Question for Members-Appropriate Attire
 

Hi everyone! :-) I'm new to the board, but I did do a search for my topic, yet found no direct answers. Therefore, I have a question for you all concerning attire for an Interest Meeting. This is the initial meeting for all of the orgs. under the umbrella of the NPHC on our campus. (not Rush or anything along those lines) Should I feel compelled to "dress up" or would jeans and a t-shirt suffice? I simply have basic colors, nothing flashy, etc. etc. Also, would it be problematic to wear pearls? The reason I ask is because I am a regular "pearler" for the simple reason that I find them to be a classic essential piece for me-just subtle and elegant, you know? (life's lessons from my mom who happens to be a Delta) :-) Anyhow, I'm open to all comments/suggestions and I am one who will actually heed your advice. Thanks in advance. I can certainly appreciate the vibe of this forum.

Re: Question for Members-Appropriate Attire
 

I wouldn't wear pearls. At all.

I would, if I were you and had a mother who is a Delta, ask my mother.

Don't dress hooch. Dress like you have solid upbringing. Wear neutral colors.

Crimsontide4-Thanks for your input. Trust me, I'd never dress "hooch." lol (that's so not my style) But I wish that you could preach that sermon to others! Oh, and my mother loves to see me "under pressure" here with this whole thing. Supportive? Definitely. But she has made it her mission to make me work for all of this--everything--and I can respect that. (even to the point of "you should know how to be on point by now when it comes to attire) ;-)

Anyhow, I have dark slacks (very "flowy") and a cardigan which is some unknown shade of blue/grey/green. (definitely not navy, not dark at all in fact, but would that be "neutral" enough?) Yeah, lol, I know the true meaning of neutral, but I couldn't find anything else that was conservative enough yet had some (any) style to it. I'll definitely ditch the pearls, 'cause the thought of them did make me slightly uneasy, but I simply needed a "yeah, you're right-toss 'em."

(I'm off to some mall in search of a "safe(r)" color...thanks again!)

I take it this interest meeting is not organization specific? In other words you would be there among a group of men and women listening to each org talk about itself?

ladygreek, yes, you're exactly correct. It's simply a meeting of all the groups (both men and women) and we'll be intermingling, I suppose.

Good topic. There is an information meeting coming up at my school and thankfully I got some advice on proper dress. Although from past experience some people show up in some very interesting NON APPROPIATE outfits.:eek:

I would say wear something that is business casual that does not contain any org's colors as the primary focus. For example, I would not wear black slacks and a red shirt. I would agree to leave the pearls at home since that could be construed as interest in a specific org. Navy, I think, would be neutral enough. You obviously won't show up in something pink and green or blue and white, though. :p But I've seen interest meetings where women have shown up in that org's colors or worse, in another org's colors.:eek:

But whatever you wear, make sure its ironed and not stained, and be sure to mingle with everyone.

Let us know how it went!!! Good luck!

Neutrals, such as black, gray, navy, brown, beige would work fine for this. I'd keep the jewelry simple, the makeup fairly natural (meaning no contrast between the lip liner and lip) and the nails short and manicured. In other words, treat this like a business occasion of sorts.

That was a great question. If I could suggest one more thing, it would be to make sure you wear comfortable shoes. If you are going to be mingling with everyone, you might as well do it in shoes that won't make your feet hurt. :) I went to an interest meeting where the interested ladies were all walking around in heels. You could see the pain in their faces.

Thanks ladies for your incredibly helpful comments/suggestions! I don't know why I have butterflies, since I'm rarely (ever) nervous about anything. I'll definitely let you all know how it goes. :-)

Yeah good luck to you. Im nervous too but the advice that was given was very helpful. Thank you ladies!!!

On the subject
 

While we're on the subject of NPHC interest meetings. I attended the NPHC informational during the fall of last year, and had a chance to mingle with the members of the organization that I am interested in. Since then I have attended almost all of that organizations events and community service oppurtunities. NPHC is hosting another informational in about a weeks time. My question is would the organization want to see me at the informational again, or should I just continue to attend events and community service oppurtunties. The organization has an event planned before the NPHC informational, that I was invited to by one of the members, so they know of my interest.

Any advice or comments from a BGLO member is appreciated.

Re: On the subject
 

Attend if you want, it's really up to you. You never know, there may be additional or new information you may walk away with.

Dress for Success. As cliche as that is, its true. You never know who's "peeping" you out as well...

The way I see it, you should keep it modest and definitely neutral. Soak up the vibe of the event, and make sure you are known(mingle) and remembered(positively). Its tres difficult to pull oneself out of the negative category, trust me I've seen some bad choices. Good luck and most of all, enjoy the event.

Thank You
 

Thank you both, treblk and Krisco, for your advice. I will attend the upcoming event and make the best of the oppurtunity to mingle with the members of the organization. :)

Along with what all of my lovely sorors said, treat this as a business interview. Meaning your conversations and interractions should be a little more formal then if you were at a school social function.

From past informational meetings, I've had prospect come in jeans and tennis shoes or flip flops. Some asked questions that had nothing to do with what was going on. Just some insight and information. Good luck to all of you!!;)

Re: On the subject
 

This is kinda tricky.

>>>I would go and mingle, making sure to meet all the sorors of the org of my interest if I haven't met them already. If you've been going to their events for a year then I'm hoping you know all of the chapter members already or know all their names. Use this time to talk to them a little more like finding out their majors and classes for the semester. Ask them questions not related to the sorority you may find that you have a lot in common which is always a plus.

>>>I wouldn't go because it's always important to be discrete it's very very likely that if you've been going to their events for a year they've noticed and getting a personal invite to an event is a good sign. I never wanted anyone but sorors to know that I was interested and people are always noticing who is talking to who. Oh she's an interest for this org and stuff like that. So talking to them a lot at this informational is a clear sign. It's also likely that there won't be any information that was not given last year. To be sure I would ask them if I should come like "is the informational going to be similar to last years will you be giving new information? I would like to come but I also have a some work to do" which isn't a lie we always have work to do.

I figure you dont want them to think you are interested in another org which I doubt the will. Good luck!

Adding my two cents...

One Fall I attended one of these NPHC informational meetings. I was overdressed. I wore nice slacks and a blouse. Everyone else had on street clothes. I couldn't believe it. I would have thought that they would have wanted to dress casual among anything else.

The same thing with the Delta informational. Women were dressed in jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts. Some were dressed casual. I guess it didn't matter b/c the members were in jeans as well.


And I am out.......

Hmm I guess it just depends on. We have had programs where we talk about different issues and people sometimes mistake them as informational sessions. Occasionally during some of those programs we would sometimes dress casual so maybe that was a mix up??

We once had a "Meet the Deltas" cookout and some people came dressed up. And the rest of us were dressed in jeans and Delta Shirts. In my mind I was thinking its a cookout so dress like you are coming to a cookout.:rolleyes:

I'm not saying that these were any of your cases, but there can sometimes be mix ups.

Anyway I guess I would rather be overdressed than underdressed but thats just my opinion:confused: