I believe that Harvardrox was only trying to be helpful, but her suggestions are too limiting to be taken without many modifications. Occasionally at the boarding school where I teach, we see kids on tours dressed like mini bankers, and we feel so sorry for them. These are the kids who also tend to look terrified or unhappy, and are usually trying to project an image of something they are not. I would advise against dressing in a manner that erases all clues as to your personality.</p>
<p>As you know, unscented hairspray is not going to get you into boarding school. Your interests, your curiosity, your hard work, your sense of kindness, generosity, and humor, and your grades and test scores are what matters. Do not waste too much time worrying about what to wear, and do not waste Any time feeling superior to the kids who show up for interviews in jeans and tshirts. You might be surprised who gets admitted in the end. </p>
<p>…But just to be safe, skip the jeans, shorts, and tees.
Beyond that, trust yourself and your parents.</p>
<p>@Harvardrox, didn’t you say you were in sixth grade earlier, in this thread
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/726533-phillips-academy-andover-27.html#post13960470[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/726533-phillips-academy-andover-27.html#post13960470</a></p>
<p>But here, you say you are in eighth grade
<a href=“Andover Chances?? - Prep School Chances - College Confidential Forums”>Andover Chances?? - Prep School Chances - College Confidential Forums;
<p>You also claim to have made spelling bee nationals, without going to the state championships.
Sorry if I’m over reacting, I just think something weird is going on.</p>
<p>Agree with aim in dress is neat appearance. Just FYI, last Columbus Day weekend, my daughter was interviewing at Deerfield Academy. The girls with suits looked very out of place. At first I thought my daughter was underdressed wearing a dress with a nice jersey knit sweater on top, and flats. Then all the student guides showed up to give tours. Every single one of the DA tour guides that day had nice little dressers with sweaters on top and flats or sandles…:)</p>
<p>It honestly doesn’t matter if you overdress. If a school is basing admission off the fact that someone wore a coat wrather than a blazer, then that is a pretty rediculous institution. For guys, a minimal of a nice button down (solid blue, pink, or purple), khakis, and boat shoes (notice how I say minimal). Girls, idk what you guys wear. It’s way too confusing for a guy to comprehend! Just remember, you are there to be interviewed, not to be judged on your clothing, so really just spread your wings on the questions and you should be fine</p>
<p>@Silverstag- yeah, something IS going on.</p>
<p>Here’s what I wore: long sleeved cardigan, appropriate pencil skirt, tights if it was cold, and black flats. Hair was neat and straight. No need to fuss too much about outfit, though: if you look presentable and put together (not too casual either) you should be fine.</p>
<p>Haha silverstag and 98beebee, I knew somebody would notice! I never sign out of College Con and so when my sister, the sixth grader, gets on, she posts under my name. And when did I say I didn’t make state championships?</p>
<p>I wore a simple v-neck blue dress that covers my shoulders, and cowboy boots. Yes, cowboy boots. It was unique but it felt great and I rocked it! (It was also something like 15 degrees out during the tour, so I had my casual L.L Bean jacket for that.)</p>
<p>I wore a neutral-colored blazer over a sporadic patterned dress. The blazer was a contrived attempt by me to balance out the overall poppiness of the dress and try to look even remotely “prep.” 
I don’t think it worked.</p>
<p>I just wore a solid colored dress with a jean jacket. It was very casual but all of my interviewers complimented my outfit, so I think I’m safe (:</p>
<p>I just wore nice black pants, a turtleneck, and boots or flats depending on the weather. I figure this in itself is enough as one of my interviewers told me it’s nice to see that I dressed appropriately, especially for the weather. It’s good to look nice, but make sure it fits the weather so you won’t be freezing.</p>