Overalls.

The first thing people notice is hair and feet. (Everyone... not just sorority girls during recruitment.) Even if you don't realize that you do this, it IS the first thing most people notice.

I'm sure that I'm in a minority here, but when I see a female over 6 years old in overalls, I assume she's pregnant. No matter how cute people think they are, nobody looks good in them!

One of my sisters has a pair that she occasionally wears out to bars and she actually does look really cute. She is, however, the only person I've seen who does.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...

If you're going through NPC formal recruitment, don't wear a watch.

If you wear a watch, you'll be tempted to sneak a peek at the time. This signals that you're bored and eager for the party to be over.

You don't need a watch. It's the job of the rho chis and rush chairs to keep everything on schedule.

If you feel naked without a watch, get a pretty bracelet and wear it where you'd normally wear your watch. If you MUST have a watch with you (e.g. if you have to be somewhere at a specific time after you're done with parties for the day), shove it in your pocket or hand it to your rho chi.

This rule goes for sisters too, for the same reason. Unless it's your job to signal when to start the skit or when to end the party, don't wear a watch.

Please, please, please, for the love of all that is fashion holy, do not wear hose with open toed shoes or sandals. PLEASE. This is never okay.

I know, they remind me of those old cartoons, where if one of the characters got shaved/plucked/clothes taken away, they'd show them walking around in a barrel with shoulder straps.

Oh, as long as we're on the topic of how overalls don't look good on anyone, does anyone else here hate, revile, despise, and ABHOR tapered-leg pants, ESPECIALLY with that old-lady high-waisted look?

I'm not in NPC but i was just reading this thread out of curiousity and then i got to this one, lol. lol i so much agree. i don't think people should wear overalls unless they are bailing hay or something cause they are so unflattering.

okay..butting out now...

HAHAHAHA MOM PANTS!!! Why anybody still wears those is beyond me. They don't look good on ANYONE.

The worst thing to wear is something extremely low cut or extremely short - some of my sisters definitely saw more than they ever wanted.

Something extremely tight and 2 sizes too small for you. I preffed a girl that was messing with her dress the entire time - drove me crazy.

Hahaha yes.

But you gotta love stirrup pants. :p

I wore those once in a while when I was a kid. :o But that was in the 80's and early 90's, so I hope the Fashion Police will forgive me for that, lol.

That's okay, neither am I (hence my username). I just love a good fashion bashin', lol. You seem really nice, so DON'T butt out, okay?

Or what "fashions" should NEVER have been worn in ANY public setting in the first place, or are more appropriate for middle-aged individuals or expectant mothers than for college-aged girls.

As a shorty, I gotta agree w/ that! I am only 5'0 and it is soooo hard to find cute pants that are the right length-And I cant wear petite sizes, because either the 'butt' or front is way to big and pouchy looking. So my suggestion is get pants hemmed. It might seem like a hassel, but it makes you look much more comfortable and put together.

Also, as a resident of hot humid texas weather, my suggestion is don't wear to much makeup. You know as soon as you walk outside it will start to melt. So go easy on the foundation/powder, or use sweatproof, and waterproof mascara! And super-shiny goopy lips are so unattractive! Easy on the lipstick/gloss!

From my own personal experience....
 

Also, while wearing what you are comfortable in is a good idea, <b>do</b> try andf find something that isn't exactly like the fashions that everyone else is wearing.

Standing out in the crowd, as long as you are not presenting yourself/dressing offensively, is usually a good thing when sisters have to see two hundred girls in a day, and you're only one of them.

I will tell you to NOT do what I did when I was a PNM going through Formal at my school:

I wore something that would intentionally get me axed from most of the sororities' lists, because I did not want to be chosen because of my clothing style. (Like it or not, it does sometimes happen) I typically dress in pretty wild fashions, so I simply did a toned-down version of my clothing, minus the skirt; I wore a mandarin top with black slacks and open-toes slides. I wore my hair down, and I didn't wear any makeup. My hair was also cherry-red at the time, so that probably didn't help either....

