Would it be inappropriate to wear a black dress as a PNM on Pref Day?
 

I bought an all-black dress to wear on Pref Day when I rush this fall. It is very flattering and I like it a lot, but I had been told by a friend who is an active that it's not such a good idea to wear black on Pref Day as a PNM because sisters are required to wear either black or white for that day and they might mistake me for one of them. Should I be all right, or should I consider buying another dress?

We often give the same advice about wearing black on pref night. Since the friend is an active, you may want to listen to her as she knows the campus well and not all of us, myself included, are as familiar with the campus. Another way to get around this is to wear a statement necklace that is bright colored or shoes (or both possibly). Not sure if this is a fashion that is accepted at FSU. If you can find a dress or have a dress to swap it may be something to think about, but what is very important is for you to be comfortable.

Paging FSUZeta!

Even if you can't wear it for Pref Night, you will always need an LBD for other occasions. I agree that you should listen to your active friend. and FSUZeta when she comes online.

Lol ^^^

You posted just what I was going to say in the time it took me to log in.

Great minds think alike.

My chapter wore black on pref night. One chapter wore white, and all the others wore black. So, if you do choose a black dress, you may be mistaken for a sister by other PNMs. But sisters will also be wearing their badges, and their name tags will probably be a different color and/or shape.

You could accent your dress with a brightly colored scarf or wrap. You don't need to buy a new dress. Also, if you do join a chapter that wears black for pref, you'll already have your black dress - and, regardless, what young woman doesn't need a black dress in her closet? :)

Statisically speaking if all of the sisters are asked to wear black to prefs (maybe 150 of them?) and you wear black - what are the odds someone will be wearing the same dress as you? would that bother you?

At the University of Texas it is somewhat of a tradition for all the pnm's to wear black dresses. Every once in a while you'll see a different color but not often.

It really does vary by school, but I don't think it would be a HUGE deal even if it's traditional. Black is such a common dress to wear at a cocktail party that I can't imagine you'd be the only one who showed up in one. But given an alternative AND you have friends suggesting you don't, then I'd probably find something non-black to wear. And if you would happen to score a nice, appropriate WHITE dress, you will more than likely need one during sorority life.

I guess that I am from the school of thought that if you love the dress, it fits well and you're confident in it....wear it. You can mix it up with colored accessories. Wear a brightly colored shoe and a great statement necklace, you will not be mistaken for one of the actives. If it bothers you, look around at other dresses. You may not find another dress in which you feel as confident and if you don't, I really don't know how you can go wrong in a great LBD.

This is just what I would say. Go with what makes you feel confident and comfortable, because that will allow you to shine.

I wore a black dress to prefs. So did the sorority I ended up joining :)

Me too. I'm pretty sure most groups can tell the difference between sister and PNM.

If you love the black dress, wear the black dress. There's a lot to be said for a dress that you feel good in.

If there is no rule against, I would not worry about it.