clothes for rush
 

Rush is coming up so soon.. I know this probably seems silly, but I am really worried about what to wear.... I want to make the right impression... I looked on the website and it gives basic suggestions, such as short sleeved shirt, shorts, etc... But this is Florida in the middle of August.. Is it ok to wear a tank top? Is there anyhing that is a definite NO as far as what to wear? Is it ok to wear open toed shoes (dress shoes) on pref night? ( I remember reading somewhere that this was a "no", but I am not sure).

Here are a couple helpful threads. :) Good luck and have fun!

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...threadid=17384
http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...&threadid=2355
http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...&threadid=2302

You should just aim to look classy. Dress comfortably but still dress to impress.

Tank top: Only if it's a really nice one paired with dressier bottoms, not the kind of tank top you would throw on for the beach.

Anything that is a definite no: You know how you go out with your girlfriends sometimes and you see girls wearing these ludicrous outfits that are soooo skimpy and all you can do is turn to your friends and say, "What was she thinking?!" Yeah, just use your better judgement. Nothing that would embarass your mother. :)

Open-toed shoes: As long as they're dressy. Bring flip-flops to wear between parties so you don't have to limp into each house. (But don't forget to put the good albeit painful shoes back on before the party!)

You don't have to necessarily dress like a schoolmarm, though, to look like a lady. You can still be trendy and cute without showing a lot of skin or wearing too-small clothes.

Our recruitment chair drilled into us that "We're trying to impress ladies, not boys."

Other than that, remember that a genuine smile and a sparkling personality make every outfit perfect!

Please start a thread when you start recruitment. We're all so excited about this!

Love, Dyan

ps: Where are you rushing?

A nice tank top is appropriate. Make sure your bra straps are not showing! If you are wearing spaghetti straps, wear a strapless bra.
Open-toe shoes are fine during prefs as long as they are classy, nice, and match with the dress you are wearing.
Another thing to wear....deoderant. I'm sure everyone is thinking, "Well, that's a given....." but you'd be surprised. Bring extra deoderant and body spray with you. It gets hot out there and you'll want to have some extra with you just so that you can be more self-assured. ;)

So, on the first few days of rush, where it seems dress is the most casual, would it be okay to wear a tank top and a pair of jean shorts or something... I am just really trying to think of things to wear that are cool, because Florida is SOOO hot in August

I was hoping that someone with more recent experience with rush would respond to this, but since nobody has, I just want to say that I would think that jean shorts are too casual for rush, especially in the south. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong!

khaki would be a better choice

Hey, what about us alums? What should we show up in to help out (esp. if the rushees will see us)? Obviously, we aren't going to match the sisters, and we should wear badge attire ... but should we wear suits, dresses, do you care? If the girls are wearing black for pref, should I wear a black suit?

I agree with valkyrie... For the first day of Rush in the South, "casual" attire is usually a khaki skirt or capri pants... I would say no to anything denim unless it's a very nice denim dress or skirt.

Like AggieDZ said, if you're going to wear shorts, then khaki will be a much better choice than denim. Black will also work. But I really would suggest doing something other than shorts if you can.

The goal is to be dressed as well as the sorority women -- and they usually wear casual skirts, sundresses, or capris during the first day of Rush. (The only time they would usually wear shorts is if it happens to be part of their party theme.)

Good luck!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Ashley,

I agree that Florida is very hot in August but remember you will only be outside long enough to walk from house to house. Otherwise you will be in the AC.

I do not recommend tank tops, but I do think there are some very cute shirts with cap sleeves (think 1/2 way between sleeveless and short sleeve just covering the shoulder). I recommend going with a "business casual" approach, this should keep you from wearing anything too casual. If you must wear shorts - I also do not recommend jean shorts, as others have said, khaki shorts are a much better solution, and are probably cooler as not as restrictive.

Dressy open toed shoes are fine for pref as long as they are appropriate for the dress you are wearing.

