Cambridge Chat (previously New Cambridge Students Entry 2004)

it seems the ladies of cambridge spend an obscene amount every year on "nice dresses" for stuff like society and boat club dinners and may balls and stuff. some of my friends insist on getting new dresses for each and every event, even if it means beggaring themselves... odd people.

that said, first year males also tend to spend quite a bit on dinner jackets and stuff...

advice on dressing up, both to guys and girls: learn to tie a bowtie nicely, and you'll be a popular boy/girl come formal dinners... (too many people cop out and use clip-on bowties, imo)

* for guys coming up, consider investing in a black tie affair. i've used mine 5 times this past year alone - medsoc dinner, may ball, boat club dinner x3. renting it out would have cost GBP35-40 EACH TIME.

Well usually called Amy. Although that may change due to three Amys in my new drama class.

Right everyone...all the pics are updated so far....and i just noticed something.....Kathy (Fluffstar) in that pic with benny....looks like Paula Radcliffe

Anyone else see the similarities?? Or is it just me being weird again??

G

youve been reading my other posts havn't you?

No..i really honestly haven't....i didn't really notice on the first pic..cos i can only see half of your face...but that pic with benny....looks like you're ready to run a marathon

Why....am i right?!?!!

G

no theres a thread about "if you could be anyone else.." and i put paula, because i admire her so much! Always pushing herself to the limit and stuff. I love running too, but i dont think i could run a marathon!
that said, i really should get to the gym soon - at 10.30 you get the 'mother's meeting' brigade in, and they just hog all the treadmills and talk incessantly!

it seems the ladies of cambridge spend an obscene amount every year on "nice dresses" for stuff like society and boat club dinners and may balls and stuff. some of my friends insist on getting new dresses for each and every event, even if it means beggaring themselves... odd people.

that said, first year males also tend to spend quite a bit on dinner jackets and stuff...

advice on dressing up, both to guys and girls: learn to tie a bowtie nicely, and you'll be a popular boy/girl come formal dinners... (too many people cop out and use clip-on bowties, imo)

* for guys coming up, consider investing in a black tie affair. i've used mine 5 times this past year alone - medsoc dinner, may ball, boat club dinner x3. renting it out would have cost GBP35-40 EACH TIME.

I have several ties but not bowtie. Don't even know where to find them. Oh I thought you should wear bowtie at the ball. I'm only asking cos I can't be bothered to find a bowtie.

I have several ties but not bowtie. Don't even know where to find them. Oh I thought you should wear bowtie at the ball. I'm only asking cos I can't be bothered to find a bowtie.

see i was clever...i bought a dj already! Just need a new suit now as well! How much do you wear ordinary suits btw?

Most colleges require you to wear a suit for Formal, so it depends how often you go to Formal hall. Oh, and you'll need a suit for matriculation at the start of term so don't leave sorting that til you get up!

do girls need something posh for matriculation too?

Yep. Don't go overboard, just something smart Basically what you'd wear for a Formal Hall, since you'll have a nice dinner afterwards (from my experience, the nicest you'll have all year), and the general guidelines for that are just smart. Most people wear a skirt, or smart trousers, and a nice top.

i'm getting confused. I thought it was bow tie for formal dinners?

Yep. Don't go overboard, just something smart Basically what you'd wear for a Formal Hall, since you'll have a nice dinner afterwards (from my experience, the nicest you'll have all year), and the general guidelines for that are just smart. Most people wear a skirt, or smart trousers, and a nice top.

For girls at Clare, the dress code was a black skirt/trousers and a shirt (most people wore white, but some wore coloured shirts or a white top) for matriculation.

Ok...formal hall and "formal dinners..."

Formal hall happens most nights of the week in most colleges (the exact number varies; some places have it every night, some only once/twice a week). You go there instead of normal dinner, if you want to, normally for special occasions or formal swaps with other colleges but you have to book a ticket in advance. You have to be smartly dressed, but not OTT. At Clare, men need to either wear a suit, or a gown over normal smartish clothes. Girls can get away with more, just as long as you look smart. Gowns are compulsory at some colleges, not at others.

Formal dinners is not really a specific term. Various societies and subject groups will have an annual dinner (or in the case of college boatclubs, a termly carnage fest disguised as a dinner). For these you will need black tie (DJ and bow tie), and girls will need either a nice evening dress (but not a ballgown) or a pretty skirt and top. For the May Ball, black tie (or white for certain colleges) is essential, and ball dresses/evening dresses for the girls, I'm a little hazy on the exact definition.

Girls spend more than boys on these things because you can't wear the same dress in the same company twice! Fortunately I have a few left over from U6th when everyone was having posh 18th birthdays, so have only bought one new dress this year (only £15! ) plus a skirt and various tops.