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My daughter and I went shopping yesterday and these are 3 pieces she found at the summer-end sidewalk sales at White House Black Market. They have wonderful, well-made dresses and the current sale prices are fantastic. The last dress is two layers and it looks/feels very expensive. The first dress was 75% off. I wasn't familiar with this store before yesterday, but I would highly recommend their website: www.whbm.com. You might want to check it out....there are many dresses.

Also, check out Talbot's...they're also having end of summer 75% off sales, and they have many petite dresses. My daughter found a few things there, too, and was sad that a couple of the petite dresses were too short-waisted for her.

My mom loves WHBM but it's SUPER expensive and I probably wouldn't wear the dresses again. Also, I'm trying to stay away from strapless because I don't want to be pulling it up every 5 seconds or have a messy wardrobe malfunction.

I agree with you that the most important thing is to feel comfortable with what you're wearing. If you join a sorority, there will be formals and you will need a few party dresses. You may want to keep that in mind, because there's a good chance you could wear the dresses again to "dress up" events.

Simply_stacey - remember, this is college, and Greek life. You will, believe it or not, have an opportunity to wear some of those dresses again. Additionally, sometimes you just have to shop without that caveat in mind. This is like an interview. First impressions matter.

I liked your yellow dress and the blue one. The blue one needs some accessorizing for pref.

Whoever suggested that you google some ideas for what happens at your school was smart. Other than that, do you know anyone you can ask? Specifically, I would want to know if first round (open parties) is casual shorts/chacos or casual shorts/capris/sandals or casual summerdress/sandals.

TONS of stuff on sale right now. I just spent some time on Gap.com and came away with white jeans and some new tops at 40% off. (sale ends today)

I have spent quite a bit on the dresses pictured and they are dresses I will definitely wear again next spring/summer. I don't really do fancy. I mean there are dresses i have from prom and graduation that might work, but they are all strapless (which I really don't want).

I did try to google some pictures but most of them are from Bid Day and that's really casual. I don't know anyone in Greek Life at the school I'm going to, so I'm kind of at a loss here.

P.S. I love love love summer sales!

This is actually my senior prom dress that I got from WHBM. Maybe this could work for pref? And then use the others at different times?
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These are FANTASTIC!!! I love, love, love the skirt with the ribbon belt. All three are timeless!! A well structured classically cut dress is never a bad investment!

This one is actually very cute. Depends on where you are going to school, on whether or not it's fancy enough for pref, but it should definitely be in your repertoire. Think-- classic cuts and structure. Things that can be worn five years from now and are still timelessly beautiful.

If the fact it's sleeveless is an issue, you can pick up a cute black shrug or even a brightly colored one with matching shoes-- red, pink, silver... etc., but only if it doesn't take away from the waistline and cut of the dress.

And about the dresses you've spent a lot of money on-- you could always return them.

I like your prom dress for pref. It is simply but dressy.

You might consider backing your black,yellow and blue dress back a night. Black for round one (what is the fabric?), Yellow dress for round 2, blue for round 3. I think your black scoop dress could be played off pretty casual depending on your shoes and accessories. Keep it simple, simple, simple!

I know everyone has warned about strapless but unless you are really busty, or if the dress is too big and falls easily, I think you can be comfortable in strapless. Pref does not call for dancing or other spirited moves that can cause the dress to slip. Just make sure it is altered to FIT.

Thanks gee_ess! That's exactly what I was thinking!
The black one is just a cotton dress. I was thinking of wearing black sandals with it and some fun earrings, since it has some colorful feathers as the pattern.
I'm thinking of silver sandals with the yellow dress and plain silver earrings since the dress is pretty loud by itself.
The blue one I want to wear the same silver sandals with a lot (but not too much) silver jewelry.
And I am kind of busty but I'll make it work. I was thinking of pearl earrings and a pearl necklace with black heels for pref.

The changes you are suggesting for your recruitment wardrobe are great! Love using your Prom dress for Prefs. We usually don't tell PNMs to do that, but yours would work.

^^^ I concur. WHBM sells that black pouffy flower sash separately from your dress...they had them in a basket in the fitting rooms area. The sales clerk tied one around the waist of the polka dot dress while my daughter was trying it on. It looked really cute...so we got it. I didn't even realize it came with a belt until later, so we really didn't need it (thanks, sales clerk!), but I have to admit that the flower sash is cuter.

I would keep the earrings simple for the black cotton dress. Maybe just some studs and not anything that suggests there is a 'theme' to the outfit. This is supposed to be your most casual day so play down the extras.

Everything else sounds good! When is rush?

Alright. Thanks for all the advice! I'm super excited now! Rush starts on August 27th

Love the prom dress and the 3 western schools that I'm familiar with this would work. Good luck and let us know how it goes.