If the girls are wearing black for pref, I would suggest wearing a non-black dress. You definitely want to stand apart from the sisters, if for no other reason than to prevent a rushee from confusing you for a sister and speaking to you (could be the beginning of a rush infraction for your chapter). My suggestion would be to wear a nice "church" style dress with your badge. :)

As for the other days of Rush, any nice badge attire will suffice.

Ashley,
I would stick to maybe a casual sundress (not something your throw on at the beach) or a skirt (i think maybe a jean skirt would be ok with a cute top, but not jean shorts) or khakis. Capri pants are always cute too, but if its hot, i would stick to something light. As for it being "casual"...i would dress up just a little bit so you stand out more, but don't wear a cocktail dress or some type of backless shirt or something! Those are always huge turnoffs.
-Maggie

Usually before actual recruitment starts (when you are put in your recruitment groups) the "formerly known as rho chis" will answer any questions and give you a solid idea on what is appropriate to wear. It does vary school to school and different locations mean different dress in some situations. Do not worry too much. Someone will tell you before your first day of parties what is acceptable for each round.

Oh and for a DEFINITE NO, a few years ago we had a girl show up in leopard print daisy duke shorts matching shoes and a black tube top. That is a no nomatter where you are!

Ashley, you've gotten some great advice. A sundress or nice top and skirt or capris would be good for earlier rounds. The only thing I would add is that I suggest you NOT get a black dress for pref if most sororities wear black... you may be mistaken for a sister.

If you're an alum, check with the rush chair - she may want the alums to dress to match. Even if the rush chair wants you to dress differently, it's not a bad idea to keep matching clothes on hand. I went back to help my chapter with rush one year, and the rush chair specifically asked me to wear letters and jeans to the first round party to distinguish me as an alum - actives wore white shirts and jeans. I showed up in letters and the president accosted me (within earshot of PNM's!) with "Where's your white shirt?" Needless to say, that was the last time I went back for rush...!

Yes, last year almost all the rushees wore black for Prefs. It make you stand out if you wear another color. (but some sororities wear white.)

Our alums are asked to wear black suits or dressy dresses to pref as well, along with our badge and very simple jewelry if any. We ask them to wear the skirt/dress length below the knee (like the collegians) with appropriate hosiery and shoes. I remember falling over once during pref because an alum showed up with a spandex mini-mini skirt on, NO hose (seriously white legs) and big chunky sandals -- her toenails weren't even painted nicely. They had been purple, but were all chipped and yucky looking. I voted to kick her out of the party right then and there.

Being an alum (as well as alum president, and now chapter co-advisor) I take a certain pride in how I dress - especially around the collegians. I want them to see that I take their events seriously, and that I respect what they have asked of us to wear. We don't go anywhere near the PNM's so there is no chance for talking with them.

So ask your chapter or the chapter that you are attending the pref ceremony for. They should be the ones to make that decision since they know what "look" they feel will best represent their chapter.

As for the other post about tank tops - ugh!! I am sorry, but I think its too casual for the middle of the desert. Recruitment is a mutual interview process, and while you don't want to show up in a formal gown each night, you want to look your best for each round. There are a lot of cute choices out there now (especially with khaki's big return and the return of skirts to the front scene) and that should be more appropriate attire than a tank and jean shorts. I would also like to stress to the collegians that flip flops SHOULD NOT be considered appropriate dress for certain events (ie, pref, formal meetings, etc.) -- it just doesn't make a good impression.

AXO Alum - I'm hearin' ya on the flip flops. It's pretty casual here in the Northwest, but after a recent (dressy) event at a house where a lot of sisters were wearing flip flops, the alums (including those in their 20s, not just the "old ladies") were HORRIFIED! "Back in my day, we had to wear hose," "What were they thinking?" etc. My chapter was more casual - the other alums were surprised to hear that we wore our Quills with khakis - but still, you don't want to frighten the alums and/or parents!

And it's true - dress for the a/c blasting in the house, not the hot sun outside.

