Initiation Dress Ideas
 

Hey GC! So my initiation is fast approaching, and I'm so excited! Anyone have any cute ideas for a white dress to wear...oh and shoes to go with it. Links or pictures would be appreciated. I think this will be a good thread for other girls who are also getting initiated soon too :)

I noticed a TON of white dresses while looking at the Dillards site for the girl looking for a Pref dress:

http://www.dillards.com/product/Lond...pecialoccasion


This one's inspired by Pippa's bridesmaid dress:
http://www.dillards.com/product/JS-C...pecialoccasion


http://www.dillards.com/product/Suga...pecialoccasion


http://www.dillards.com/product/Chel...pecialoccasion




I tried to pick out some of the more modest ones - many chapters have modesty rules.

And, of course, if you've got a pile of money laying around, there's always Lilly's Little White Dress Collection:

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/women/t...ttlewhitedress

I love this dress but it seems as if when we had our last initiation dress thread, there were sororities that required white, not off-white. Does anyone remember?

i do believe that most sororities that require a white dress for rituals, require it to be white-not off-white, no colored trim, and of modest design(meaning not too short and often the dress needs to have sleeves and not be too low cut).

i was in a super target yesterday and saw a cute white dress. it had short sleeves and appeared to be a wrap dress-i couldn't help but think,"that would make a good ritual dress".

Haha, I'll never recover from that after buying clothes for 6 rushes in 7 years. Last week after a trip to the mall, I emailed a relative who's rushing this fall and urged her to get her white dress now!

i know, right? i will probably be 80 years old still spotting white dresses!!

And I think there's at least one that initiates in black...she'll have to check her rules.

That dress didn't appear off-white, even though it's labeled that way. It would depend on how it looked in person. Doesn't really matter for the OP, though, since after I looked at it again, it's not available until September. Might be an option for a fall rushee.

I'm just hanging out in my rocking chair keeping kids off my lawn, but two of those (1st and 3rd) I find inappropriately short for ritual or initiation. I know every group has their own specifics but dang that's a lot of knee and thigh.

I don't have any issue with knees showing though, and neither does that Kappa next to me.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c_DhsUVd3g...l+costumes.jpg

^^^I'd be right there with you, but you have to realize that the women in those pics are probably at least 5'8", and most of us...aren't. It's not going to be as short on most women as it appears on the model.

I'm with AlphaFrog. All the dresses that look ridiculously short, would probably hit my knees... However on the other hand, dresses that don't look low cut tend to dip a bit more on women who are bigger up top. So as always one must try the dress on.

Here are some dresses from Express. While they might not look white, they are actually. I have one of these dresses and it is white. Not sure why it looks off.

http://www.express.com/eyelet-rouched-sleeveless-dress-35937-22/control/page/5/show/3/index.pro

Nordstrom:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-...resultback=535

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-ri...esultback=1221

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-ri...esultback=2319

H&M has had a bunch recently as well. However, they do not have an online catalog for the US.

Here's a BUNCH from Eshakti.com. The greatest thing about ordering from there is that they will pretty much alter any dress to suit your needs (add sleeves, make it knee length or ankle length or ___length) and you can have it basically custom tailored to your body. I've ordered one dress from them and I'm really happy with it. It isn't anything SUPER, but it's a well fitting wrap dress that I regularly wear to work. Value for money and what have you. So! Here we go:

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...L0021659&pcat=

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0020197

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0021599

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0021599

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...hes&cate=solid dresses&productid=CL0019419

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0019334

And some of us have boobs, hips, no hips, broad shoulders etc. Hence why dressing people we've never met doesn't make a bit of sense. Then again, neither does asking us what to wear. So everyone involved is nuts.

Oh, chillax. It's just a way for us who enjoy it to window shop.with a specific direction, as opposed to just looking at random cute things. Besides, if a girl who has almost completed her first year of college doesn't realize that not every dress is going to work tor every girl, she's got bigger problems than ritual wardrobe.

Go back to WoW and find yourself a date for this weekend instead of worrying about us dressing the PNMs.

Or, go back to posting links rather than worrying about what I post if you disagree?

