Seeking opinions on lettered alumna gift...
 

I was wondering if you would chime in on some thoughts for a gift. A dear friend has been out of her sorority many years and was reminiscing about the good times. She kept talking about her hoodies. I wanted to surprise her with a sweatshirt or zipped sweatshirt to wear when she is in the casual mode.

I was thinking the hoodie may not be the way to go unless I do like 2" (maybe 3") letters. I don't want to scream collegiate. What do you all think?

Another option was to buy her a zipped hoodie and possibly place the letters on the left side of the chest. Any thoughts?

I am really open, but I would like to hear what everyone thinks on something like this.

If you have any ideas I welcome them all.

Also, I haven't shopped for this in quite some time, so if you have a strong recommendation of where to purchase I would appreciate your direction. I would like it to be nice quality with satin stitched letters.

I like the zipped hoodie or zipped fleece with the letters to the left side of the chest, and I know you want satin stiched letters but I would look into embroidered letters, as well, especially if you go that route. Block letters, no matter the size, scream "collegian" to me.

agzg, I appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts.^^

I was leaning towards a zipped hoodie as it would be great for her to wear to sporting events. She is always outside at some field for her children.

I didn't really think embroidery as first choice, but maybe I should consider it.

Well you could also have a crest or another sorority symbol embroidered on it if you went that route, as well.

Although I don't see many women walking around wearing sorority crests, so I guess it would depend.

It's a really nice idea, to be honest, and shows that you're very thoughtful.

perhaps instead of a hoodie, a polo or a button down with embroidered letters (or a crest)? im looking for a photo but you can google for examples.

I like the idea of a nice fleece zip-up with embroidered letters. I would imagine embroidered would be more translatable to, say, watching your child's soccer game.

If you want to do satin stitched letters I've seen some nice track jackets with the letters sewn vertically down the chest - a little less undergrad in my opinion. I do, however, think vertical letters look better with three letters so you might want to think about that, two letters just don't really fill the space.

Her organization has three letters if that matters.

I was just thinking something casual and comfy. I do see some women after college wearing their letters, but it is not a common occurrence. I just don't want her to look like a walking billboard.

I remember we had that topic on the boards about wearing letters after graduation. It had mixed reviews/opinions. I just think if it is done tastefully, why not?

If you did embroidery, would you do just the three letters or would you also place alumna below them?

I sometimes wear satin stitched letters, even though I am well out of college. If I do, it's usually at outdoor events like fairs or to alumnae events. I think that if she talks about the stitched letter sweatshirts/hoodies more than a few times, then that might be the route to go.

But I do like the idea of a polo or hoodie with embroidered letters. Or, you can do a canvas tote bag. I think most women (moms or not) could use a bag for those soccer games or whatever.

Lastly, I often get coupons for Greekgear. I have several items from them; they are good quality, affordable and fast. I'll keep an eye out - they usually send me one once a week.

ETA: I found a bunch of coupon codes online: http://www.dealtaker.com/GreekGear-c...de-a959-c.html

Granted I'm undergrad, but I saw a cardigan the other day in the Union. The woman had a soft cardigan with the Chi Omega crest with letters above it over her heart. No fancy font, just simple letters. I thought it was gorgeous.

Don't confuse satin stitch (which is a type of stitch done around the edge as opposed to the more common zig zag stitch) with what you probably really mean- tackle twill aka applique (which refers to the actual heavy-duty fabric letters that come in 2, 3, 4,5, and 6 inches and usually go across the chest (and the newer vertical styles) on t-shirts and jackets.

I am an alumna and while I look very young for my age, I still buy and wear tackle twill/applique letters in the traditional 4 inch style. I do not like embroidery (unless on a polo or button down shirt) or anything smaller than 4 inches. It's harder to see, which defeats the point. I'm proud of my letters and I want everyone to see them!

My advice: have her describe her sweat shirts to you (or be sneaky and ask to see pictures) then order one that is similar to the one she is most fond of. Let HE decide where and when she would like to wear it at her discretion.

My rec. for sweatshirts? www.greekgear.com, greeknation.com, www.stitchzone.com, or www.somethinggreek.com I have ordered from all four (I have 5 littles) and they do solid work and I had my items within about 3 weeks.

One of our sisters' dads got us these really cool sweatshirts - they had 3 buttons at the top (kind of like a henley) and our letters embroidered above the chest on the left side. They were extremely classy and I wish I had one now - they seem entirely appropriate for older alums to wear as well. I would get her something like this, rather than the giant block letters across the chest. That should help her avoid the "walking billboard" effect.

I would put "alumna" below the letters. You don't want her to worry about strange looks or anything.

So many women in my old Alumnae Association mentioned how nice it would be to have a long-sleeved polo with our letters and "alumna" done fairly small on one side.

Embroidered letters would definitely look a lot better than block letters.

I think it's a great gift.

Several groups also have their own website to purchase from. You may find more options there than just the typical large letter sweatshirts, like this page from Kappa's site. In college I bought myself the upper right one, which has the name spelled out. I regret not also purchasing a block letter one, and sometimes consider it now (4+ years out of college). Like some said, you may also find zip up hoodies or fleeces. I really like both the fleece options on the Kappa page too... and something like that could be great for "soccer mom mode".

I've also thought about purchasing something for a friend in another group. She was never very involved as an active and sometimes regrets it, I think, and I was surprised that she never had a letter sweatshirt- or a badge :eek: I go back and forth between whether to get her something. But it sounds like you already know it could be a great gift! I think it's great you're thinking about her in this way and trying to customize it to what she wants.

Slight Hijack, but as an initiated sister of an organization don't you have to get a badge? I know some are more expensive than others depending on how elaborate you get with the gold/jewels (if they are offered), but I thought getting a badge would be mandatory.

Back to the OP, I think a fleece/zip up with the organization in script or letters and alumna underneath would be appropriate and a classy way to show her affiliation. What a lovely thought you have for your friend! Please let us all know what you decide to go with (& pictures, too ;) )

<Continuing Hijack> Nope, it isn't mandated by all groups. It isn't required for Kappa, although of course it is encouraged! My friend is a Pi Phi- she may have used her mother's badge for initiation etc. I'm not sure whether any NPC orgs require purchasing a badge (others can chime in), but for Kappa at least it's very trend-based, chapter by chapter. Some chapters tend not to buy them, some tend to buy one particular type... many in my pledge class purchased sapphire & pearl badges with chapter letter guards, but several before us bought plain gold keys with no guard. Chapters may say that it's required because they don't know better or just because that's how it's always been done in the chapter... kind of like how some women are told they have to list every chapter they pref, regardless of whether they'd accept a bid. Or that we (in my Kappa chapter) were told that you could only wear your key with fancy clothes and it had to be over your heart- yet a Leadership Consultant cleared that one up quickly for us by (purposefully) wearing her badge on a sweatshirt on the right side. So it may be more tradition-based than an actual requirement. </Continuing Hijack>