As football season winds down, Mizzou students are finally reaching the quiet section of the semester between Homecoming and Thanksgiving break. During this brief interlude, fraternities all across campus will be hosting formals and semi-formals at Lake of the Ozarks, or in cities like Chicago, Memphis and Nashville. The weeks leading up to formal can be stressful from trying to fit in hair and nail appointments, not to mention painting an elaborate cooler for your date. Luckily, our wardrobe guide will make picking out your clothes a breeze.
Pack lightly
Considering formals are usually no more than two nights, leave your high-maintenance self at home. Leave the giant suitcase behind and pack one bag and a carry-on for the bus or car. After sharing a room with four people for a weekend, you’ll be glad you have less to pack up again on Sunday morning.
Check the weather
Although traveling to the lake isn’t far enough to involve a drastic temperature change, it’s best to be prepared. Make sure you know if the city will be expecting cold temperatures, rain or snow. If you get lucky and the forecast says it will be 75 degrees and sunny, pack your short sleeves and embrace the warm weather before winter hits. Also, be prepared for to walk around a city in your formal dress. If your party involves a cruise or outdoor venue, make sure you pack a jacket that will still look good with your dress. Worst case scenario: you can always steal your date’s jacket.
Plan for each part of the weekend
Most formals involve a long bus or car ride to your destination. It’s best to wear something comfortable for the ride and change once you get to the hotel. When you head back Sunday, you’ll be grateful for a sweatshirt and pair of leggings, along with a giant pair of sunglasses. Also, ask your date what the plan is for both nights of the weekend. If you plan to hang out at the hotel one night, you can wear something more casual. However, if you plan to eat dinner out or head to the bars, pick a dressier, more festive outfit. I know I personally plan on busting out my cowboy boots in Nashville.
Pick your formal dress carefully
College formals are different than high school dances, so make sure you do your best to look sophisticated and put together. Semi-formals tend to be more casual, so you can get away with a nice sundress or cocktail dress in a bright color. For a formal, pick a cocktail dress with nicer material or details. Let your personal style shine through. If you want to go for something short and tight, be sure you’ll still look appropriate when drinking and dancing. If you are more comfortable in a longer dress, go for it. However, this is generally not the occasion to bust out a prom dress or poofy pink homecoming dress from your freshman year of high school.
It’s perfectly okay to re-wear a dress or even considering borrowing one from friend or a site like Rent the Runway. For reduced prices, you can rent a designer dress for the weekend. They send two sizes, and for a few extra dollars, you can even add insurance to the dress you order. Remember, if you plan to drink, something will inevitably be spilled on your dress.
As a final note, consider wearing flats if heels will make you taller than your date. As an added bonus, your feet will hurt less than all your friends’ at the end of the night.
Hopefully, our guide will help make dressing for your upcoming formal a little easier. Above all, remember the weekend is supposed to be a fun time for you and your date. Be safe and don’t stress too much about how you look!
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