A while back on the SAI Listserv, there was a discussion about the use of non-SAI colors(crimson and white). It was started by a sister at a HB college and their chapter strictly wore red and white, and most of us had never given a second thought to the use of non-SAI colors. She thought it was wrong to wear other colors, while many of us didn't.

The discussion did make me take notice how members of NPHC GLO's only wear their colors. And this is so in SAI chapters at HB colleges. While I had never considered this viewpoint before, it makes a lot of sense to me. When I see members of AKA, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta(as well as the fraternities) around campus sporting their letters, I know right away what group they're in because of the colors before I even see the letters. And I think that's totally cool...seems like it's another way to instill a sense of unity and to distinguish you from other groups.

Even though some of my Fraternity Brothers has worn different colors, I try to stay true to wearing the fraternity's colors of royal Blue and White.

I would say this is very true of you guys - one of our chapter sweethearts is a Sinfonia man, and he has some crazy letters (flames, metallics, etc) but he will always at minimum have them on a black sweatshirt or backing.

Interesting topic.

Like most NPC orgs, AEPhi has no rules regarding color of letters. I myself have several floral patterns, and I've seen star prints, cow prints, tie-dye, leopard print, as well as solid letters in a variety of colors other than green and white.

My local sorority had a tradition of "sister shirts" that you got right after initiation. Alternating class years got either green letters on purple shirts or purple letters on green shirts. So everyone had at least one shirt in the sorority's colors. Other than that, though, the sky was the limit.

Another question for NPHC members - Do you view it as stepping on your toes when a non-NPHC org shares your colors? e.g., Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Theta both use black and gold. (Not that anyone would mistake a Theta for an APhiA or vice versa... :p )

some people get really particular about colors, but I think it's pretty silly. If some other group shares the same colors it's no big deal- nobody owns colors (except maybe Crayola, lol).

for the most part: yeah, what he said. no biggie (FOR ME) if it's everyday wear, i.e. jeans & a red t-shirt. however, if one is interested in an NPHC sorority and one is attending a function of said sorority, it's probably not a good idea to show up wearing said organization's colors.

Originally posted by aephi alum


Another question for NPHC members - Do you view it as stepping on your toes when a non-NPHC org shares your colors? e.g., Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Theta both use black and gold. (Not that anyone would mistake a Theta for an APhiA or vice versa... :p )


It is like enlightenment06 said, nobody owns colors. To wear your own colors is a way of showing pride in your org and not wearing someone else's colors shows respect for their org. Like I said earlier, I could get a shirt with pink or red letters, but for one it would not feel right and some NPHC people may look at me funny.

For me personally, I have had shirts made with different patterns, I just don't do it with certain plain colors and combo of colors. Afterall, tiger stripes can look good on anyone!!!

yeah we dont have any rules for only wearing our letters in our colors, i have a pair of black and white letters even, and distributors always come to our house with like camo and pattern letters too. I dont really think those are very cool however. Well one other thing is that buff is kind of hard to get all in the same shade on a shirt and like no even bothers so they just buy yellow because it looks better anyways.