Dressing up shorts?
 

Hi! So I'll be participating in formal recruitment this fall at FSU. However, for "icewaters" or the first round, we're going to be given a recruitment shirt to wear with our choice of shorts/skirt. I guess this is the first year FSU has given us a shirt to wear on the first two days, so I'm looking for ideas on how to do this? The rest of the days I'm prepared for, but I'm not super sure what to do with shorts and a recruitment t-shirt. I don't want to come off as boring or bland, but I don't want to go overboard either! Any ideas of bottoms/outfits/etc would be great! :)

Go for interesting accessories, particularly conversation pieces with a cool story behind them. For example, if you have a fun boutique in your hometown, buy a bracelet there that, if asked, you can explain where you got it and talk about your hometown a bit.

Cute (but comfortable! lots of standing/walking) sandals also are a good idea.

I've noticed that during recruitment, I'm more likely to notice the bright/interesting accessories if they're near the PNM's face. I would say that interesting earrings or a (tasteful-no giant bows or feathers) headband could be a good way to dress up the generic recruitment t-shirt.

are dangly earrings okay if they're not like, HUGE? i feel like they could brighten up an outfit, but on the other hand, i have NO idea what color the shirt is going to be...makes planning a little difficult

I'm going to go on record here, and this may be unpopular, but I'm not a huge fan of the whole "wearing the shirt what Dairy Queen give me" trend during rush because it leaves the PNMs like unconquered14 scrambling.

Then again, I cringe every time my company gives me a logoed polo shirt to wear to an event because I think they're kind of sloppy, so it may be my issue with being forced to conform.

That said, I would hope that they're going to give you shirts in an easy color - something that looks good on most people and isn't hard to match with most shorts/skirts.

Dangly earrings, provided they're neither too over the top nor too formal might be your best bet.

The fact is, since everyone has to wear the same thing that day, your clothes aren't going to be what makes you or breaks you. Strive for neat and presentable, and let your personality be your selling point.

Seriously, I'm all for Panhellenic love and unity, but the t-shirt thing? Meh.

I guess in the past as long as it was "casual" you could wear it. This year they decided to add the t-shirts. I'm just overwhelmed, lol. Dressier is easy, dressed-up-casual-with-an-unknown-shirt? Not so easy, lol. :)

I personally would have no problem with dangly earrings (I like them a lot actually) so long as they are aren't over the top (no peacock feathers falling from your ears) and they're not exceptionally large hoops, because big hoops look tacky on everyone.

we are two peas in a pod with this one ;)

i was thinking of wearing anything other than denim shorts - like white or khaki shorts, since they will look a little nicer than denim. but i was stuck on shoes, do you know what you'll be wearing? i was planning on shopping around for some cute strappy sandals, but i'm not sure if that will be underdressed compared to everyone else..

Hi! Sorry! I keep meaning to message you back but I'm forgetful lately, lol! And that's along the lines of what I was thinking, too. :/ I was thinking a great colored sandal for a pop of color, but not knowing the shirt color doesnt help :( I might even wear low wedges, not too sure yet.

(If this shows up ginormous, forgive me!!)

Have options that you can wear whether the shirt is big on you (you might not have much of a choice in sizes) or if it's more fitted on you. Think neutral colors - beige/khaki, denim, white, even brown.

Some ideas of dressing them up:

• If the t-shirt is longer on you, put a neutral belt over the shirt. You can wear it at your natural waist or your hips, depending on what looks best on you.
• If it's able to be tucked in, wear a silver or gold-toned belt and shoes with similar tones, or tie a cute ribbon/bow or scarf in your belt loops.
• Make sure that skirts aren't so short that if you bend over, you can see your cheeks. You may catch a breeze, so keep an eye on flouncy skirts.
• Make sure that shorts aren't super tight (no camel toe).
• Make sure that items made with lighter fabrics and colors are lined.
• Wear nude-colored underwear.
• Watch for VPL (visible panty lines).

Some bottoms to consider:

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A pencil-type denim skirt (can be dressed up or down, definitely a wardrobe staple!)

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=810129012
http://www3.assets-gap.com/Asset_Arc...9-01p01v01.jpg
http://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif

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A flouncy white skirt (not too short!) - here's one from Banana Republic but they have them everywhere. MAKE SURE it's not see-through (this one is lined)!