And I'll go on continuing to point out why I think it's silly. And you can leave your weak digs out of it.

This whole post seems like one big pot and kettle orgy. But I wouldn't know, I'm not really into that.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Some of you have some really cute ideas that I'll def. be looking into :)

Drolefille, take a chill pill. This was just meant to get some cute dress ideas. If you think this thread is dumb or makes no sense, then you shouldn't have wasted your own time commenting on it. There is no need for the negativity, and I hate how someone always has something bad to say about every thread. Then why even have a forum at all? Oh and btw I guess you're "nuts" too, since you just involved yourself in this thread (think about it) ;)

I think it was you who first recommended eShakti on GC, right? Since then, I've ordered 3 dresses from there and have been happy every time (I'm wearing one right now).

So, the proof is in the pudding, I guess!

Get your dress and stop wrapping yourself up in GreekChat nonsense - you have to know this won't end well.

Phi Mu's Pledging ceremony requires that all members wear pastel, with white or off-white being the preferred color. I think that's pretty much because there are usually only a few days between when girls are given bids and when Pledging is held, so it's easier for them to find something to wear that's pastel. Initiation, however, requires white or off-white, even if it's only a slip (does anyone actually wear slips anymore outside of Ritual?).

One of my favorite stores is White House | Black Market, and they usually have some white dresses (and SKIRTS! Don't forget that is usually an option, too!) available. This one is my personal favorite of their current styles, but they also have a few nice ones on clearance, too. (Here, here, here, and here.) And, I can tell you from experience, their clothing almost always fits and flatters me, and I'm a bit of a teapot--a short and stout size 12. Hope you find something cute! :)




And, as a side note... I seem to remember being taught growing up that, if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. Seems we all need a little reminder of that once in a while.

This differs by chapter, because it was not our custom. But I think the point you are making is a good one: you can't buy your pledging/initiation dresses until you know what is required.

We weren't allowed to wear skirt/shirt combos for Initiation. It was okay for Pledging (since, as you mentioned, there isn't much time for shopping), as was off-white, but not at all for Initiation.

thanks! that is why i said "most". i do not say for sure if i don't know for sure.

If you're a Phi Mu (sorry; I can't tell from your screen name and I don't post often enough to know), I guarantee you it doesn't vary from chapter to chapter. The guidelines are set forth in The Ritual. Many chapters have customs or traditions, but The Ritual always has the final say. For instance: One of our local chapters always used to wear white for the Founders' Day ceremony, until one year they finally decided to join the alumnae and discovered they could wear ANYTHING so long as it was badge appropriate (which is described in the Bylaws). Usually those customs stem from one person not knowing any better and forcing their inexperience on others. ;)

I am a Phi Mu, and I am not going to talk about ritual on the board, except to say that my chapter did not require what you are claiming we required.

This may or may not work for length, but L.L. Bean has a white washable linen dress that comes in misses, and women's plus sizes in regular and petite lengths. It is kind of a shift dress, and yeah, linen after Labor Day may give some people the vapors, but for $49.50 it seems like a good deal. Also linen is cooler and in a crowded room full of women that may be a bonus. It allegedly comes to the knee (though that varies for each person) and has short cap sleeves. It can be washed and dried in a regular washer and dryer and LL Bean is great about returns and guarantees their products.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68023?feat=506213-GN2

Land's End has a white dress as well that is at least knee length but has no sleeves. It has sold out in quite a few sizes but is real cute. They are also great about returns, they can be done in a Sears store.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/EyeletDre...s&origin=index


Just don't forget appropriate undergarments like a slip, I'M SERIOUS :mad:

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

Here are a couple more links to some white dresses I liked:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-al...ttlewhitedress
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults

I realize some of these dresses might show a little too much shoulder, but it's not hard to find a cute little white shrug or cardi to go over the top.

That dress would be totally fine in AOII. Our goal is to be in white and not flashy. That covers what it should and is not distracting. Ritual is not about being cute. If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

I suppose if that was the case, it would be alright, as long as you looked polished and wore the right undergarments. :)

Which brings us to........ WEAR FLESH TONED UNDERGARMENTS! :D NOT WHITE!

