new chapter, not traditional rush..what to wear?

ukpnm515 · #1 09-03-2009, 05:15 PM

hey everybody! im a freshman at university of kentucky, and an alpha phi chapter is opening here this fall. i didnt go through rush, but apparently alpha phi didnt participate either. i have an interview scheduled, and they have a few colonization events that i plan on attending, but im having trouble figuring out what to wear. i want to be prepared and present myself well, but all the tips i find for this are for the traditional rush, not an interview. if anyone has any tips id appreciate it!

lauralaylin · #2 09-03-2009, 05:17 PM

I think you can wear pretty much the same things you would to formal recruitment.

PhoenixAzul · #3 09-03-2009, 05:21 PM

< lane swerve >

Since this isn't a "party" type atmosphere, rather an "interview" atmosphere, I'd probably opt for a business casual outfit for the interview. Nice (clean and pressed) dress trousers/skirt and dress shoes, nice top (topped with a blazer if the top is a bit casual), and a little light makeup. Still use your clothes to show your personality, but go a little more business and not so much party. I think you'd be wise to avoid jeans, flip-flops, hoodies, and anything with a drawstring or velcro.

If after the interview they have parties for PNMs, then the game changes.

< / lane swerve >

FSUZeta · #4 09-03-2009, 05:26 PM

agree with phoenix-business interview type outfit for your interview; then party outfits for a more party atmosphere.

ukpnm515 · #5 09-03-2009, 05:27 PM

thanks for the input! im feeling kind of out of my element, i'd never considered rushing before until i got here and saw how much more comfortable those girls that did it are, and they always seem to be having fun together! i found a picture online of a dress i have, would this be appropriate with a cardigan sweater? i also have button up shirts and a few skirts with me.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/8/7/5...5077997_tp.jpg

thanks!

lauralaylin · #6 09-03-2009, 05:37 PM

Yes, wear interview type clothes to the interview, but for the parties, you can wear the equivalent to what others wore to formal recruitment. Not interview clothes to every event.

angels&angles · #7 09-03-2009, 05:37 PM

I would consider this dress to be too casual, esp for September (even somewhere as Southern as Kentucky). But that's just me.

Question for people who have colonized: are the interview/party things mostly with adults, recent alums, or current members from other chapters (or a mixture)? I would think knowing that would make a differnce. For instance, I wouldn't wear a blazer if I were talking to someone close to my age, but I probably would for anyone over, say, 30.

FSUZeta · #8 09-03-2009, 05:38 PM

that would be fine.

i hope that it works out for you-being a member of a colony is an opportunity few of us get to have. i was an advisor to a colony , so i got to experience it thru the girls. lots more work than joining an established chapter, but so worth it(and you get your name on the chapter charter!) please let us know how it goes!

FSUZeta · #9 09-03-2009, 05:44 PM

oops-sorry for the conflicting answers. i said yes to the dress because it is slightly preppy-love madras!- and is a conservative style, yet still youthful. with a cardigan draped around her shoulders, i think she would look very cute.

i cannot speak for alpha phi, but with zta, current and former national officers do the initial interviews. once the party part of the recruitment begins, they sometimes bring in a nearby chapter to "rush" the pnms and later to perform the pref. ceremony.

angels&angles · #10 09-03-2009, 05:52 PM

It's not a bad dress at all, but in general I consider madras to be a spring/summer fabric (pattern?), esp with the pastel colors. I would say the cut is fine and appropriate for and interview/recruitment.

((Just to make myself clear, my mom, who honestly has very little style sense, instilled in me at a very young age the difference between summer and winter fabrics. So it's something I've always noticed, and something I tend to think of adults noticing. Maybe nobody else in the world does care. But that's really the only place my objection came from.))

KSUViolet06 · #11 09-03-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angels&angles

I would consider this dress to be too casual, esp for September (even somewhere as Southern as Kentucky). But that's just me.

Question for people who have colonized: are the interview/party things mostly with adults, recent alums, or current members from other chapters (or a mixture)? I would think knowing that would make a differnce. For instance, I wouldn't wear a blazer if I were talking to someone close to my age, but I probably would for anyone over, say, 30.

I'm pretty sure that colonization interviews within my sorority are done by national staff members, and ours are a varied number of ages. Example: You may interview with our Member Dev VP who is in her mid-30s or another offers in her 40s or a consultant who is 25 or 26..

So I'd say to dress professionally as if you were going to talk to someone who is not your peer (i.e. not an 18-21 year old college student) since you may not know who you'll end up interviewing with.

ukpnm515 · #12 09-03-2009, 06:07 PM

thanks for being honest! angels&angles, i generally abide by the season rules for clothes too, but it is very much still summer here, it was 80 degrees today! i included the sweater to try and make it less casual and more suitable for an air conditioned room. i saw that you all think flip flops are a no-no, but i dont have any flats to go with this dress. so would you recommend strappy backless white heels or brown leather flip flops?

FSUZeta · #13 09-03-2009, 06:12 PM

no flip flops and tho i endorsed the dress(i AM in south florida-lol) i could not endorse white shoes elsewhere after labor day. maybe you could pick up a cute pair of strappy, low(kitten) heeled sandals in a carmel/tan color or a color that coordinates with your dress-this time of year you might find them on clearance?

ukpnm515 · #14 09-03-2009, 06:14 PM

thats a good idea, thanks! i wore the white shoes to prom...haha im 5'8 and kind of a klutz so i dont really buy heels often

chitown · #15 09-03-2009, 06:54 PM

One of my good friends colonized her chapter so I did some asking...she said that it was during the wintertime so people were generally wearing winter dresses, leggings, and nice boots. She said there were one or two girls there in suits, one or two in jeans (and i don't think they were invited back) but for the most part it was "business casual trendy". I think that with a cardigan and some cute shoes (preferably heels to dress it up- please GOD do not wear white ones after Monday) you will be ok.

Personally, I think its always better to be dressed a little nicer than neccessary, vs. looking too casual. At least it shows you tried and are excited about the prospect. Good luck! Colonizing a chapter would be an AMAZING experience.