I am SO with y'all on the flip flop issue! I think that they're cute with casual things, but as ritual alumnae advisor to a collegiate chapter, I've been shocked more than once by girls trying to wear flip flops into ceremonies. :eek: :eek: :eek:

I know that styles have changed in the years since I've been out of school (although it really wasn't THAT long ago.) ;) But some things just aren't done! I finally put my foot down and stated that closed toe shoes must be worn at all ceremonies, but I know that I'll have to make that announcement just before every formal event from now on. There are always a few girls who forget.

Please, any DZ's who are reading this, do me a favor and wear hose and dress shoes to any formal meetings/rituals that you attend, just on the off chance that I might be visiting. Otherwise, I'm going to die of a heart attack at a very early age. :D

Ok I am in AZ and during recruitment it can be around 100+ degrees and humid as all Heck. I would recomend to all PMNs to keep a small body spray in her purse. Nothing to over powering, just a nice light smell. I mean chances are you will sweat while walking from house to house, and i doubt you want anyone to smell it. But remember dont bathe in it, just a small amount. Just a thought:D

Okay, this is what makes PNMs and their moms crazy. I have here two rush brochures that the twins' college has sent.

On the first day of rush, one brochure suggests that the girls wear shorts, tee-shirts, and tennis shoes and the other says nice shorts and sandals, no mention of what kind of shirts. The picture, however, shows the rush counselors in nice shirts, not tees.

On the second day, one brochure says "Dressy Casual"--sundress or pantsuit. The other brochure says "khaki or other casual pants, button-down shirts, and sandals". As you might have guessed, the girls in the pictures are wearing not what's suggested but instead, nice dark pants and shirts that are not button-down.

Agggh! No one wants to be underdressed or overdressed! So the girls have chosen to wear sundresses for the second day and have appropriate dresses for the last 2 days but it's the first day that's bugging us. One alum has suggested that they wear some kind of memorable shirt with nice khaki shorts.


Okay! That's the plan! But....can some kindhearted person suggest a shirt that would be memorable?

Again, it just depends on the school. We wore nice capris or shorts the first day. Skirts or pants (or capris) the second. Third was skirts mostly. Pref was a cocktail dress.

On the other side, first day is always capris and t-shirts. Second is skirts and baby t's. Third depends on the skit, but most likely skirts and more t's. And pref is the all black cocktail dress.

Good luck. I remember how hard picking out clothes was. It gets easier on the other side when you are just given a list and have no choice.

again with my opinion
 

Ya'll get my opinion frequently when it comes to Rush, but that's just because it's my favorite time of the "sorority year".

Anyway, I feel like tanktops are appropriate for Florida. HOWEVER, I would go for more of a tank top than spaghetti strap top, just because they tend to look a little dressier with not as much skin showing but if you find a killer spaghetti strap one you just HAVE to wear, then go for it.

Now, as far as the shorts issue. If you're going for a more polished look for the top, then go for something a little dressier on the bottom, maybe a khaki or dark denim skirt or my personal fav. capris.

I think the biggest problem with UF rush (as far as clothes go) is that panhellenic wants no frills and very casual Rush, but all of us older girls and the majority of members (not just my chapter) are always astonished at what some people consider "casual". I would recommend that even if your "Pi Chi" (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think is the newest term for Rho Chi) tells you wear something, kick it up just one notch so that you're along the same lines as the sorority members. Remember, we're trying to come across as well put together, so we feel overdressed if you're in gym clothes. Which did happen last year, girl was in cheerleading shorts and a t-shirt, sneakers and hair in a sloppy bun. Don't go that route. And further, you're gonna be sitting outside in a tent for much longer than you're in the actual house, for round 1 in house time is around 10-12 minutes, the rest of the day you're walking and sitting outside, so dress for the outdoor weather, not the AC.

Ok, that turned out lengthy. :) Hope it was helpful.

Tara
I have a Phi Mu castle...