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...scid=833899012

http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Arc...9-01p01v01.jpg
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif

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Khaki Skirt - simple, clean lines.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=814826012


http://www3.assets-gap.com/Asset_Arc...6-01p01v01.jpg
http://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gifhttp://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif
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Bermuda Shorts

http://www.thelimited.com/detail/dre...-short/6622240

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Cuffed Denim Shorts (not too short, try a 7-inch inseam)

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/lclaurenconrad/bottoms/PRD~813881/LC+Lauren+Conrad+Cuffed+Denim+Shorts.jsp
http://media.kohls.com.edgesuite.net...0&op_sharpen=1


http://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif

I like the idea of it, but not the reality. And I agree completely about polo shirts, particularly when companies don't even bother to get people gender specific cuts.

I don't mind the idea of uniforms, so it's not the conformity that bothers me; it's that with t-shirts or polo shirts, it's not even something that you can particularly tailor to look good.

I also can't imagine at large recruitments having one less thing that you could use to help people recall having met a particular PNM because they were all dressed alike.

OP: can you think of what you would have worn the last time you had to wear a t-shirt and still wanted to look cute? (Like if your high school does senior t-shirt day near graduation.)

Khaki or white shorts would be perfect. Or even seersucker!!! I love seersucker for the summer, it is a little dressier but SO SO SO cool and comfortable. A really cute sash belt such as:
http://www.vineyardvines.com/product...___14686_13051
would be a really cute way to accessorize and dress things up a bit. You could do a solid color one that matches your shorts to avoid clashing if you don't know the color of the shirt yet and won't find it out for a while.

A headband is also a great idea, as well as fun (but classic) bracelets and jewelry.

This is super helpful! The college that I am going to also gives out a plain jane formal recruitment shirt that everyone wears the first day. I was a little unsure of what to do, I still want my personal style to shine through but not too much! Thanks for the advice! I think that I am going to go with some denim shorts, a cute pair of sandals, and a flower in my hair. :)

I think the best thing you can do is put special attention to how YOU look, your hair, makeup, etc. But don't over do! Your most beautiful NATURAL self will win the day. I've seen some recruitment clothes suggestions from school website where I thought the shorts were all too casual, too short and too tight! Whatever you're going to wear, try standing up from the floor in them. Do you have to tug them out of your crack? (sorry.... no better way!) They're too tight.
Oh, and IMO, lipstick always makes you look more polished, regardless of what you're wearing. If you don't wear it now, you might head to Mac or wherever and get a make over and see if you can find a color and lipliner you're comfortable with. Again, we're not looking for spackled on here, just nicely enhanced and polished looking to make up for same-sameness with all the other girls. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! You've all been super helpful! Keep the suggestions coming :)

My school is doing issued T-shirts with either pants, skirt, or shorts every day of recruitment except for preference. I am planning to wear shorts because it's hot and I heard you may be sitting on the floor (more difficult in a skirt). The standardized shirt thing is taking a lot of the stress and expense out of recruitment for me, so I don't mind. I am planning on longer shorts that are very classic in neutrals since I don't know the color of the T-shirts. I would not do denim because I think that is too casual. For shoes I was considering Sperrys or Toms, but are they too casual for the South? I want to be comfortable, but I also have dressier sandals I could wear. I know this is a trival issue, so thanks for humoring me.

I go to school in Florida, and we have typical southern rush. I remember going to an informal recruitment meeting in January, and even though the Greek Life office stressed casual, warm clothes, most girls were wearing nice clothes and heels, etc. Not saying you should wear heels necessarily, but in my experience (as a pnm) it never hurts to err on the side of dressier

fsu ladies:

Please avoid the jorts(jean shorts) and absolutely NO daisy dukes! if you are wearing white shorts or a white skirt, please check yourself out critically from the rear if you usually wear thong panties. the sorority girls don't need to know what you are wearing underneath! same with patterned or brightly colored undies under white clothing.

remember tallahassee is hilly and you will practically be trekking from one end of campus to the other, so comfortable shoes are key! every pnm is in the same boat as you, so you are all on equal ground as far as wardrobe is concerned-it is time to let your sparkling personalities shine through. definately accessorize with cute earrings, an interesting necklace or bracelet, a sash to thread thru your beltloops or a cute headband. cute, flat(or low heeled) strappy sandals or topsiders are good choices-just make sure they are comfy, won't rub up a blister and that they are broken in.

when my daughter rushed at her school, panhellenic provided a recruitment t-shirt for the first round of parties. it was pastel color(maybe yellow?) and had a design that related to that year's recruitment theme-it was really cute. my daughter, who wears 00 petite was concerned that her shirt might swallow her, but undoubtedly panhellenic had thought about who they were ordering for and ordered tailored fit ones, and her's was not too terribly big on her.

