Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Some of you have some really cute ideas that I'll def. be looking into :)

Drolefille, take a chill pill. This was just meant to get some cute dress ideas. If you think this thread is dumb or makes no sense, then you shouldn't have wasted your own time commenting on it. There is no need for the negativity, and I hate how someone always has something bad to say about every thread. Then why even have a forum at all? Oh and btw I guess you're "nuts" too, since you just involved yourself in this thread (think about it) ;)

I think it was you who first recommended eShakti on GC, right? Since then, I've ordered 3 dresses from there and have been happy every time (I'm wearing one right now).

So, the proof is in the pudding, I guess!

Get your dress and stop wrapping yourself up in GreekChat nonsense - you have to know this won't end well.

Phi Mu's Pledging ceremony requires that all members wear pastel, with white or off-white being the preferred color. I think that's pretty much because there are usually only a few days between when girls are given bids and when Pledging is held, so it's easier for them to find something to wear that's pastel. Initiation, however, requires white or off-white, even if it's only a slip (does anyone actually wear slips anymore outside of Ritual?).

One of my favorite stores is White House | Black Market, and they usually have some white dresses (and SKIRTS! Don't forget that is usually an option, too!) available. This one is my personal favorite of their current styles, but they also have a few nice ones on clearance, too. (Here, here, here, and here.) And, I can tell you from experience, their clothing almost always fits and flatters me, and I'm a bit of a teapot--a short and stout size 12. Hope you find something cute! :)




And, as a side note... I seem to remember being taught growing up that, if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. Seems we all need a little reminder of that once in a while.

This differs by chapter, because it was not our custom. But I think the point you are making is a good one: you can't buy your pledging/initiation dresses until you know what is required.

We weren't allowed to wear skirt/shirt combos for Initiation. It was okay for Pledging (since, as you mentioned, there isn't much time for shopping), as was off-white, but not at all for Initiation.

thanks! that is why i said "most". i do not say for sure if i don't know for sure.

If you're a Phi Mu (sorry; I can't tell from your screen name and I don't post often enough to know), I guarantee you it doesn't vary from chapter to chapter. The guidelines are set forth in The Ritual. Many chapters have customs or traditions, but The Ritual always has the final say. For instance: One of our local chapters always used to wear white for the Founders' Day ceremony, until one year they finally decided to join the alumnae and discovered they could wear ANYTHING so long as it was badge appropriate (which is described in the Bylaws). Usually those customs stem from one person not knowing any better and forcing their inexperience on others. ;)

I am a Phi Mu, and I am not going to talk about ritual on the board, except to say that my chapter did not require what you are claiming we required.

This may or may not work for length, but L.L. Bean has a white washable linen dress that comes in misses, and women's plus sizes in regular and petite lengths. It is kind of a shift dress, and yeah, linen after Labor Day may give some people the vapors, but for $49.50 it seems like a good deal. Also linen is cooler and in a crowded room full of women that may be a bonus. It allegedly comes to the knee (though that varies for each person) and has short cap sleeves. It can be washed and dried in a regular washer and dryer and LL Bean is great about returns and guarantees their products.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68023?feat=506213-GN2

Land's End has a white dress as well that is at least knee length but has no sleeves. It has sold out in quite a few sizes but is real cute. They are also great about returns, they can be done in a Sears store.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/EyeletDre...s&origin=index


Just don't forget appropriate undergarments like a slip, I'M SERIOUS :mad:

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

Here are a couple more links to some white dresses I liked:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-al...ttlewhitedress
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults

I realize some of these dresses might show a little too much shoulder, but it's not hard to find a cute little white shrug or cardi to go over the top.

That dress would be totally fine in AOII. Our goal is to be in white and not flashy. That covers what it should and is not distracting. Ritual is not about being cute. If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

I suppose if that was the case, it would be alright, as long as you looked polished and wore the right undergarments. :)

Which brings us to........ WEAR FLESH TONED UNDERGARMENTS! :D NOT WHITE!

I frankly have no idea of the standards of other groups, my point was to suggest something affordable, easy care, and no issues with having to find a second piece like a white cardigan or having cleavage issues. I'd rather see every woman in a simple linen shift than crazy ass lace and satin wedding dresses or trying to cover up with shawls and inappropriate cardigans.

If a sister came to me with any of your suggestions we'd have sleeve issues and on some women, cleavage and length issues. As we both said it can be remedied but sometimes it is just easier to have a dress that is completely good to go and not have to keep track of the other pieces. Also, dry cleaning is a pain and an extra cost as well as requiring some planning that busy collegians (and alumnae) may choose to avoid.

Being "cute" during initiation or ritual never crossed my mind. One because I am always cute no matter what I wear, and second this is a private time with my sisters. At schools where there is a tradition of presentations or being in public in white, maybe that would be an issue, but finding an affordable white dress is hard and my suggestion covers women who may have a hard time due to size or height.

I am considering buying one because my sister's ivory lace and chiffon wedding dress I currently wear has beading that is slowly coming off and is so heavy and long I have to wear heels and I get hot and tired. It also doesn't have any depth on the neckline so my no torso having self wouldn't have to get it taken up to keep my bodacious tatas appropriate.

Someone should just start a company that specializes in white (or other approved colors) dresses where people pick what they need and women get them made with approved standards by their I/HQ. Send in your measurements, identify your organization, get a dress and not have to worry. Imagine the discounts if whole pledge classes and campuses are purchasing. They could be sufficiently lined and made with fabric that isn't inappropriate (sequins and stretch velvet, can't make that up!), and there could still be allowance for individual variation with necklines, sleeves, waist, and so on.

thats a really good idea. im surprised those companies that make dresses etc. for recruitment haven't done this.