These ideas run from a draped bedsheet toga to a crop top and leggings you likely already own, so the biggest factor is how much planning time you have before the party.
If you have an hour, a jersey, a black top or a tie over a tank gets you out the door in something that holds up on a crowded floor.
1. Toga Party Outfit
White fabric draped and pinned, with gold jewelry and a gold hairpiece, is the whole look, so the drape decides everything. A bedsheet works on a student budget, but a sheet that slips at midnight ends the costume early.
Pin it at the shoulder and the waist before you leave, and sit down once in it to test. Gold earrings, cuffs and a headpiece carry the theme better than extra fabric would.
Wear shoes you can stand in for hours.
2. Sports Jersey Outfit
A jersey gives you the easiest costume-free outfit for a crowded house, since the piece does the work and the bottoms are flexible. Shorts, jeans and a pleated skirt all pair with it, and sneakers keep the look practical.
Decide on fit first: a cropped jersey or one tucked at the waist keeps the shape from disappearing. A jersey from a team your friends root for makes the best conversation starter.
I would pick jeans if the night is cool, and the skirt if you want something a little sharper.
3. Tie and Button-down Look
Borrowing menswear is cheap, and a loose necktie is the detail that makes it read as a choice.
Layer an open button-down over a tank top, add jeans, and finish with a baseball cap, which also saves you on a bad hair night.
Check the tie before you commit.
A striped one stands out against a plain shirt, but a busy shirt would fight it. Leave the knot loose and the collar open at the neck so the tie looks thrown on rather than tied for a job interview.
Oversized shirts work best here, so raid a closet that isn’t yours.
4. Fringed Tanks and Denim Shorts
Matching tanks turn two friends into one idea. White fringed tops with a short slogan, cut-off denim shorts and flower crowns all come in cheap, so the cost splits easily between you.
Decide the slogan early, because custom or themed tops can take time to arrive and a late package ruins the plan. Fringe moves when you dance, which I count as a plus.
If you can’t match, keep the shorts and crowns and vary the tops.
5. Crop Top and Leggings
A grey sleeveless crop top over black leggings is about as comfortable as a party outfit gets. Nothing pinches, and dancing in a packed room stays easy.
The decision is the top.
Grey keeps it understated, so a bolder piece of jewelry or a jacket tied at the waist adds interest without much money. Most people already own both pieces, which makes this the fastest outfit on the list to pull together.
Pick leggings thick enough that you don’t have to think about them all night.
6. Black Party Tops
Black tops go with nearly everything in your closet, which is why they suit a limited budget.
An off-the-shoulder style and a halter both show shoulders while keeping the color simple, so you can pair either with jeans or a skirt you already own.
I would choose by what you can move in.
Off-the-shoulder necklines can shift, so test one with your arms raised before you leave. A halter stays put more easily.
Gold or silver earrings are enough to finish it.
Comfort and Practicality
Crowded houses reward clothes that move with you. Before you commit to an outfit, do a quick test: squat, raise both arms, and walk up a flight of stairs.
If anything rides up, digs in, or needs adjusting, it will need adjusting all night. Pick the outfit that passes without thought, even if another one photographs better.
Layering Advice
Crowded houses get hot fast, so build the outfit in layers you can pull off in seconds. A hoodie or an overshirt works well, and it gives you something to wear when you step outside or walk home.
Choose a base layer that looks finished on its own, because the top layer will end up tied around your waist or in a friend’s hands.
Sneakers or flat boots are the safer call after dark, because flip-flops don’t hold up against sticky floors and crowded steps. Floors get sticky and crowded, and your feet are the first thing to take a hit.
If you plan to hit more than one house, tuck a spare tee in your bag. Keep the look clean and comfortable, and skip loud branding, since house and event rules vary.
Theme Considerations
If a party has a theme, dress for it. A guest who commits to the theme gets more conversations and more fun than one who ignores it.
I would pick something creative that you are also comfortable in, rather than the obvious costume everyone else grabs. Set yourself apart from the crowd.
A pajama theme is a good example.
Play it as a joke on the roles, and keep it good-natured.
Everyone knows that you were just coming from your dorm, so wearing your Sunday best or last year’s Halloween costume when you dressed up as a Go-Go Dancer is a rookie mistake. Save those outfits for formal parties or appropriate themed parties.
— Bustle
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I wear to a frat party?
Pick comfortable clothes you can move in, layered so you can shed a hoodie or overshirt when the house heats up, with sneakers or flat boots on your feet.
Squat, raise both arms, and climb a flight of stairs in the outfit before you leave.
Do frat boys wear jeans?
Yes, dark jeans are a standard choice for a casual house party.
Pair them with a fitted button-down or polo and clean white sneakers or loafers. Khaki shorts and chinos are the other common bottoms.