You will be standing and walking a LOT during recruitment!! I would avoid heels until pref. If you insist on heels, make sure they are ones that you can legitimately stand in for 6+ hours.

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was going to be about "formal shorts" as they are called at www.gofugyourself.com I'm a fan of a good denim and/or khaki skirt and I have issues with shorts fitting me right and not having a gap at the butt or hitting my leg at an unfortunate place.

Sperrys are great, Toms not so much. If you have sandals with a low wedge for the later rounds that would be good, and save the high high heels until pref since you will be walking so much. Jack Rogers are perfect now, and the wedged ones look great with a sundress and skirts.

Personally, I wore high heels every night of recruitment except for House Tours, because I am a heel girl and that is very much a part of my personality, lol! It was not that bad because we only had 5 sororities on my campus at the time, but the rounds were pretty far apart. I brought flip flops to wear in between for the walking and it worked out fine! So, if you really really want to wear heels and are as stubborn as I was, go for it!

SPERRYS. People tend to feel one extreme or the other about Toms (either they absolutely love them or think they're megafug).

Just make sure at all costs they are not too SHORT! You do not want to be the "that skanky girl." I think at least a 4 inch inseam would be good. Jcrew has some nice ones in lots of bright colors; and I am sure you could message your gamma chi about the color of the tshirt.

we won't know who our rho gam is until recruitment kick off, and at that point it's the night before rush and no time really to run out and buy coordinating shorts, lol. i tried to msg a friend on panhellenic exec but i don't think they can really talk to us right now, they've already had to take down their facebooks.

These are my summer staple, and I have seen many girls wear them during recruitment.

http://www.loft.com/loft/product/LOF...aultColor=8712

those are great! thanks!

Thanks everybody! This is so helpful. I will ditch the Toms for recruitment and maybe wear the Sperrys just the first day. I do have Jack Rogers and other dressy sandals, so I will do that for most days. My shorts are very similar to the ones DDDlady posted, but longer. I hope they are not too long. They are what my mom calls walking shorts?

Hahaha, this is so true! I think that they are ugly as sin, but everyone else seems to love them. I think that they make people look like they have mummy feet all wrapped up in bandages! But they are for a good cause, I guess, since the company donates shoes to people who really need them. Although I think even poor people should get cute shoes. Now I have a cute philanthropy event idea in my head!

To the OP- Definitely go for the longer ones, better safe than sorry! As long as they are a good few inches above the knee you won't look like a granny!

Please do NOT belt your tshirts. I honestly would rather see a girl come in in comfortable clothes, than overdone with a belt over a tshirt. Our gamma chis actually put on skits about overdoing the tshirts during recruitment. PNMs think it helps them standout, when in reality most of the actives this it is quite silly looking. Go in neat and clean and you'll be fine. JCrew/Gap has nicer looking shorts so you don't go in looking sloppy.

You can get away with Toms at Arkansas. Some chapters are caught up in the fancy shmancy girls, but several are not. Arkansas is a little different I feel like from the rest of the SEC schools. During the first two rounds we really stress feeling comfortable, so whatever makes you feel the best wear that. Of course its important to be clean and neat, but it has been in the 100s and you spend a lot of time walking/waiting outside, so everyone is gross by the end of the day (including the actives inside). You will see girls in a broad spectrum of different choices, from wedges to Chacos. I honestly love the girls who come in natural and low maintenance. Please do NOT belt your tshirts. I honestly would rather see a girl come in in comfortable clothes, than overdone with a belt over a tshirt. Our gamma chis actually put on skits about overdoing the tshirts during recruitment. PNMs think it helps them standout, when in reality most of the actives this it is quite silly looking. Go in neat and clean and you'll be fine. JCrew/Gap has nicer looking shorts so you don't go in looking sloppy.

