He'd be extremely well dressed by the standards of my campus. Maybe get him a dark blue knit tie as a concession to fashion. He might need also need a third dress shirt. I'd make it something non-iron. I have an Arrow non-iron twill shirt, slim fit with a spread collar (Twenty bucks at Kohl's), and it comes out of the dryer fairly nicely. Dress socks would also be a good idea, and I'll recommend a navy blazer - having two jackets might seem like a lot, until he has two events that require one in a week. Gray trews are also wise. Does he have a dress belt?

 

If he is going to pledge/rush, he will need a navy blazer. Something hard wearing and cheap, an old 346 BB patch in hopsack or some blend.

I wore mine twice a week or more when I was pledging. YMMV of course because different schools have different traditions in Greek Life, but I think my experience is traditional in the SEC. Also, I would go with non iron shirts and probably from somewhere cheaper like LE because when, not if, he wakes up late, doesn't have time to iron, or spills some concoction of Hawaiian punch and clear alcohol on it, it won't be a disaster.

 

Rugby University chinos, Lands End Canvas or J Crew Factory chino shorts (don't need to spend much on shorts), more OCBDs and some polo shirts from somewhere. OCBDs, Polos, and Rugby chinos were my go to for undergrad (still would be if the chinos were an inch longer). The Rugby stuff he can get for %15 off (same for j crew) once he gets a student email address.

 

For a college kid, especially if he's not going to be wearing these clothes all the time, two OCBDs may be enough to start. I'd suggest a couple of nice navy and grey polos, and maybe one in white.

 

If he is going to pledge/rush, he will need a navy blazer. Something hard wearing and cheap, an old 346 BB patch in hopsack or some blend.

I wore mine twice a week or more when I was pledging. YMMV of course because different schools have different traditions in Greek Life, but I think my experience is traditional in the SEC. Also, I would go with non iron shirts and probably from somewhere cheaper like LE because when, not if, he wakes up late, doesn't have time to iron, or spills some concoction of Hawaiian punch and clear alcohol on it, it won't be a disaster.

+1 for the pledge blazer.

Perhaps a few more OCBDs and polos from whichever brand he likes.

 

How about something that's not a backpack?? Any beat up old carry bag will do...

 

I will add to the list.

A few crewneck sweaters -They are just so versatile.

Camp mocs or Ranger Mocs

Bean Boots

I would def get him a blue blazer.

Always keep your eyes on LE overstock. There are always deals to be had for low-mid-end trad clothing.

 

Maybe that Anderson and Little blazer to get that taken care of? It'd be great if he didn't have to iron it...because he won't either way.

 

Doesn't he have some input in this? I mean, I have a fifteen year old daughter and I can no longer even suggest clothing for her. I would think that an eighteen boy would have a fairly clear idea of what he'll be wearing. Granted, it would be nice if you offered to buy him a decent blazer and tie, one dress shirt and trousers, just in case...

 

Doesn't he have some input in this? I mean, I have a fifteen year old daughter and I can no longer even suggest clothing for her. I would think that an eighteen boy would have a fairly clear idea of what he'll be wearing. Granted, it would be nice if you offered to buy him a decent blazer and tie, one dress shirt and trousers, just in case...

He definitely has his own wardrobe. I'm just buying him a couple of outfits he can wear in a pinch that he knows will be dressy and appropriate. He would never wear any of this stuff to class or anything.

 

I would think that puke comes out of non-iron better than must iron. :icon_smile:

 

He definitely has his own wardrobe. I'm just buying him a couple of outfits he can wear in a pinch that he knows will be dressy and appropriate. He would never wear any of this stuff to class or anything.

Oh, nevermind on my suggestions then. I wore khakis/ocbds to class, which led to my suggestions.

 

This fall, I'll be sending my first born to college (Midwest, but not sure where yet). I've been looking for some basic dress attire that he can have on hand for the occasional semiformal dance, fraternity pledge class photo, or disciplinary hearing with the Dean of Students.

Knowing that these clothes will hardly ever get worn and when they are, will be splashed with beer, pizza sauce, and who knows what else, I don't want to spend much. I'm thinking very basic here:

Bass Weejuns--Bought last week for $47.50 thanks to this forum
BB OCBD White, slim fit--Bought yesterday for $48 thanks to my AAAC card and 30% off
BB OCBD Blue, slim fit--Ditto above
Khakis--J Crew, spent $75 in an urgent rush a few weeks ago. Waste of money, but done.
Dark tartan sportcoat, not Black Watch but similar. Ted Baker, bought at Nordstrom Rack for $89, originally $595, not that anyone pays that much. Decent.
Various repp ties that he's had a while.

Still need:
Medium gray wool trousers
Navy Blazer--maybe

I think with this setup he'll be in the top 5% when he needs to be, wearing t-shirts and sweats and sagging like everyone else the rest of the time.

Am I missing anything here?

z71 Chevy Tahoe and a case of Natural Lite.

 

^Lol. Only thing to add to that is polo shirts - lots of polo shirts. These would see more use than anything else, IMO. And a couple casual RL OCBDs mixed in.

Sounds like you've got the nicer occasion wardrobe nailed down, with the exception of a blue blazer.

