[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by victoriana

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

Here are a couple more links to some white dresses I liked:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-al...ttlewhitedress
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults

I realize some of these dresses might show a little too much shoulder, but it's not hard to find a cute little white shrug or cardi to go over the top.

I frankly have no idea of the standards of other groups, my point was to suggest something affordable, easy care, and no issues with having to find a second piece like a white cardigan or having cleavage issues. I'd rather see every woman in a simple linen shift than crazy ass lace and satin wedding dresses or trying to cover up with shawls and inappropriate cardigans.

If a sister came to me with any of your suggestions we'd have sleeve issues and on some women, cleavage and length issues. As we both said it can be remedied but sometimes it is just easier to have a dress that is completely good to go and not have to keep track of the other pieces. Also, dry cleaning is a pain and an extra cost as well as requiring some planning that busy collegians (and alumnae) may choose to avoid.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

That dress would be totally fine in AOII. Our goal is to be in white and not flashy. That covers what it should and is not distracting. Ritual is not about being cute. If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

Being "cute" during initiation or ritual never crossed my mind. One because I am always cute no matter what I wear, and second this is a private time with my sisters. At schools where there is a tradition of presentations or being in public in white, maybe that would be an issue, but finding an affordable white dress is hard and my suggestion covers women who may have a hard time due to size or height.

I am considering buying one because my sister's ivory lace and chiffon wedding dress I currently wear has beading that is slowly coming off and is so heavy and long I have to wear heels and I get hot and tired. It also doesn't have any depth on the neckline so my no torso having self wouldn't have to get it taken up to keep my bodacious tatas appropriate.

Someone should just start a company that specializes in white (or other approved colors) dresses where people pick what they need and women get them made with approved standards by their I/HQ. Send in your measurements, identify your organization, get a dress and not have to worry. Imagine the discounts if whole pledge classes and campuses are purchasing. They could be sufficiently lined and made with fabric that isn't inappropriate (sequins and stretch velvet, can't make that up!), and there could still be allowance for individual variation with necklines, sleeves, waist, and so on.