On Friday, the Students Activity Board will hold the annual Garden Party in the Slayton Arboretum for the first time since 2017 with the theme of “cottagecore,” according to SAB Director Zane Mabry.
The Garden Party is an annual semi-formal dance held in the fall.
“The arb is a really neat area,” Mabry said. “It’s not the first place you think of to spend your time.”
The theme is a reference to the popular internet aesthetic, cottagecore, which is heavily influenced by romanticism and the French countryside of the 1800s.
Mabry and Riley Arlinghaus, assistant director of student activities, provided students with some fashion guidance.
“Girls wear short dresses instead of long dresses,” Arlinghaus said.
She said many students have chosen to wear floral patterns to the Garden Party throughout the years. Arlinghaus recommended that girls wear flats, wedges, or sneakers, as heels can make it difficult to walk around in the grass.
For men’s attire, Mabry recommended khakis, a nice shirt, and to “at least begin the night with a tie.”
He added that some men choose to dress more formally in full suits.
Mabry said he is excited about the band who will be performing, Parallel Fifth.
“They’re a cover band, but they’re professional and they sound awesome,” he said.
Junior Ava Helms said she is excited for her first outdoor Garden Party, as last year’s was canceled due to COVID-19 regulations and the year before it was moved inside due to inclement weather.
“I think events like that really helped to forge that nice community, that wonderful welcoming community that we have,” Helms said.
