Kid was put on the plane at 5 am yesterday with 2 giant bags and 2 carry-ons. Checked herself in, dragged her stuff up to the 4th floor, no elevator, then to the upper loft, then reported for pre-season practice. Repeating the procedure today with all the boxes we shipped USPS. That’s how we toughen them up down here… 
I think pants, and probably a shirt, are a must.
To all those moving in today in New England I hope you have your rain boots and rain jacket! It’s going to be a wet one. The tennis whites will be see-through today.
This year (senior year), I dressed for utility. Also, since DS is a leader, his drop-off was early and with just the other leaders…we didn’t see any faculty members at all. Like @twinsmama I mostly helped with loading the elevator (my kid is on the top floor of that VERY tall dorm) and then I made his bed. We were in and out in less than an hour. Since he and his roommate want to loft their beds (and have to wait for maintenance to get around to them), they didn’t move up any of their purchased furniture/rugs from the basement…that will have to wait until they actually have floor space. On the plus side, DS’ roommate’s prefect status means they have a bigger room this year - closets are 2x as big. (Though, still no closet doors.) They will sell the hand-me-down furniture to underclassmen, and return the rug to the friend studying in Spain this year, in May.
I was thinking about this thread today as I moved in my daughter in the pouring rain and my carefully planned casual-but-not-schlumpy outfit got completely drenched. I had to borrow sweatpants and a cropped sweatshirt from my daughter, which, according to her, looked like I was trying to dress like a '90s rapper but failing miserably. So much for not embarrassing her. She shoo’ed me out before she unpacked a thing.
Making memories, @JCAmine… 
I only visited for the first move-in. I followed advises here and it was a great decision. I don’t plan to fly there to help her to move out though. She can donate anything that won’t fit in her bags.
In reply to #7 	 (which have infiltrated remaining posts), I need to add the OC stilettos, sunglasses, Kentucky Derby hat complete with fluffy dog in purse. Yes-I saw it. And standing there in my cropped jeans and “dressy” Tee (I decided to forgo the Def Leppard Hysteria tour t-shirt) sans makeup and hair in messy bun (kept me from having to locate the brush) with my arms full of boxes and my mouth agape did not faze anyone in the least. My husband was the one who slapped me on the back and told me to hustle on up the 2 flights of stairs or else I probably would’ve been frozen there much longer. I thought I was at the set of Legally Blonde!
@buuzn03 What does OC stand for? I feel ignorant.
Oh. That was OC. For Real Hoisewives of Orange County–purely stereotype
When we were in line for BS "check in ", K2 ( who is very tall ) would scan the beautifully coiffed - fresh from the Salon heads of all the other moms in front of us and mumble, Nice lid, Mom…
My husband loved drop off. He was totally in his element. He would loudly refer to me as " My Vision" or “Pookie” and he would call both boys “Spaulding”.
I wanted to knock his lights out.
The middle road for me. On one hand, you’ll be lugging heavy boxes, on the other you’ll be meeting a lot of people for the first time. I’ve usually gone with lightweight white jeans, the kind you can throw into the wash with some bleach if they get dirty, cute but comfortable flats, and an on the nicer side t-shirt. If the day is cool you’ll want to layer, with a lightweight t for when you’re sweating up a couple flights of stairs and something to throw over it when you’re standing around meeting parents and teachers or at the Headmaster’s welcome.
Omg @PhotographerMom – if we were to get our husbands together (and kids, for that matter), I could see utter chaos!!! I’m so glad to know there’s another out there suffering with the smart ass, sarcastic spouse. The best part is, DH totally pulls it off somehow! He can tell someone F-you to their face, and they’ll just laugh and carry on like he’s joking. Something about his delivery- idk. Meanwhile, I can sincerely tell someone to have a nice day, and they’ll walk away calling me a B1tch. Too funny!
My D wore another college t-shirt on move in day because she didn’t want to ruin any of her game day attire. Turned out it was very helpful to find her in the crowds. When we bumped into the new president of the university he asked ‘what’s with that shirt?’ and we got a picture with him, so now the wrong t-shirt is part of what we’ll always remember on move-in day.
I seriously doubt that anyone, who matters, would care what clothing is worn by a parent as long as it covers you sufficiently.
As our dd is 5’8" and was rocking themed sports socks pulled up Steve Urkel style over leggings and a “unique” top knot, blending into the crowd wasn’t really an option for our family at drop off. That said, dd found her people wthin the first 5 minutes of the headmasters’ reception. Birds of a feather… and we are so happy and proud of her. At her school, she fits right in. Plus she could totally hang with @PhotographerMom’s crew. I think it is hilarious that Photodad called the kids fake preppy names.
Love the Steve Urkel style!!! And @PhotographerMom – was that what it was? I thought Spaulding was a reference back to the tennis mom!!! :)) either way, Snookie, it was hilarious!
I was hoping “Spaulding” was a Spaulding Grey shout out. Signed, Muffy
Much less to worry about for the second move-in as the only other adults we saw were roomy’s parents who we already know quite well, and the house counselor. I dressed with function in mind but we ended up being hugely lucky that roomy’s sib was there to help with getting things up to the third(!) floor (“but it’s the best room in the dorm”). And I want to add that getting up to the third floor wouldn’t have been so bad if that second stairwell had been wider than 24 inches. :-bd
Spaulding Smails from Caddyshack. 
Which is slightly hilarious because both boys are rowers…