I have tp agree with you here. I go to school in northern arizona. It isnt as hot here, but because all the sororities are in one res. hall, the building is big and heat rises. There is no reason for air conditioning since the rest of the year is generally snow filled. So the hall gets really hot. The point here was to suggest that in general bring body spray. Even if you dont think it will be that hot, there is a good chance it will be anyways.

Re: again with my opinion
 

We just changed from Rho Chi to Gamma Chi (Greek Counselors).

Carnation, the booklet LSU supplied the girls with was way off from what was actually worn. Consider the location though and you KNOW when someone says casual, the range can be an outfit from Target to Bebe. The more competative it seems the dressier in terms of casual versus casual sheik. Also, in the middle
of rush the Rho Chis told the girls to wear something totally NOT in the brochure. The ones that went with what the Rho Chis said were so underdressed in comparison to the girls who stuck with their original plans.

Those pictures may have been taken before the actual clothing description was laid down. Looking back, I think the LSU brochure was showing different body types how to dress distinctively more than WHAT to wear.

Do you know ANYONE who went through last year? That would be the best source. Other than that, have you thought about a more tailored looking top than a cotton T or to play it safe, possibly a T with a different style neckline that would allow for a darling necklace? If you have to err either way, it's better to go up than down. I like tailored the best. Here's a little tip. We had some different jewelry to choose from. When she saw what was the level of dressiness, she could downplay it or scale up by merely changing her jewelry.

Recruitment has changed somewhat since when I went through. We were a bit dressier.

I think the first day I wore a nice sundress from Lilly Pulitzer. The second day I wore a sundress from Ann Taylor. The third day I wore a pink dress suit from Talbot's. Pref I wore a simple but elegant black coctailish dress. Bid day I wore plaid shorts and a whit tailored buttoned down shirt. My sandals were elegant with my toes polished. The third day and pref I wore hose and heels. My nails were painted, make-up and hair done (not too much), light spritz (perfume is too much in Mississippi in August/and 600 different smells can be too much). I do not remember, but I probably just wore pearls or my diamond earrings/necklace. I am very conservative when it comes to jewelry.

Things have changed a lot though. I understand that the first day is more causal, the second day is uniformed (all PNMs wear rush t-shirts with shorts) for Philanthropy day. The third and fourth days are about the same as the good ‘ole days.

I would never wear jeans or Jean-shorts, spaghetti strap shirt or flip-flops (but that is me and each school is different). As for t-shirts and tank tops there is a difference in a one bought from Old Navy (shop there often, don't get me wrong) and Talbots/Ann Taylor/Lilly Pulitzer. There is also the same difference in sandals.

I think capri pants are better than shorts. And you can never go wrong with a tailored, short sleeve buttoned down shirt. (Talbots is having their semi-annual sale now). I would rather be overdressed than underdressed for any occasion. Most of the time the rush booklets are prepared in the early Spring (fashion changes before the fall) and most school Panhellenic Councils are trying to dress down rush, so they show you what they want Rush to be like (a bit more casual). In reality, the PNMs are putting their best foot forward and dress-up.

Rush is similar to a job interview, you are interviewing the sororities to see where you best fit and they are interviewing you to see if you are a best fit for them. You would not show-up at a job interview unprepared and wearing jeans/t-shirt.

Again, each school is different and so am I.

I also have strong opinions about recs, but I will type that later in the appropriate thread.

Wow! I am glad I asked about the jean shorts thing- i definately wont be wearing them. I actually just got my recruitment brochure in the mail yesterday and it had pictures of what to wear each day. I figure that I will just go with the dressiest option for each day. The only day that there is not a picture for is the very first day. I am assuming that I should just wear sonething very casual... it is only two hours long and i think it is just a "get to know your group" type of event.
I think I have a dress for pref night.. It is white with pink and rose colored flowers on it. It has spaghetti straps and is kinda long (it falls just below my knees). The back of the dress is actually a little longer than the front. Any opinions on this? I also have a black dress I could wear but I wanted to be kinda different.

