LDOC. If you’re a Duke student, this term has been branded in your mind since freshman orientation. To say that many Duke students have been ‘looking forward’ to LDOC would be a gross understatement. LDOC is our last hurrah; the last time we can party uninhibited with our friends before taking on finals week and embarking on our summer internships. While the highlight of LDOC is the evening concert, for many, the festivities begin early in the morning. Therefore, the celebration really does last all day long and well into the night. Of course, with all that partying comes a boatload of possible fashion mishaps that can really put a damper on your day if you’re not prepared. Lucky for you, we’re here to help:
Wear breathable clothing: Late-April in North Carolina can get very hot and muggy, so make sure you are prepared to sweat on LDOC (as of now, it looks like it’ll be in the 70s!). The easiest way to avoid those horrid underarm sweat stains is to wear light, breathable clothing. Duke ladies tend to opt for sundresses on LDOC, so make sure you choose one that is made of a lightweight fabric that won’t lead your sweat glands to become hyperactive. In addition, avoid colors that are conducive to sweat stains; gray is never a good choice if you are trying to avoid the sweaty look. Instead, opt for either dark colors, like black, or light colors, like pastels or white. If you are worried that you might be too cold wearing only a sleeveless dress or tank top, dress in layers, but still make sure to opt for lightweight, breathable pieces so that you aren’t weighed down.
Beware of the Solo cup: Many students opt for various beverages on LDOC, and one of the most widely-used containers is that handy-dandy red Solo cup. While these cups are undeniably useful, their wide, open tops tend to be extremely conducive to spills on LDOC. A big, wet stain is just about the last thing a girl wants to sport on any day, but it’s especially taboo on a day when you’re guaranteed to be in many pictures that will inevitably end up on Facebook. Thus, try and avoid using open, wide-topped containers, and instead, opt for plastic bottles that you can easily open but will remain sealed when closed, such as water or soda bottles.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint: LDOC can be a long day. Many upperclassmen will tell you that their days begin around 10 am with a liquid breakfast. Therefore, make sure to PACE YOURSELF. Stumbling around the quad with your beer-stained dress falling off at 3pm is really not a good look; not to mention, chances are you’ll crash before the concert even begins. The more you pace yourself, the more likely you are to actually make it to the main act and the less likely you are to ruin your outfit.
So while LDOC is pretty much guaranteed to be a good time, make sure you’re prepared for a full day of celebration. LDOC is so fun that you want to ensure that nothing can put a damper on it.
Images:
Duke Quad: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3468050799_7c8383f0eb.jpg
Free People Dress 1: http://www.freepeople.com/clothes-dresses/electric-forest-dress/_/productOptionIDS/12B8C951-1A20-4EE1-BF90-10C3E51E5A64
Free People Dress 2: http://www.freepeople.com/clothes-dresses/sweet-petals-dress/
LDOC: http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1577175504/Screen_shot_2011-10-07_at_9.05.53_PM.png