I would mention it to my rec writers.
Just MHO.

I'd find someone to ask about cowboy boots, because I know that I've seen lots of girls in sundresses and cowboy boots in Texas.

You might be able to make booties work with a pref dress.

http://www.zappos.com/coolway-nelia-cognac

http://www.zappos.com/toms-majorca-p...ede-perforated

I'm not so bad that I can't walk without the orthotics. However I'll tear a ligament and put myself back in a boot if I'm not REALLY careful. I did this after I wore heels when I was a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding.
I think cowboy boots are my best bet for the casual days. For philanthropy day, I can try to find some comfortable wedges (I've been looking, some of the comfortable ones really aren't bad). And on pref night I'm going to carry bigger purse or take a wal mart bag and hide it in a bush and put on my heels at the last second, and just deal with the pain. At my school you can go to a maximum of two pref parties (there are only 6 sororities on campus). hopefully I'll be lucky enough to be invited to two and if I show up to bid day in a boot, then it was worth it. If I make sure my hair is amazing, my cat eye is flawless, and my clothes are cute, nobody is going to pay that much attention to my shoes.

Talk to your Rho Gamma. She should be able to help you out with this.

At most schools the first round/s of rush are quite casual. I don't see the Converse or cowboy boots as a problem. But I think I'd get working on finding a cute functional shoe that is a smidge dressier for preference. One really good shoe in a neutral color is worth the significant expense. If you take care of them they can last you for years. It doesn't need to be a high heel. And I personally think total flats are gacky (maybe my brain defending my inability to wear them). But there's a lot of ground in between those two ends of the spectrum. And yes, my princess feet do great in a wedge, even a high one.

Good luck!

I'm sure everyone posting (non-orthotic-wearing) means well - I'm sure, because I "know" you guys from your posts. That said, I'm totally losing it here. THERE ARE NO REALLY GOOD SHOES IN ANY COLORS that will accommodate many/most orthotics. I'd gladly spend a thousand dollars or more to have that "one really good pair" if only they existed. I'm positive that the OP has been searching for footwear and is having the same experiences that I have had (and so many others, FWIW).

Total flats, if they have enough "volume", may work with orthotics. It's all a matter of luck, truthfully.

That's the bottom line. My hope for the OP is that this will become a non-issue as her recruitment progresses.

I'm a mom. The idea that you are going to tear a ligament just to wear cute shoes to pref is giving me a heart attack. Don't do it! Can you wear sequin Converse for pref, and have your Rho Gams drop a word to the pref chairs?

Okay, random act of Momming over. Ignore me as you wish. :)

Sequin Converses:

http://www.amazon.com/Converse-Sequi...equin+converse

I have custom-made orthotics. I'm not really sure how large yours are, but I didn't get a choice in size and I'd say that mine are pretty thick to accommodate my high arch. I used to have to wear them almost constantly for about a year when I was experiencing severe foot pain.

What I found is that I was most easily able to accommodate my orthotics in boots, just like you can in cowboy boots. I remember when I went to pick them up, I was wearing moccasin boots, and the orthopedist was surprised that they accommodated my orthotics once I took their insoles out. Luckily for me, the fabric that they were made of had enough give that they were able to accommodate the orthotics. Unfortunately, I didn't really try the orthotics out in summer-y type shoes (preferring to wear walking sneakers and deal with foot pain when I absolutely had to wear something dressy on my feet--I don't always make the best decisions :P), and thankfully it's no longer something I worry about (I'm mostly orthotic free now).

Additionally, I've seen my BF's mother wear Mary Janes and I've been told she wears orthotics as well. I'm not sure where they were from, but they looked like they could've come from Clarks or a similar company. I'm not sure what her orthotics look like, and I wonder if she had special "dress" ones made like a previous poster mentioned.

If you're going to go looking for shoes, I would suggest looking for shoes that are pretty padded and have removable insoles. They should already be made to fit a bigger insole than normal, and you'll hopefully be able to remove them to fit yours in. Also, look for shoes that are made with an upper that allows stretch and try sizing up to see if that allows your orthotics to fit. I think Mary Jane flats with removable insoles might be a good idea, as long as they can fit your insole, since they have more structure than a regular flat.

I understand what it's like to have foot pain, and I really hope you can find something that works for you!

Would Mary Janes like this work?

http://www.zappos.com/gabor-gabor-35...k-samtchevreau

Your concern is actually really sweet. My mom said, "do what you have to do" but I'm going shopping on Monday (after I get my paycheck) and hopefully it won't come to that!

I get a catalog about once a quarter from a company that has a variety of 'good' shoes. I have a very wide foot and also have a hard time finding fashionable shoes. I did a quick Google search and found a few links that have one or two options that could work for Pref.

http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-sh...ct1,sf471/1/60

http://www.zappos.com/footwear-ortho...alesStyle/desc

Do you really want to affiliate yourself with a group of women who would cut you because you couldn't wear shoes *they* like?

How do you normally handle church, weddings, prom, etc?

She can't to explain to every sister in every sorority why she's wearing attire that many would consider inappropriate for the situation.

I just caught up on the replies (had only read the first page before I initially posted), and I agree with KDCat. Definitely, definitely, definitely do not wear heels if you might tear a ligament. This is coming from someone who admittedly wore shoes that caused her tendon pain while she was dealing with tendonitis in her foot. Eventually I just wore comfortable shoes because I realized it wasn't worth it to be in pain. A torn ligament is not just painful, it can be very serious, and I would not wear heels if that is what you're risking.

If wedges are comfortable for you and you're not going to risk tearing your ligament, I would recommend wearing wedges to preference. If that's not the case, then look for something else, but do not wear shoes that you're going to risk seriously injuring yourself with.

This are great links!

This shoe in particular caught my eye. If it can fit your custom orthotic, it seems like it could be a cute and comfortable choice.

http://www.zappos.com/revere-charlotte-black-mesh