Why do some girls wear letters to parties?!
 

Going through some of my friends' pictures from other colleges, particularly Southern schools like Vanderbilt and SMU, I noticed that girls there where pins with their house name attached to their party clothes and they wear this while drinking, out partying, etc.

That is the number one rule of what NOT to do at my school. That's cause for release! So why are girls allowed to (or at least, they promote doing it) at some colleges?

My chapter didn't have much in the way of a policy against it (except to not do it in your official chapter jersey), but it's definitely not encouraged as we all just knew when it's okay (ie. casual setting, restaurant (not bar), not going to drink excessively, member is 21) and when it's DEFINITELY not okay (party, chugging, shots, under 21,etc.).

I have worn letters to "getties" (get togethers, not parties), but only when I knew I was not going to be drinking. (I'm not one for the bottle anyways). Also, it's very common for boys to do it here, but not so often with women.

However, some schools may have a totally different culture. And I suppose why it's not as big of a deal at those schools. Maybe chapters want to be easily identified so the chapter can have that "good-time girl" rep (as in "Those girls really know how to let loose and have a good time!"). If that is your campus culture, I could see why you would follow along with that. People aren't going to look down their nose at you because it's acceptable and they expect it.

Also, sometimes girls from sororities get more favorable treatment at fraternity parties than girls who are GDIs - I know that our favorite fraternity used to have a policy of if you were wearing sorority letters you didn't have to be on the guest list.

When you say pins - do you mean the ones that say "I <3 XYZ" or their actual sorority badges?