Bless their hearts, they just wanted to help! But.... it didn't quite work out.

I like how the title of this thread has turned into an existential question...as in, "Life on Mars?"

I realize I (and some of us) are a touch older than a 2011 PNM and don't get me wrong, I have some items in my closet that aren't rush appropriate; but the Blanche side eye was in full effect because of the shoes and the dress together. If it was one or the other I probably wouldn't have made a comment. The shoes just seem impractical for hoofing around during rush and standing. The other dress is cute but I think it is too short for my comfort to make sure it is covering everything while sitting or to prevent a slight breeze from a potential Marilyn Monroe moment. I have a short torso and need to take things up so things being too short shouldn't be a problem except the length from my torso was moved to my hips. This is a time where you can trust someone with a big butt and a smile, if standing it is that high on the thigh, sitting or going up and down stairs is potential for everyone to see London, France, and hopefully underpants instead of the Coppertone Girl area.

See what I wrote above. I think the top of that dress is hot, and I'd wear it to go to a club or for cocktails, but there's a lot of white and stripes that aren't for me.

My other immediate inspirations were Janis Joplin and random 1980s metal hair bands, I can see in my mind a picture of some band where the guys had feathers, my eldest sister or cousins had posters or LPs. It is a trend I'd never do as it would probably make me itch and since I have cats I don't need them attacking my head. Speaking of cats, did you see the website I linked to in my first post? They have hair feathers for pets, UM WHAT?

No Toms, not because they are an over done trend or are potentially a problem due to social and political issues, or can be ugly as sin in some cases, NO because they have little to no support and your feet will probably hurt but when you get older avoiding crap like that will hopefully avoid more foot problems. Though it may be over since it was mentioned last year, no Vibram toe shoes, just avoid those with Crocs & UGGs. Oh and I'm going to save time and stereotype you since you're from Colorado, but don't even consider socks and sandals. Chacos could go either way (comfortable, no hot feet:clunky on some and exposure of poor foot maintenance), butmake sure to look in a mirror or ask the opinion of someone else for shoes. Sometimes with shorts or pants things can look fine from above and make one look stumpy or amputated face on.

Maybe the way her eyes are set and if they are a dark color it appears in print that she has on more eye makeup than it seems, especially with her hair being dark as well and they are in the shade. I have light hair and eyes and fair skin so I have the opposite issue, though I keep it to mainly mascara as I've got the Arctic/Nordic/Asian eyelids where my lid is mostly obscured and even more so when my allergies or sinuses cause swelling. I just go with mascara and eye liner now as eye shadow can barely be seen and just blends together. Luckily I have good eyebrows so if I get dramatic I can go up and out towards my ears with color.

While at the salon today making a manicure appointment I noticed an advertisement for "Fine Feather Heads" at the front desk. I about died.

Wait.. I tend to stay out of these conversations, as I am a PNM myself, but people actually asked if they could wear toe shoes to recruitment?! Oh my heavens.

I really like the way the style guide shows a variety of body types in their suggested clothes. However, that pref picture is a whole nuther kind of variety. Yowza.

Love all of this except the kitten heel suggestion. I know they used to be a comfortable, stylish option, but in my opinion are very outdated/matronly for the 17-22 age group. Since Mizzou holds recruitment during August, I'd stick with sandals, Sperrys, or wedges for the first 3 rounds. High heels are a must on pref imo unless you're 5'10"+. If you're worried about pain, just bring tennis shoes to wear inbetween parties. It'll look goofy, but you'll be comfortable and still classy looking during the parties.

I just went through rush at Mizzou last year, and that is mostly what the girls wore. Some chose to wear khaki shorts or even skirts, but that was a very small portion of the group. Most people kept it pretty cute-but-casual.

Oh no, I wish it was just that. There may have been a PNM who mentioned it last year at this time, but I was living without computer & internet so I can't be positive. However I do remember a woman saying they were seen at recruitment on a PNM, and I'm pretty sure it was at a big SEC rush, maybe UGA?


Khaki shorts and skirts are my definition of cute and casual, and I'd include darker denim items in that as well. Any distressed, faded, deconstructed, cut off, stringy, frayed, or worn cuffs/legs isn't the best choice for events when you're trying to make a good impression. Casual and cute can unknowingly and unintentionally transform into sloppy and skanky.

What's were people wearing for footwear? Do you think the hair feathers & glitter would be a poor choice at Missou since you're part of the campus and have a better idea?

hootyhoo I disagree with your kitten heel advice. In general the term kitten heel isn't well defined or understood, and is frequently used incorrectly. Originally it was the description for heels shorter than a stiletto, higher than a flat, and for young women. Look at these 94 items from Nordstrom that were a result of searching "kitten heel" and I see plenty of things that are neither outdated or matronly, and are appropriate for women 17-22. http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?keyword...edictiveSearch Heels under four inches and kitten heels will look matronly when worn with an outfit that doesn't complement the shoe. Women need to figure out what the look or theme of their dress/outfit is to find shoes that make the look congruent. The bigger problem is that most of the dresses out there and women this age choose, don't even come to their knee and are too short or too club trend to carry off a lower or kitten heel.

I don't think any PNM, regardless of being under 5'10" :rolleyes: should consider high heels a must for preference or any other situation. High heels are often defined at 3.5" inches and above, and those aren't for every woman. Women need to find shoes that are comfortable, walkable, appropriate for the occasion, safe, and if that is not a high heel then so be it.

I don't personally adhere to trends from fashion week(s), but kitten heels (Stella McCartney, Valentino) were popular at Paris Fashion Week last October, with the collections shown at that time for spring and summer 2011. Anything that was haute couture has well made it into ready to wear lines and would be fine for a place like Mizzou. More have been seen this summer in Britain, & with the Duchess of Cambridge rocking them I can imagine many 17-22 year old sorority women seeing her as a fashion and style icon to look to and emulate. Christian Louboutin, Oscar De Renta, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Miu Miu, DKNY, Pedro Garcia, Badgley Mischka, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman and more all have low or kitten heel shoes available.

Kitten Heels are definately high fashion at the moment. I wear high heels a lot, but to PNMs not used to wearing heels who want to wear them for recruitment, I'd advise wedges. Kitten heels are lower, but because of the smaller base of the heel, still feel a bit wobbly if you're not used to heels.

Or if you're me, a wedge of any height is a surefire way to turn your ankle and fall. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/...-for-your-feet I also think in the long term a wedge is less classic than a low or kitten heel and would not get as much reuse with outfits and wardrobes.

PNMs, you need to practice walking in your new shoes, of any height or style, on various surfaces. Cement, grass, carpet, linoleum, hard wood floors, and have a soundtrack while you practice. I suggest RuPaul "Supermodel" http://www.youtube.com/z2wrU2tkl38 "Covergirl - Put the Bass in Your Walk" http://youtu.be/N3RB_56WziA

True. Same goes for every girl/woman who's new to wearing heels.

Since this thread has become about shoes, I'll just ask: is it ok to wear the same pair of shoes more than once during recruitment?

If you're on your feet all day, switching to a different pair of shoes the next day (or half way through each day) is a favor your feet will thank you for. I think wearing the same shoes more than once for the casual days is fine, but I will defer to the fashionistas here.