White Dress Sightings for PNMS
 

I thought it might be helpful to PNMs if we listed places where we have seen white dresses that would be suitable for ritual requirements:

I saw a white dress at Target last week that was too cute. It was all white eyelet-the whole dress was lined, it had a faux wrap bodice and an a-line skirt. It was sleeveless, but interested PNMs could easily find a white short sleeved cardigan to cover their arms if that is a requirement of the sorority they join. The dress was $24.99.

PNMS-as you shop for your white dress, keep in mind that it should be pure white-not eggshell, or ecru, or vanilla, or antique, etc. Any decorative trim should also be pure white. The design should be modest-not too short, too tight, or too low cut.

Here is a plus-size option with short sleeves:
http://www.lanebryant.com/plus-size-...5957/index.pro

H&M had a cute (cheap!) white dress. I can't remember the exact details, but I remember it has spaghetti straps.

Found this cute one at Loft.

I kind of want to buy it for myself :p

I found this at Target. Super cute. http://www.target.com/p/Merona-Women...qi_detailimage

And I just bought this one from White House Black Market for an event I have coming up. http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=1&size=

Not exactly bargain priced, but so gorgeous:

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/categor.../pc/38/167.uts

I received the Nicolette dress as a birthday present and I absolutely love it!

Mango has some great options this season, this is one I really like with Sleeves and embroidery

In love with this one from Zara

ASOS has this cute tulip dress

This one from Urban Outfitters is lovely, I've seen it on someone, and it's a bit longer than it looks on the model.

Gap:

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do...d=138693&vid=1

Emerson Fry:

http://shop.emersonfry.com/white-mod

Madewell:

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_cat...4711/44711.jsp

Modcloth:

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses...t-living-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses...g-beauty-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses...-m-shore-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses...sea-lily-dress

PNMs! Heed this advice and buy a white dress now! They're awfully hard to find once school starts, yes, even in early August!

My daughter needed a white dress to wear under her graduation gown. We ordered a linen dress from Lands' End. It just arrived yesterday and it's really cute, and can do double duty if she receives a bid next year. Everything at Lands' End is 30% off, plus free shipping, through Tuesday. We ordered some sundresses, too. They have some really cute dresses this summer!

Yes! What she said!

^^^ Gamma Phi does allow off-white, cream, ecru, etc., but I'd still play it safe and buy pure white.

Also, avoid any type of print...even teeny-tiny flowers on a white background would be a no-no.

And if you buy a dress that's strapless or has spaghetti straps...or that shows your shoulders at all...be prepared to buy a pure white blazer or cardigan too, just in case. (You need a white cardigan no matter what anyway.)

And "too short" means above the knee for some groups.

This dress from Land's End should work for most groups:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-su...&origin=search

It's knee length, and the shoulders and the back are covered.

This one from Macy's is very similar:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/s...4-_-34-_-MP434

I like this one from Eddie Bauer:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/pr...viewAll=n&pg=1



This dress from Old Navy might work:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=898302002

You might need a shrug or a cardigan if the group's rules say that a NM's dress for pledging has to have sleeves.

This dress for Kohl's is on sale for $27:
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/zbra...chet+Dress.jsp



I love the Lilly dresses but they're sort of short. I'm really tall and have long legs, though. A lot of dresses that are a little short on some people leaves half my thigh exposed.

Belk Department stores has quite a few white dresses:

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ress.jsp?off=7

By Michael Kors:
http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ail.jsp?off=16

This ones on sale:

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ess.jsp?off=34

Another one on sale:

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ess.jsp?off=37

This one makes me think of Lilly P.:

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ess.jsp?off=54

Looks like lace is very fashionable this season:

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Pr...ess.jsp?off=29

While you are out shopping - don't forget white shoes!
Strappy sandals are cute, but get something you can stand in for a while.
For a lot of chapters, even if you don't need a white dress for bid day, you might also need one for initiation. It is really hard to find anything white in October.

Also take note that your feet may swell while standing for a while, so those cute strappy sandals that are a touch tight may not be the best choice...

Thank you for the advice! This is making me more excited to rush this fall.

