Rush Attire Help?
 

Hello all!
I will be a freshman at Texas Tech University this fall, and I plan on rushing. I've been trying to get my rush week outfits together so I can focus on getting dorm stuff and whatnot, and I have a question or two.

First, I was wondering if anyone knows if strapless dresses are frowned upon during rush? I've looked on the Texas Tech recruitment information page, and it doesn't specify.

Second, it states on the website "Please keep in mind that you are attending events to meet other young women whose attire will be appropriately conservative." I know this generally means you're dressing to impress other girls, not guys, but how conservative is conservative enough without looking like my mom?

Lastly, for Philanthropy Day, I need a casual sundress, and for the third day it says I need church attire. What would the difference between a casual sundress and church attire be?

Your help is much appreciated! Thanks :]

I have no idea about southern rush dress guidelines, but strapless/church attire things are tricky. Personally, I think people should have their shoulders/thighs covered in Church, but many people do not feel the same way and I see lots of bare shoulders and short dresses/skirts in Church. This probably depends on the region, and I'd call the school and ask to clarify on "church attire"

http://www.jenclothing.com/ where I like to buy modest dresses (I have no affiliation with this site and will take this part down if need be!)

I'm sure someone from Texas Tech will come around eventually to give you some specific information but generally speaking you want to avoid the following:
1. Cleavage
2. Mini skirts/dresses
3. Anything super tight
4. "Clubwear"
5. Anything extremely loud in general

Now I would think the difference between a casual sundress and church attire would be that a casual sundress would be appropriate to wear for anything from hanging out with friends to a casual luncheon (as long as it follows the aforementioned guidelines...so not something you'd throw on over your bathing suit at the beach for instance). Church wear would likely involve more coverage and be more conservative in general.

As for strapless, as long as it doesn't involve cleavage I would be surprised if it were a no-no (at least on the casual sundress day), but a Texas Tech student/alum should be the resource for that answer.

http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegal...6/_6436296.jpg
I would say something like this would be appropriate for the "church attire" category. (Provided recruitment is around the time school starts, though, if you chose something with a similar print as it is spring-summer appropriate.) Basically your thighs are covered, it's not backless, and it isn't strappy or tight. Though as katydid said some people might think those shoulders are too bare, but it's easy to find a dress that is sleeveless but still covers the shoulders or one that has cap sleeves. (I'm assuming rush will be held while it's still hot outside here).
http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegal...9/_6487569.jpg
This would be an example of an appropriate casual sundress...it is not super short, does not show cleavage, and has substantial straps. Steer away from anything that will be very low cut, has itty bitty straps, is very short, or is sheer (it's just too difficult to be positive nothing will show through).
http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegal...8/_6471018.jpg
Though if you are busty I would choose something more similar to this style wise, as you're less likely to end up with accidental cleavage. For a casual sundress it wouldn't necessarily have to be THIS long or this "nice", but different body types require different styles to remain conservative.
http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegal...2/_6442012.jpg
Lastly if strapless is ok, this would be an example of a safe way to do it. Covers the girls, isn't super short or tight.

I might suggest getting on the Chapters websites and looking at pictures from recruitment. That might give you a clue to what the Chapters are wearing. When I think of a sun dress I think of a dress that is made out of cotton and casual in style. When I think of a church dress I think of a dress made out of other more expensive type fabrics (although I wear cotton to church) My thoughts on strapless are this. If the girls are tiny on top and can be fully covered with no glaring cleavage go for it, but have a cardigan handy if you get there and every one is buttoned up.

If you can go from the rush party to the club without changing your clothes...you probably shouldn't wear it. :) (Unless the "club" is the country club.)

As long as you keep your makeup light and fresh, and your hair young-looking as well, you're not going to look like your mom even if you do cover up a bit.

This. Also, wear it for an hour. If in that hour you hike it up/pull on the top AT ALL, DON'T WEAR IT.

this!

Y'all are fantastic, thanks so much! And I did check the websites of the chapters, but I kept running into the problem that the only pictures up were pictures of Bid Day. But y'all have given me some good general guidelines, so thankyou!