I'm with hooty on this one. If the shirt works for you to tuck in and belt I'm all for that, but the big belt over an untucked t-shirt I think looks goofy and looks like you're trying too hard. Just my opinion. I think the idea is to take the pressure OFF your wardrobe, not make it worse. Clean, put together, composed, these are how you want to come off, not bedazzled. If the earrings are something you'd never otherwise wear with shorts and a t-shirt, now isn't the time to start. Same thing with any of the accessories. Yes, accessorize, no, don't accessorize for a cocktail dress when that's not what you're wearing. This isn't a "who can make a t-shirt look the fanciest" contest.

Are the t shirts a regular cut or French cut? Because if they're French cut you need to do shorts that will give you a sleeker line.

The thing about toms, is that some people will like that you wear shoes that 'care for a cause', others will be disgusted with how ugly they are, because face it: you can donate the money you saved on not buying fug shoes and do jut as much (actually way more) good, and some people may think you haven't taken the time to think for yourself about the outcome of your toms purchase and that you are instead 'drinking the koolaid'.

There is a toms counter movement, called a day without dignity that makes several very valid points about how Toms are hurting not just the economies of the impoverished countries on the receiving end of the fee shoes, but also the culture where people forgo buying shoes for their children because they know the 'white people' have brought free shoes to their village before. Toms is in the for profit business (nothing wrong with that) but their sales are based entirely off of a marketing ploy that leads us to feel good about our purchase as if we are making a donation to a non profit.

Sorry I know that was a big lane swerve, but I just keep thinking about how one of the chapters on my campus wore toms for philanthropy night last year and how much it turned me off. I'm not sure if a PNM wearing toms would turn me off, but it certainly wouldn't lead me to think 'oh i must have this girl, she cares about africa' Just my .02


(and yes I finally got a user name just to post about the toms shoes)

Totally agree. Also, what about the shoemakers and salesmen in Africa (or other poor regions) who are put out of business by these charitable orgs that give away free shoes? Same for charities giving away old t-shirts, etc in third world countries.

Y'all bring up such excellent points, and now my hatred feels so much more justified and less shallow! It would be great if more groups that helped people help themselves and their own communities, and if those groups would get more publicity. There are a lot of great groups out there though!

Wearing TOMS for Recruitment? VOM.COM!!!!

An ENTIRE CHAPTER wore them for recruitment! I died when I saw pictures. I was so worried my chapter was going to catch onto the fad and do it too. I would have raised hell, and bought a different brand of espadrilles. =]
That said, we're wearing dark skinny jeans with white wedges and its taking every effort in me not to raise hell about that!

Back on topic:
As for the Panhel shirt. I would treat it as you would treat your future letters. There will undoubtably be days where you will be expected to wear matching shirts with your future sisters and I'm betting most people wouldn't want to see you belting or otherwise changing up your chapter's shirt. keep the same mind set with the panhel shirt. of course its hard to coordinate things without knowing the design of the shirt so maybe keep a few options? its sort of the same dilemma as dressing up for bidday when you don't know what the shirt looks like.

Just keep telling yourself "I really love our 80s theme!" (even if it's not). LOL

Wow, I didn't realize Toms were going to set off such emotion! They will be hidden away until after recruitment, I promise.

Thanks, Hooty Hoo for the local color on the Toms issue. Here in Colorado we went through Crocs and Uggs on a grand scale, both of which I strongly hate, so I totally get the people who hate Toms. This is such a fun website because everyone is soooo passionate!

I would never wear a belt over a t-shirt, so no worries there. I'm cracking myself up picturing some girl whipping out a bedazzler and adding rhinestones to her t-shirt for the dressiest t-shirt contest.

I'm not doing crazy earrings either. No dangles for me, just studs. I wear pearl earrings almost every day anyway, so I probably will since it's truly me. I'm hoping to find a home where I fit in just like I am. I'm not big on pretending to be someone else. I figure if I rush that way, I'd have to keep pretending for four years (if I got in) and that would be lame.

wasn't there a thread about sorority rush violations where all the sororities were issued the same panhellenic t-shirt to wear and sorority A dramatically changed the appearance of their shirts by cutting off the sleeves and maybe using one of those scrunchies to cinch it up on one side that were popular in the 80's? razorbackrush and her bedazzler made me think of that-lol!

LOVE THIS. Your attitude will take you so far in Arkansas recruitment if you continue to think this way throughout the process. :)