[summer_gphib]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

It depends on the specific chapters on your specific campus.

I don't know that there are any NPC groups that have skirts/dresses written into stone for anything (though I can't speak to others' rituals), but some chapters may be open to something different, and others may not be. For example, if everyone in the chapter wears black dresses during the last stage of recruitment (pref), and you wish to wear a menswear-style suit, that will send a message to PNM's. One chapter may embrace that message as a way to show how diverse and welcoming they are, while another may worry that it will make them look "weird" to the PNM's.

On the other hand, you have a choice on how flexible to be as well. Are you willing to put on a black dress one day out of the year? What about something like a dressy women's pantsuit? While I wouldn't tell you to compromise your own identity, in many chapters, tomboy types do things for recruitment they wouldn't normally want to do (and if I'm reading your post right, you are butch, but still identify as female).

The age thing also depends on the school, but at many schools, upperclassmen can have a successful rush if they are willing to consider all chapters.

You say you are in Florida, and there are people who can give more info on which schools are more traditional and which may be more open-minded about new members.

This is really good advice. To be honest, I loathe dressing up, and always have. But a part of being Greek meant that a few times a year, I had to put on a cocktail dress and high heels. Did I love it? No. Was it me? Not really, I've always been a more casual person. But the joys I got out of being in my organizations meant more to me than the fact I had to get "gussied up." Everyone of us has had moments we "didn't love" or that didn't feel 100 percent authentic to who we are, (how many of us really enjoyed every aspect being in an overcrowded room that was 112 degrees, smiling and talking to freshmen about their majors in 800 different parties in one night!??) but the end goal of being part of something bigger than yourself is worth it. Being in a sorority is about sisterhood, tradition, and believing in your organization.