The 5 looks here run from Edgy Cowgirl and Western Cowboy outfits to Creative Themed outfits, Country Club Preppy attire and a full group uniform of Matching Frat Bro Pastels, and the rule that picks one is whether you’re dressing alone or with a crowd.
With friends, the preppy and pastel outfits only work when everyone agrees on the palette ahead of time, down to one shade of pink.
1. Edgy Cowgirl
A branded tank is the piece that carries this look, and a cropped red one with a beer logo does more work than any costume-store hat.
Pick the hat first, since it sets the tone. A flat-brim black one looks tougher than a curled-brim style.
Boots would finish it, but sneakers work if the night involves a lot of standing.
2. Creative Themed Outfits
Stripes and animal ears are the whole language of a themed outfit: one loud, recognizable item per person, and the rest stays simple.
A striped prisoner top paired with a partner in ears and a patterned skirt reads from across a dark yard.
Coordinating beats matching here. Pick 2 costumes that share a joke, then buy only the pieces that carry it.
Ears and a printed skirt are cheap and easy to wear again. I would skip anything bulky, because a crowded room gets hot fast.
3. Western Cowboy Look
Cowboy boots in brown leather are the anchor, and everything else can stay ordinary. A cream quarter-zip over a plaid shirt, light-wash jeans and a brown belt looks put together without trying hard.
Match the belt to the boots; it’s a small step that makes the outfit look planned.
The layers do double duty: unzip the pullover when the room warms up and the plaid still looks good on its own.
4. Country Club Preppy Attire
Polo shirts, quarter-zips and pleated tennis skirts are the uniform here, and the look gets better as a group. Everyone wears the same preppy language in different colors, so it reads as a theme instead of a coincidence.
An American flag sweater is a good loud piece to give one person; keep the rest of the group in solids so it stands out.
Tennis skirts are easy to move in, and a quarter-zip covers you when the night turns cool. Clean white sneakers finish it.
5. Matching Frat Bro Pastels
Light pink button-downs with khaki shorts make the easiest group outfit for a frat party, because most guys already own the khakis. Only the shirt needs buying, so the cost stays low.
Agree on one shade of pink ahead of time. Mismatched pinks look sloppy in photos, while one shade looks deliberate.
Wearing the shirts open over a tee keeps things relaxed in warm weather. For the women beside them, summer dresses or light skirts in soft colors fit the palette without matching it exactly.
Save those outfits for formal parties or appropriate themed parties. A frat party is also not the best place to wear your shortest dress.
— Bustle
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you dress as a frat?
Keep it casual and comfortable, and skip formal wear. A light pink button-down over khaki shorts is the simplest route: the khakis are probably already in the closet, so the shirt is the only purchase.
What are some good college-themed party outfits?
Go for something creative that you can also stay comfortable in.
Heavy layers and bulky pieces lose to a hot, packed room every time, so I leave them at home. Preppy country club looks (polos, quarter-zips, pleated tennis skirts) also work and are easy to move in.
What should I wear to a western or cowgirl-themed frat party?
Start with boots, since they anchor the look and the rest can stay ordinary.
For an edgier cowgirl look, a cropped red tank with a beer logo and a flat-brim black hat does the most work, and sneakers are fine if you will be standing a lot.