I saw a couple cute ones at Dillard's the other day, however they were in the junior's department so only shorter/smaller girls could probably get away with them.

http://www.dillards.com/shop/Juniors...rs&storeId=301

^ Not all of those are suitable, remember to avoid prints or anything that isn't pure white! Also juniors is NOT for tall girls (not typically a fan of the jr's section after high school, but I know how difficult it can be to find a white dress)!

Not every group allows sandals. Some require closed toe shoes.

White ballet flats are pretty safe.

Zappos has a whole white dress section right now: http://www.zappos.com/women-white-dresses?zbfid=18865

We've found fantastic white dresses on eBay.

I feel like I always say this but remember thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc) and places like Plato's Closet can sometimes have great stuff too, you might just have to hunt a bit. Luckily white dresses aren't hard to spot.

Also remember that you may need white or nude undergarments (your group may specify white, otherwise I'd go with nude) so make sure to pick up one of each as well. Same goes for a good slip, if your dress isn't lined and any kind of shape wear if it would make your more comfortable. Some groups also require pantyhose but that could be picked up last minute. Make sure everything works together. Nothing worse than being able to see someone's blue leopard underwear under her dress. I wish I wasn't speaking from experience on this...

^^^ What she said. And yes, we can tell that you're wearing a thong under your white dress too, so don't think that is a solution.

A good option for white shoes is Dyeables. They offer several closed-toe flats, low heels, and high heels. When I got married, I wore Dyeables low-heeled shoes from David's Bridal. They were quite comfortable, which was important since I knew I'd be doing a lot of standing, dancing, etc. that day. (You can order them online, but I wouldn't recommend it - you really need to try them on or you could end up with a really uncomfortable pair of shoes, and it's not like you can just kick them off in the middle of ritual :p )

http://www.abercrombie.com/webapp/wc...oductId=961572

The blue belt comes off.

You know what I always thought would have been a brilliant idea? Someone snatching up, or having made, a bunch of simple white dresses to sell at universities as a trunk show either right before bid day or presents. Hell, make it a fundraiser for Panhellenic!

It seems like the problem is even worse at schools that don't require a white dress for bid day (which is closer to summer, at least), but do for Presents, which is pretty firmly in the fall or early winter.

Our chapter kept a closet full of donated white dresses. A lot of people donated their white dresses when they graduated. If a NM was stuck on a dress, we'd find something for her in the closet. She would keep it until she found a white dress of her own.

Since I'm going to convention for the first time this year, and my white dress from college (which I loved) has yellowed a little with age (it's been almost 9 years) and is a little snug, I just ordered a new white dress.

PNMs, if you want to go the online route (not always great since if it doesn't work you have to send it back and you have less time), try eShakti. Often you can customize your dress to what your group requires. Naturally, you'll probably only want to customize for initiation if white dress is required, you won't know what you need for presents unless your university spells it out for you.

I ordered this dress from there:
http://img.eshakti.com/clothImages/CL0021659P.jpg
(Direct link in case you want it: http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL002...k-poplin-dress)

I customized it so that instead of above-the-knee length, it'll be full length. I'll have to wear a white cardigan but I was expecting that with anything since sleeves are apparently sooooooooo 1950s.

They have a bunch of white options right now (summer), and they all look pretty cute. I've been happy with the fit and quality of everything I've ordered from there. You can also customize sizes, so, if you're usually a 4, but you're a 6 in the bust, you can take your measurements. I just fit into a regular size. Customization is usually $7.50 or so. Today it just so happens that they have free customization.

For us older ladies going to convention who haven't had to search for white dresses in 800 years, this was much less stressful!

very pretty!

Daughter is graduating in a week (quarter system)- I used to always be on the lookout for a new cute white dress around this time, along with cute date party/formal dresses- don't need to any more, and it feels really weird.

^^^ I hear you. We went for 5 years without a daughter rushing after having 6 straight recruitments and I would go into certain stores in the mall with an eye out for good recruitment outfits.

I found one yesterday at JCrew that was on sale for $50 (it was originally $150)!!

Hypo got her graduation dress from eshakti. I love that you can customize stuff on there. I think she had different sleeves on one dress than it originally came with. That dress looks great. I have to go with an old convention dress, but it should fit fine. I should probably try it on though. I hear you have the most amazing roomie ever for Convention. ;) 34 days!

I saw some cute white dresses, Bloomingdales' Aqua line, on clearance. About $40...yes, strapless but with lace...really cute.