I can't speak for all NPC/IFC groups, but I do think that there is a commonly-held attitude among those org.s on this topic. DISCLAIMER! I am only trying to clarify how I perceive the general opinion of the non-BGLO's. I could be way off base. (please jump in if so).
Scarlet red and olive green are what is meaningful to my chapter - and it is about what those colors and their origin and their role in my sorority represent to me as an initiate. It isn't about whether I wear them, or how I wear them, or whether someone else wears them. If I saw a sister wearing the letters and colors in a disrespectful way, there would be an issue for me. I believe it is about WHO is wearing the letters and how. If a sister who is true and pure of heart is wearing the letters in a different color -- she is STILL representing my letters in a way that makes me proud to be her sister -- not because of the style or color but because of who she is.
My sorority's colors are very similar to those of other groups. Just because Kappa Sigma, an IFC fraternity, has a similar dark red and dark green as their chapter's colors... means nothing to me. It means something to THEM, in the same way that ALL tradition and symbols mean something to THOSE WHO WEAR THEM. If I see a Delta in a crimson shirt or a Chi-O in a cardinal shirt, I don't think that she is posing, just because my sorority's color is scarlet red and the colors can be similar.
Now... if my sorority were part of a national group (i.e. NPHC) for which chapter members' colors are always worn a certain way, I would definitely respect that within my umbrella org. But, since the NPC/IFC see colors as symbolic but not absolutely identifying, I do not feel disrespected when a sister wears colors that are not "ours".
For me personally, what matters is the girl INSIDE the letters, and how she represents my chapter - but not how she individually chooses to do it. Did I explain this correctly? If not, please let me know!!!
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