I think you may get some different responses to the straps. I just don't know what to say. It sounds like your rush is a little more relaxed than what my daughter went through. All the "Moms" said NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS. There were several dresses with them however-have no idea if there was any opinion by the different houses on this. I think your dress sounds lovely. My opinion doesn't count for much however. (One Mom said no open toe shoes...ever-that was really dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's"-only went with this for Pref) I would think that by the time you wear it, the decision will basically be made and as long as it flatters YOU and has an elegant air, it should be great! If YOU like it and YOU feel confident add 50 bonus points!!!

If it's a dress with spaghettis straps, I don't think thats aproblem. And I would def. wear the white with roses...lots of sisters and PNM's will be wearing black anyway, it's better to stand out just a little bit.

Clothes for Rush
 

Ashley99,

How you appear is important to first impressions, and that's usually all you have time for. Don't wear clothes that are too tight, that show underwear lines, bra straps, or tan lines. Depending on the region where you're rushing, the local trends may take over when it comes to accessories. Find out what the women in the sororities are wearing. Minimal jewelry, or a certain kind of accessory (turquoise) may be the "in-thing" where you're going to rush. The last thing you want is to show up in some out-of-style outfit, and be labeled as a dork for it.

I would strongly suggest that you not wear jean shorts. Not only can they be really uncomfortable as the day goes on, but there are so many others options to keep cool. Khaki cotton shorts are a nice choicy and comfy. Capris, as many others have suggested, are a superb idea. Not only are they comfortable for the weather, but they'll give you a more 'put together' look. Khaki shorts can sometime be too casual. While the first day you should be comfortable, this is your first impression to every chapter!

One thing you should look into: Does your school provide tee-shirts to the potential new members & actives? At the University of Texas everyone has an Open House tee-shirt. The actives have their respective sorority screenprinted on the shirt to distinguish themselves from other chapters & the pnm's. They started doing this when I was in college which didn't go over so well then, but I believe in the long run it has really helped b/c everyone starts out the same 'level' playing field. It also solves the problem of "What do I wear the first day of Rush?"

As for Pref, cocktail attire is what is usually suggested. Again, check with the Panhellenic office/Rho Chi's at your school. Black is always a safe bet and no one in the chapter is going to mistake you for a sister when you're not. I was a member of a very large chapter at the University of Texas and knew who everyone was. There was absolutely no way I would confuse a potential new member as member of my chapter based on their clothing! If you don't want to wear black, I suggest wearing something you would wear to a wedding. 'Church attire' would be more appropriate earlier in the recruitment process.

Open-toe vs. Closed-toe Shoes: Yes you can wear open toe, but DO NOT wear panty hose with open toe. You can visit any high-end store or look online for SPANX. These are footless pantyhose. While I'm sure to get a lot of grief on this, I would highly recommend wearing nude hose as opposed to black. First of all, as far as fashion goes, nude is the right choice. Second of all, it's summer. Black hose in the winter is a different story!

Hope this helps and you have a successful rush!

best,
Sara

www.AllGreek2Me.com
Sorority Shopping Made Simple.

accessorize
 

Hi and good luck! I think its important to remember the details and accessorize. Try to wear jewelry that matches what you are wearing and paint your nails! It sounds a little silly and I don't think any house would cut you b/c you didn't have painted toenails, but its a little detail they will notice. It just makes you look pulled together and clean. Jewelry and accessories are so important - it can start conversations during quiet moments if its distinctive and it will make you look so pulled together. You can be wearing the best clothes ever from the most expensive store and you can still look average. Accessories can make you memorable.

I go to Arizona State University and here we give the all the potential new members a book that talks about each chapter but, it also will discuss what is to be worn each day. Here the fist day is casual. You can get away with shorts. The second day is dressier. Probably a Skirt, but still day time casual, then it progresses till the 5th and last day where you need to wear a semi formal dress probably a mid thigh to a calf length.