Pref dress help?

[tacitum]

I am rushing at a pretty competitive SEC school this fall and I was hoping for some feedback on my pref dress.

http://i25.tinypic.com/1zmc6xi.jpg

That's the dress I am considering.. without the jacket. The top is detailed lace and sleeveless. The dress is shorter on the model - I am not that tall, it falls about two inches above my knee.

The thing is, everyone says not to wear black because you'll blend in.. I mean is this dress too likely to blend in since it's black/gray and such? It looks really classy in person and I really like the way it looks... I'm just worried it won't go over well or hurt my chances of a bid. I have a lighter complexion but at the same time my coloring isn't "pale" (hard to explain... kind of peachy-ish) but I also have really deep emerald green eyes. I honestly look best in black or darker colors/neutrals and have trouble pulling off super bright/in-your-face colors -- my dresses for the open house/skit days are floral print but have darker accents to compensate -- So basically I want feedback on the dress? Maybe I could match it with cute bright shoes? I really do like this dress, but if it's totally wrong I am not opposed to finding something else.

[KSUViolet06]

That dress doesn't really say Pref to me just by looking at it. It says "night out with friends."

If folks are telling you that no one wears black, then you probably shouldn't.

I also tend to think that SEC pref attire is more cocktail than that.

These are just my opinion though.

We have a thread about pref attire that might help you:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=97970

[ellebud]

What is your hair color? Your eyes sound fabulous, please accent them. There are some beautiful jewel tone dresses that will emphasize the eyes (aubergine, deep greens, navy).

[tacitum]

ellebud - My hair color is blonde, but kind of ash - not super light. I am going to perhaps lighten it a bit before rush though. It's the weirdest thing how many colors just look off on me. I bought a bright pink dress online that I loved and it just looked awful with my skin tone and eyes. Same with a coral and peach dress that my mom said made me look like a washed out disaster... hahah. I am thinking navy, though, and love your color suggestions! I just usually always wear blacks and neutrals so am tentative to expand outside of that.

KSUViolet - No one related to my school has told me not to wear black - I've only read about it being a bad idea on here. I was worried that people might think it was a "night out" dress so thanks for that. It is a little more dressy/classy than the picture displays, but I see what you're saying. Outside opinions are good for that - I would tend to be biased obviously Thank you for the link.. I did a search but I didn't see that thread somehow.. those are some great examples!

Also was maybe thinking this dress -- http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/s...007&R=03368362

[ellebud]

Two things: (As a mom who told her kids never to color their hair themselves, I would pay to have it done. And, never change your hair color prior to a big event when you can't change it back.) The best thing to do with hair color is to high light (subtle) around your eyes.

Believe or not, one way to determine if a color will look well on you is to imagine it as a duvet color: peach with mustard yellow...maybe not...peach with grey/blue/green the duvet would look nice.

Navy with blond hair and green eyes? Gorgeous.

..........I love shopping, can you tell?

[tacitum]

Yes ma'am, I am getting it professionally done (one home-coloring disaster the day before junior year started... never again!) and only highlights. Nothing drastic, just what I usually get done to lighten the ash color.

[prettygirlie]

the second Dillard's dress is absolutely gorgeous! go with that one. oh and good luck with rush!

[WhiteDaisy128]

I definitely like the Dillard dress better than the first one (which really doesn't look like a "pref" dress to me.

I think with your coloring description, I'd look for a navy, forest green, or dark purple (eggplant) colored dress.

[Alumiyum]

I definitely agree with the majority here, based on your description of yourself...jewel tones would be faboosh, but navy would be both safe and super flattering with your complexion. I would say, think evening wedding. Cocktail, conservative, classy.

[kddani]

The first one is way too low cut for hanging out with women.

[PhoenixAzul]

^ I'm with KDDani.

The fabrics are also sort of casual for a pref event. I'd go for something in the vein of the second Dillards dress if it were me. I'm a sucker for a fun neckline though!

Keep in mind if you go for something a little conservative, you can always have fun shoes.

[AZTheta]

Dress One: I've seen that color combination exectued well (design), and carried off very successfully by women with your coloring. This particular dress - not so much.

You want to avoid "color-sucking" pale palettes, especially close to your face. While I like Dress Two, that ivory bodice might not provide the contrast with your eyes and hair. Do agree w/ everyone else about the neckline issue.

Pay attention to ellebud's advice and recommendations. She is in great demand around these parts.

While I might not know as much as others about fashion, I do understand style and I am passionate about color. Go from there in terms of choosing a wardrobe. Only buy what you love, and you'll never go wrong.

And, if you do settle on a dress, and are so inclined, post it, please do so. We'd love to see it. All this virtual shopping is fun, and easy on my budget!

[FSUZeta]

does your panhellenic site have photos of suggested attire for each round of parties? that would be a good reference point and as we say often, just kick their suggestion up a notch.

agree with everyones opinion -the first dress is a ho hum. the 2nd dress is cute-just make sure that that ivory top does not wash you out.

[BeeBee23]

Does the greek website say anything in particular about color options for pref? Like FSUZeta said, often times the suggested outfits are a little on the casual side compared to what the PNMs actually wear. And as for the color, at some SEC schools the PNMs where black dresses. If thats the case you would want to stick with an all black LBD or else you'll stick out like a sore thumb.

If you know girls who rushed last year then talk to them and they can help you figure out what might work best for pref night

[Angelic]

I was virtual shopping for you. I also love shopping I think these would look good with your skin tone and you don't want to wear black.

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/s...894&R=03368315
http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/s...894&R=03349792