I frankly have no idea of the standards of other groups, my point was to suggest something affordable, easy care, and no issues with having to find a second piece like a white cardigan or having cleavage issues. I'd rather see every woman in a simple linen shift than crazy ass lace and satin wedding dresses or trying to cover up with shawls and inappropriate cardigans.

If a sister came to me with any of your suggestions we'd have sleeve issues and on some women, cleavage and length issues. As we both said it can be remedied but sometimes it is just easier to have a dress that is completely good to go and not have to keep track of the other pieces. Also, dry cleaning is a pain and an extra cost as well as requiring some planning that busy collegians (and alumnae) may choose to avoid.

Being "cute" during initiation or ritual never crossed my mind. One because I am always cute no matter what I wear, and second this is a private time with my sisters. At schools where there is a tradition of presentations or being in public in white, maybe that would be an issue, but finding an affordable white dress is hard and my suggestion covers women who may have a hard time due to size or height.

I am considering buying one because my sister's ivory lace and chiffon wedding dress I currently wear has beading that is slowly coming off and is so heavy and long I have to wear heels and I get hot and tired. It also doesn't have any depth on the neckline so my no torso having self wouldn't have to get it taken up to keep my bodacious tatas appropriate.

Someone should just start a company that specializes in white (or other approved colors) dresses where people pick what they need and women get them made with approved standards by their I/HQ. Send in your measurements, identify your organization, get a dress and not have to worry. Imagine the discounts if whole pledge classes and campuses are purchasing. They could be sufficiently lined and made with fabric that isn't inappropriate (sequins and stretch velvet, can't make that up!), and there could still be allowance for individual variation with necklines, sleeves, waist, and so on.

thats a really good idea. im surprised those companies that make dresses etc. for recruitment haven't done this.

I 100% agree! Now I'm coming up with ideas for this in my head. I don't know why anyone hasn't come up with this before, considering the amount of companies there are out there specializing in Greek gifts and apparel.

True, but white undergarments are better than printed, colored, or none at all.

I also need to say that silver, glitter, and Lucite or other plastic/see through shoes may not be the best or even an allowed choice of footwear with initiation dresses. Platform and stilletos can make a girl in a long gown a juggernaut of death on a staircase. I say these things because I've seen them and light up plastic platform with a gold heel have a time and a place and initiation/ritual isn't one of them.

I haven't been in a Payless shoe store in years but according to some "show girls" I know they get dyeable shoes to match their gowns over the internet or in person from Payless and those shoes are already white so it saves time and they come up to a 12 and the shipping is free. It used to be dyeables but now they call them "unforgettable moments" and their website is www.unforgettablemoments.com if you happen to be a "show girl" or just a regular lady needing white shoes after labor day.

It is vitally important to have that azure blue cat suits are actually azure and not navy or cobalt. If I were a TriDelta I'd definitely want a wetsuit with neoprene that keeps me insulated while I'm in the tank with the dolphins.

Tee hee. :p

I laughed out loud at this. Partly because of the mental image, and partly because it's so true.

With a bit of thought obviously I'm cute, nothing short of adorable, but what I think it really is best described as, is charm and confidence. Looking cute, feeling cute.

I make rubber boots, jeans rolled up to the knee, a well loved Idaho t-shirt, hair that has been washed in the river, and my aviators look like I'm doing runway in my field clothes. There's a reason why I was often chosen as the negotiator and errand runner; I'm capable of getting things done, but I'm comfortable and at ease when I haven't used indoor plumbing or had a real shower/bath for weeks*. Some people would be mortified or unable to cope with having to talk to strangers, let alone while not maintaining normal clothing and bathing practices, and it just doesn't bother me as long as I am appropriate for the situation. That extends to initiation dresses, am I appropriately dressed for the occasion? Check. Awesome, now it is time to be squirrely with a chosen few!

* I have soap and water and I clean myself and my clothes, sometimes we go to town and use showers and the laundromat, so it isn't like I'm some dirty hippie covering it up with patchouli, ohhkuhhhhrrrrrrrrr!