Question for the Alumnae

RoseNWhiteLion · #1 10-01-2002, 08:54 AM

Hello Ladies!

Being a recent alumna myself (4 months out in the real world) I havea question: Is it inapropriate to wear letters in the workplace? The office I work in is pretty casual, jeans are a staple daily, but I've noticed that nobody really wears T-shirts that advertise anything. But it is still casual. Are letters/Phi Mu shirts non-kosher for work?

Just wondering!

~Allie~

PenguinTrax · #2 10-01-2002, 09:53 AM

Sorry to crash your boards..

I don't think it's completely inappropriate, but since you are so recently out of college, it could be perceived as less than completely professional (ie. she just can't get rid of her college mentality, etc.).

Even though your office is pretty casual, I would recommend (speaking as an person that's been in the workplace for a looong time), that you still dress nicer and more professional than your coworkers. Don't go over the top, but you should really set an example of what a recent college grad should look like/act.

I think that on super-casual Fridays, if folks are wearing football team jerseys, etc., it might be OK to wear letters, but I definitely wouldn't wear event-related t-shirts, etc.

I had a nice polo shirt embroidered with ZTA Alumna on the right chest. Simple, classy and it still allows me to wear my letters in a professional situation.

RoseNWhiteLion · #3 10-01-2002, 09:56 AM

Thanks, that's an awesome idea, to havea shirt embroidered. I wear my Phi Mu jewelry, but there are just days when I wanna throw my sweatshirt on.

Oh well. Thank you so much for the advice!

ladybug1116 · #4 10-01-2002, 10:15 AM

As a recent alum who works in a very conservative environment (hospital) I feel it would be inappropriate for me to display letters of any kind. I did, however, order the quatrefoil pendant from the Carnation Collection and wear it regularly on a silver chain. It's small and unique looking and has meaning to me, but to the average professional it looks like just another piece of jewelry

AchtungBaby80 · #5 10-01-2002, 10:17 AM

What about wearing letters after you're out of college period? I've seen some people do it, but how long can you get away with it?

RoseNWhiteLion · #6 10-01-2002, 11:00 AM

I don't see any reason not to wear letters outside of college. I mean if you're on your own time, I don't see anything wrong with wearing them. But I've found that people only wear them to clean house or do yard work or what-have-you. I personally want to make a quilt out of all my letters and t-shirts in a few years, after I've worn them out. But for right now I love them all too much to cut them apart and sew them back together!

ladybug1116 · #7 10-01-2002, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
What about wearing letters after you're out of college period? I've seen some people do it, but how long can you get away with it?

That's actually a good question. I don't have an answer to that one. I still wear my t-shirts and stuff to the gym or running out to wal mart or when I'm around my boyfriend b/c he's still an undergrad. I graduated less than a year ago. I actually notice a lot of people wearing event shirts and stuff to the gym...and this is alums not collegiates. However, the guy that lives in the house behind me is about 27-28 and still wears his fraternity event shirts all the time. I have to admit my roommate and I do laugh a little about that just because it seems like at this point he might have some other shirts to wear

FuzzieAlum · #8 10-01-2002, 12:44 PM

I wear my shirts for things like going to the gym, hiking, bumming around the house, etc. (And of course for AXD alum events that are casual, like philanthropy events. At these sorts of things, even the substantially older alums wear letter sweatshirts and the like.) I figure someday they will all wear out, and I won't replace them, except maybe with something like Barb described.

I wouldn't wear letters to work, though. I do think jewelry is appropriate. More often than my Quill, though, I wear my tiny recognition Quill or Choose Children pin. They don't scream "sorority" to everyone but I'd be happy to explain what they are to anyone who asked!

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #9 10-01-2002, 11:48 PM

I'm a Phi Mu for life. Cheesy as it sounds, I intend to still be wearing my letters when I'm 90.

That said, there's a time and a place for everything -- I wouldn't wear a sweatshirt to work, period. If it's cool at your work (uh, can I have an application?) go for it.

One of the girls did have a good point though -- sometimes those who've been out of college for awhile are tempted to "look down" on those of us who are fresh out. So if that's a problem for you, you might not want to provide any fodder for the gossip mill.

Does anyone wear a badge ring, and do you get any questions on it?

lion love,
Jacquelyn.