Pants or shorts during recruitment
 

I am rushing this fall at a competitive school (it's one of the schools on the list "schools you absolutely need recs") and I was wondering if it is okay to wear pants or shorts. I know not to wear denim but the shorts/slacks I want to wear are fairly smart casual.

http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/...=1297686651205
Something like this but my trousers are navy blue. I want to wear them with a dressy blouse and wedges but I was looking at the clothing thread and it seems like everyone only wears dresses during recruitment.

Does anyone know if it is okay to wear pants during recruitment at a competitive school?

I don't have a particular reason I just don't own many dresses and I don't want to spend too much money buying more dresses this summer. If I do wear shorts do they have to be an appropriate length? Obviously I wouldn't wear booty shorts or anything ridiculously short but do they have to be knee-length?

I did not go to an SEC/needs recs school, but I do like something like this for an *early* round (without the tights - they look stupid):

http://www.google.com/url?source=img...FGQTDQzC-Cf7pQ

BUT only if you can pull it off. Normally, this look only works on TALL and/or THIN people (sorry, just being honest).

Either way, here's the way I see it: You're taking a risk of standing out. That COULD be good...in a sea of Lilly, it could make you memorable. BUT only if it's the GOOD kind of memorable. Also, regardless of what you pick (shorts, pants, dresses) try it all on for someone who will give you an HONEST opinion. Not your boyfriend that would tell you that you look beautiful in a potato sack. That person doesn't even have to be well-versed in rush (although that would be a bonus), as long as they have good conservative taste and will tell you if something looks bad on you.

I would just avoid shorts/pants at a competitive recruitment, unless there is a reason you cannot wear a dress.

Dresses are cooler than pants. As in pants are going to be flipping hot in a room full of hundreds of girls. The last thing you want is visible thigh sweat. Wear dresses.

I second the modcloth recommendation, and I also recommend anthropologie.com, they have really cute dresses and frequent sales. I got my pref dress there for $30 in August on end-of-season clearance :)

what cute dresses-i absolutely love the flamenco friday's dress.

op, if you are rushing in the south this fall, you are going to burn up in slacks. a dress or skirt will be more comfortable and air circulating;).

Get a dress - you'll get your money's worth with it when you wear it to sorority functions.

Thanks everybody for the advice!

Even if you don't go to school in the south, the houses will be insanely hot when packed with PNMs and an entire chapter, even with air conditioning. Dress to impress but make sure you're comfortable!!

As an aside, there are a couple of rounds at my school where PNMs will have to sit on the floor to listen to chapters' presentations, so shorts are a MUST! The few girls that don't listen to panhellenic wind up feeling really awkward in skirts. Obviously this is not the norm at most schools, but take your panhellenic's recommendations to heart! They are there for a reason.