It takes a lot of guts to go against any fashion norms during recruitment, and while FR might not be the best time to show your deviant style 110%, if you do dress differently from the avaerage rushee, make sure that you're doing it in a respectful way. Let the Sisters get an idea of who you are, but also show them that while you ask them to respect your different style, you are also willing to show them respect by toning things down for Formal; you don't need white skin and blacked eyes for ANY sorority event, INCLUDING Formal!

Oh, while we're on the topic of hair dye, if you dye your hair ANY unnatural colors like blue or green, PLEASE make sure that your color is freshly done and that none of it is on your neck/scalp; I had dyed hair before formal and what I did was redye it a week before so that if I did get any dye stains on my skin, it would have faded before I was seen at Formal.

Whats the general opinion on flip-flops? I live in them but am afraid to wear them during rush since I don't want to appear too casual or disrespectful.

i think it depends on where you live. Here (in CA) I feel like you could possibly wear them on the first night since it is the most casual. However, if you're uncertain I wouldn't wear them. Lots of stores carry flip flops with little kitten heels that are just as comfortable but don't look like you're going to the beach.

As an alumna and advisor I would prefer not to see flip flops. Believe me, I have quite the collection and live in mine during the summer but I think they are too casual for most Recruitment parties. Wear some cute sandals instead, they can be dressed up or down more than flip flops. Whatever shoes you choose, just make sure you've broken them in first to avoid blisters.

Good luck!

For Philanthropy Day, since you're going to be doing crafts and stuff, what is advisable to wear? I mean, you don't want to get out there in a super nice outfit and get it ruined.

Another word about philanthropy day...

Don't worry about making your craft project. Seriously. You won't be cut for making an ugly flowerpot. In fact, don't worry about even finishing the craft at all-- go slow and take your time-- this is a way to really chat with your recruiter and take time to get to know her while doing something together.

Exception: if your Rush is on the west coast, in AZ or NV where it is still 90+ in Sept and everyone is still wearing summer clothes.

Maybe for the west coast but definitely not in the south--even if if it is 90+.

Well here in New Mexico that is not an exception. Just because it is 90+ doesn't mean that you can dress like you would for the summer.

um...
 

I personally do not think that it's unacceptable everywhere and it's just a matter or the taste of the individual.

So c'mon you guys, let's put the great white debate behind ourselves and get back to more critical issues! I honestly think (or most certainly would like to hope) that that will be the last thing on ANYBODY's mind while they are looking for good genuinely sweet and intelligent girls to join their sisterhood. Not what color they wore.

You are right. Outward appearances do not matter at all. We as a society have gone beyond caring about outward appearances and clothes. That is not what makes you who you are. Hell we could run around naked if we are all genuinely sweet and intelligent.

Re: um...
 

With ANY recruiting experience (be it rush or a job interview), dress/appearance is important. In a setting such as this, first impressions are key. I believe that appropriate attire is 50% of a good first impression. :)

Back to the original topic:

*Dirty hair. Gross.

*Work out gear.

*Your uniform from work.

Along those lines--make sure your undergarments are always appropriate for your outfit, rain or shine!

I don't know if it's been said before, but don't be afraid to ask your rho chi (or recruitment counselor) if your outfit is appropriate for that day.

Also, since our houses were about a 10-15 minute walk from our doors, I wore flip flips and carried my heels with me (definitely saved my feet). We were able to leave our shoes with our rho chis when we went in the individual houses for parties.

What Not to Wear to Rush
 

Inspired by the leggings debate in the What to Wear to Rush thread: what are some things that you think are unacceptable to wear to rush? I'll start.

*skirts so short that everyone can see your business
*shirts that are low-cut (especially if you have a large chest)
*Crocs
http://www.bever.nl/images/actueel/p...rocs_beach.jpg
*anything wrinkled, dirty, or otherwise sloppy/messy

OK granted I had not planned on wearing Crocs expect maybe on bid day but now I am planning on wearing something else. But my question is why not Crocs? Do they really make that bad of an impression on people? I personally think they are adorable and LOVE them, but opted to wear heels for the 1st day of recruitment.

They're just not the most attractive footwear in the world (especially the bright colors). IMO, if you want something comfortable, I'd go with flip flops over Crocs.