Betsey Johnson is a bit loud for pref IMO.

Agreed. Freaking love Betsey Johnson and I don't have super conservative tastes even for major events, but Miz Johnson can be a little out there for something like pref. But totally fun for a semiformal!

Well it depends on what you buy. I stay away from cheap dresses (for major events...I love them when I'm going out and it doesn't matter) whenever possible because they almost never fit right and I have definitely had embroidery come undone at an event or a seam start unraveling, but on the plus side if you find the right one, it looks appropriate, and it doesn't last for more than pref, who cares? It's only $30. That being said, the ones I posted were the only ones I thought were appropriate out of pages and pages of "party" dresses. So...yeah. You do have to be careful.

I'm so quoting this back to my mom the next time she asks me why I waste my money on really incredible dresses (only she calls them completely unnecessary purchases.)

And I am a mom...and I so get this concept. Perhaps this is why salespeople know my name wherever I go shopping.

Now that I spend my own money on "unnecessary purchases" we no longer fight over them, but it doesn't stop her from reminding me to be more practical. (Which is fair...but I love clothes. So much.)

Wow this board exploded!
Well I went shopping again today and had an similarly awful time finding anything I liked for pref :\ Got shoes for the other days and am pretty much set for every day but pref. I think I'm going to order the Dillards one and see what happens/if I like it when it gets here. I'm also making my way through all the links posted.. loving what everyone is putting, ya'll are so great! Admittedly, some of it is WAY out of my budget.. but fun to look at :)

My greek handbook had people wearing what I personally consider "nice sundresses" instead of something more classy/cocktail.. but I suppose that's where the whole "kick it up a notch" comes into play. There is no specifications regarding color. I know a few girls that rushed last year and each had a different color pref dress.

Don't mind me if I just jump in here to get a critical opinion on the dress I'm considering for Prefs.

From my school's Greek Life facebook page, this is what they posted for Preference Round 'What to Wear', with the caption of "semi-formal attire is generally appropriate. Women tend to wear semi-formal dresses and skirts, similar to what one might wear to a wedding or reception."

I am considering this dress. Is the dress/ any tea length too conservative? Would it be prudent to have a cardigan as well?

ETA: I will be rushing at SLU

I like your dress a LOT more than what the girls in the picture are wearing. (Yellow dress w/ black shoes, bleah!! Even if you're a Steelers fan!!)

I don't think you'd need a cardigan unless it's for warmth purposes. The neckline/sleeves are fine. Better to be too conservative than look ho-like. I'm not sure which looks dressier in person, the dupioni or the peau de soie, but I would go w/ the less dressy of the two. I also wouldn't go super dressy w/ the jewelry.

Would I be remiss to wear anything other than heels?

Wear a high enough heel to balance the hem, but don't wear something that's so high you'll be miserable.

That yellow dress would look a million times better with nude shoes...not black. :confused: The dress you've picked is IMO cuter than theirs...and better safe than sorry. I think it's extremely cute and if you are afraid of looking bland get some kickass shoes. (And skip the cardigan.)
Assuming you're buying it in black...
Escher
In the red, nude, or black croc.
Jesenia
This would look pretty awesome with the black dress in the red they offer.
Masquerade
In the "pink multi"...my personal favorite, but not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure.
BooBoo
In nude...very classy.

Or if you want to stick with all black:
Baby
Kirsi

If you go with a flashy shoe pick some understated earrings (small pearls, small diamonds, etc.) and if you go with black you have leeway to pick some that have some color or flash (like these or these, maybe).

And for my favorite source for cheap accessories and shoes...
Versie
Isabella
Black Peep Toe
Velisha

And earrings for black shoes:
These or these

Sorry for the essay...just having fun doing this!

I would wear heels unless you find flats that are so fabulous they'll stand out (or compromise and go with a kitten heel or wedge...both more comfortable than pumps or stilettos). But if you do and are worried about walking to parties grab some flip flops for in between and a bag to keep them in. Your Recruitment Counselor should hold them between parties.

Thank you all- 33girl, Alumiym -so much!

Your dress is fine, a lot of the actives will be wearing black but that's ok. And I bet that she just grabbed shoes and wasn't actually suggesting yellow dress with black shoes :p

And enjoy SLU :D

Ok, the dress that I saw was a LBD, not tea length. The LBD, shortened to whatever is appropriate where you live is fabulous. (See the MadMen thread. We love our retro clothes.)

I meant to post yesterday that when I was at Dilliards, all of their "Social" dresses that were already 50% off were an additional 30%. There were some extremely cute ones at GREAT prices that totally would have worked for Pref. I hope you find one!:D:D