 

+1 on the navy blazer and polos, get him a few BB slim fit polos and he'll stand out from the RL and Nautica crowd.

Also I'd imagine it gets cold in the midwest. Get him a Patagonia Synchilla Snap T and a University Coat.

Everything else will be dictated by the style of the campus. If he joins a fraternity he'll end up wanting to wear what his brother do too. Im sure there are lots of regional differences but Im sure he may want to get Roeper boots.

 

If he gets into the prep look then you can buy him more OCBDs and polos, but sticking with the "emergency dress clothes" theme, I would get:

1. A blue blazer. The Anderson-Little would be fine, and easy, unless you want to look for an old BB or something
2. An actual dress shirt, with point or spread collar, even a cheapie like the Arrow mentioned above... non-iron... and explain the difference between that and the OCBDs
3. A decent belt

Khakis/OCBDs have him covered for business casual.

 

You guys crack me up. How about a morning coat in case he gets an audience with the Queen?

 

You guys crack me up. How about a morning coat in case he gets an audience with the Queen?

Then he can driver her around in his sweet chevy and offer her a beer. Duh.

 

Croakies; if he's pledging, don't forget croakies

 

Comprehensive list of necessary pledge attire, to be worn at least twice per week:

Stone colored chinos, pleated, several pairs (never know what sort of range of motion one may need), at least one pair of non-irons for impromptu late night line ups.
Two navy blazers with gold buttons (the standard for pledges is the Laruen by Ralph Lauren wool blazer which can be found for around $200 at Macy's or a lower-end BB. Do not expect him to be able to wear this after college.)
White and light blue botton-down non-iron shirts
Repp ties
Comfortable, rubber-soled loafers. Topsider style shoes in full-grain leather are generally acceptable

Also worth investing in a pair of New Balance 991/992 shoes, a school crest/logo leatherman ltd belt, costa del mar or ray ban wayfarer sunglasses with the aforementioned croakies, school logo American Needle visor, 5" inseam shorts (j. crew or Patagonia stand ups, but Polo Andrew shorts will work as well) and a waterproof iphone case. Depending on the school, decent roper boots might be appropriate (I wore them regularly throughout my fraternity days).

If he pledges, his style will undoubtedly at least start to merge toward chinos, new balance/topsiders/loafers, and sunglasses on croakies.

 

Comprehensive list of necessary pledge attire, to be worn at least twice per week:

Stone colored chinos, pleated, several pairs (never know what sort of range of motion one may need), at least one pair of non-irons for impromptu late night line ups.
Two navy blazers with gold buttons (the standard for pledges is the Laruen by Ralph Lauren wool blazer which can be found for around $200 at Macy's or a lower-end BB. Do not expect him to be able to wear this after college.)
White and light blue botton-down non-iron shirts
Repp ties
Comfortable, rubber-soled loafers. Topsider style shoes in full-grain leather are generally acceptable

Also worth investing in a pair of New Balance 991/992 shoes, a school crest/logo leatherman ltd belt, costa del mar or ray ban wayfarer sunglasses with the aforementioned croakies, school logo American Needle visor, 5" inseam shorts (j. crew or Patagonia stand ups, but Polo Andrew shorts will work as well) and a waterproof iphone case. Depending on the school, decent roper boots might be appropriate (I wore them regularly throughout my fraternity days).

If he pledges, his style will undoubtedly at least start to merge toward chinos, new balance/topsiders/loafers, and sunglasses on croakies.

And a Tag Heuer.

 

And a Tag Heuer.

No watch is the new Breitling. Didn't you know? It's pretentious without being pretentious.

Also, I think you're only allowed to buy the Ole Miss edition Aquaracer when your senior/receive it as a grad gift. No pledges allowed.

 

I'm a college kid and I haven't read what the other posters have put, but this is what I have/what i wear

- a pair of bean boots
- an anderson little blazer (wish I had one first semester)
- some repp ties (2 at most)
- 2 brown belts, and 1 black one
- boat shoes (sperrys or sebagos)
- penny laofers (you already have those)
- chino shorts (look at duck heads, they have 40% for shorts. I own 2 pairs of chinos from them. I like them a lot. however my shorts are from land's end)
- khaki chinos
- about 6 ocbds (white, blue, 3 blue stripes, check shirts)
- polo shirts (rl, brooks brothers, and ect)
- a couple of crew neck sweaters and vneck sweaters
- a pair of jeans (levis)

What I want
- tweed jacket (I've been meaning to find one at a good price)
- gray trousers (like your post)
- a light jacket of some sort for weather that isn't too cold (like one with a zipper)


but honestly, how does your son like dressing? ask him if he likes wearing the stuff you buy him. Also, I have a friend who wrote a really good post on this, I'll try to post it later (he actually told me to visit this forum)

 

I forgot to mention... he won't get a bid to anywhere but Tri-Lamb without a Barbour Beaufort and a pair of Bean Boots.

 

No watch is the new Breitling. Didn't you know? It's pretentious without being pretentious.

Also, I think you're only allowed to buy the Ole Miss edition Aquaracer when your senior/receive it as a grad gift. No pledges allowed.

Grad gift from high school.