@FSUZeta - I really like the Calvin Klein dresses, I just have to find similar ones that fit the proper price range. The WHBM one is lovely too, I adore the "bell sleeves" style.

@KDCat - Seriously considering that A-Line dress. Adorable. And the beaded dress is pretty much exactly my style. Everything on modcloth is darling.

I've narrowed it down to a few choices based on everyone's input... Tell me your favorites & if you like? :)

For house tours: Would be worn with the peplum style black blazer and black pencil skirt I use for interviews.
http://i40.tinypic.com/a1yb.pnghttp://i43.tinypic.com/2hnbzhl.png

I love neck-tie blouses.

For skit: Some long-sleeved options similar to the ones suggested in colors that are flattering on me. The wine colored one is actually a sweater-dress, but it's difficult to tell from the picture. Would probably be worn with black tights.
http://i44.tinypic.com/1235o9i.png[/...om/2upr5va.pnghttp://i42.tinypic.com/2upr5va.jpg

For pref: REALLY difficult choice. A-line, beaded and long-sleeved have been emphasized a lot, and these are some really pretty ones in those styles. Again, difficult to tell from the picture, but the A-line dress is listed as hitting at the knee.
http://i43.tinypic.com/jfuw02.pnghttp://i41.tinypic.com/2v1q1ok.pnghttp://i42.tinypic.com/spejwl.png

You guys are seriously the best.

Maybe skip the blazer? It sounds like it might be a little too office-y?

The other choices are lovely.

Agree on both counts.

Maybe a cardigan instead of the blazer.

Love your choices and agree that the blazer is not necessary. The cardigan is a cute idea.

I thought of suggesting a cardigan, too, but then I thought that a nervous PNM in a crowded room might be warm enough without one.

I initially listed "blazer" in order to be conservative with regards to the sleeveless-ness of the tops - if you all think that it's fine to do without it, then I'm happy to forgo it! I think the shirts are super cute anyway, so I'd actually prefer to show them off.

I'm so pleased that you guys like my choices, and I can't wait to tell you all how recruitment goes. I don't want to wait until January!

Sleeveless can definitely be fine, if you're concerned, take a cardigan or wrap to your first pref party and you can remove it if you're too warm.

Another pro tip: you'll probably sweat more than you think since you're nervous and crammed into an overly heated room with lots of women...pit stains aren't attractive. That light grey dress with the bow up there will show ANY little bit of sweat, so prepare appropriately if you choose a shade like that

I'm not sure where you'll be going through recruitment (and please don't tell us), but many places follow the time honored tradition of no velvet after Valentine's Day. You won't want to drop a lot of money on a dress that you'll only wear a few times.

And count me among the no sleeveless dresses votes!

I like sleeveless stuff. Obviously.

What is the objection?

It's winter. That's the objection. It looks too summery and quite out of place when you take off a big ole winter coat to show bare sleeves. Only for cocktail dresses as far as I'm concerned.

Agreed. I just hate seeing sleeveless "day" dresses in the winter

I would never have thought of that, thank you!! That's something that you don't really notice til it happens, and then you're like, crap...

@honeychile - Had no clue about no velvet after valentine's day, thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure to check the materials in the descriptions of the clothes to make sure there isn't any. :)

I think I've seen pictures of girls at my school wearing sleeveless dresses for pref since it's cocktail, but I'll play it safe and have sleeves for the other rounds. I may order two pref dresses, the one with sleeves and one of the two sleeveless, try them both on and see which I like better (and return the reject).

A suggestion, based on years of reading "what to wear" notices from assorted Panhellenics:

Double-check your school's Panhellenic info on what to wear. Some flatly state "no sequins or beading." (Especially for pref, for some reason. And especially in SEC schools plus ones in TX. )

If that's what Panhellenic at your school says, you're probably much better off avoidling the blingiosity of sequins / beading, right?

Yeah, I know, a few weeks there were pictures splashed around the 'net of H.R.H. the Duchess of Cambridge out at some charity fundraiser / recognition event wearing a white all-sequins long evening dress. PNMs, however, are college freshies or sophs, usually, not British royalty.

^^^ That's a good catch. I forgot about the very common "no sequins and beading" directive.

I think we would have caught that if it was August, but we're probably in "holiday mode" now!