they're expensive shoes... plus again, dress to impress.

You're not rushing a sorority (No offense ladies!). You're trying too hard.

LOL at this whole thread, mainly

1) the thought that Express might be fratty. Dude, that train left the station around 1991 (girls and guys clothes).

2) Sperrys = expensive shoes. Yes they are expensive compared to Payless, but there are way more costly options out there. Plus, they're made to be worn ON A BOAT. If something drops on them, they won't croak. This is what made them preppy shoes in the first place - the fact that you can buy them when you're 16 and wear them till you're 66.

If you keep posting about "fratty" attire and wearing Lacoste polos that are about $100 a pop, I fail to see how semi-indestructible $60 Sperrys are expensive to you.

Wearing sperrys with no socks is going to do a lot more damage to them than wearing them to a party and spilling stuff on them.

My dad was telling me about rush in the 60s and it was way different. At his Uni you signed up for rush at the Dean of Students office. Everyone was then invited to the first of three events. First was a 'smoker', basically a kegger, where the prospectives were given a first look at. Dress was normally a sweater over a buttondown with kahkis or cloth trousers like hopsack or lightweight wool. For shoes Bass Weejuns were pretty universal.
After the first 'smoker' they had a culling session to triage the herd into 'probably yes', 'maybe', and 'no way'. Then invitations were delivered to the 'yes' and the 'maybe' groups. The 'no ways' received no invitations and were culled out. These second invitations were to a picnic where the prospective brought a date. Dress was dependant on the weather and could be a sweater or shirt (usually Madras) over 'wheat jeans' or kahkis (no blue jeans). Shoes were normally loafers or boat shoes. The dates brought a picnic basket and the chapter provided beer and soft drinks. This usually went on from about 10:00 AM until 8 or 9 PM with a small band providing music. After the sun went down the chapter grilled burgers and people stayed pretty late since shuttle busses were provided.
Next day there was another culling session and the survivors were invited to a cocktail party, usually held at the home of a very successful alum or at a local country club. Dates again and dress was dark suit or black tie optional. Shuttles were arranged from and back to campus. This was the third and final look over. Next day the bid or ball session was held and bids were delivered to the chosen.
The idea was to see the prospectives in different social settings from laid back to pretty formal, to see how they handled themselves, and to see what their dates were like. One was expected to be outgoing, show some degree of polish, choose a date with some degree of care (talk about the double standard!), tell good stories, and hold his beer or liquor.
Seems very different from today but some aspects of that system were very effective and fun according to Dad.

When I pledged (not as long ago as your dad), most if not all of our chapters held "smokers" as the first get together with prospective members. I think that among us, at least, the term is still in common use, primarily as a rush party but sometimes for other parties as well.

Bless your heart.

Warm? Chinos, nice button-down/t-shirt/polo/whatever, Sperrys/Chacos.
Cold? Khakis, nice button-down/shirt & fleece/polo/whatever, Sperrys.

Just dress nice. I mean... It's not hard.

You will look like a fool if you wear anything from American Eagle or Sperrys with socks, so do yourself a favor and soak them in salt water or just get them wet somehow. They will mold to your feet! It just takes getting them wet, so don't be concerned about getting something on them at a party.

Problem solved!