Daytime Pref...what to wear?

[Libertysonggirl]

So this year our greek system has to switch to daytime pref parties instead of the ususal night time ones. We usually wore black, but since its september and gonna be about noon, i don't think that will be appropriate. Our first thought was to wear white, but the next month we have our presents ceremonies at which all the new members will wear white so we don't really want it to look the same. Any ideas on what colors to wear? We would all like to look the same, btw.

[VandalSquirrel]

How about green, or green and white?

I'll throw some in here for you.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2955746/...bo=6014132&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2966388/...bo=6014132&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2968153/...bo=6014132&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2931675/...bo=6014132&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2972239/...bo=6014132&P=1

[Libertysonggirl]

ooh thank you! i especially like the second one!

[aephi alum]

You could still use black - pref is going to be indoors, after all. Anyone who's worried about melting while running around campus in a black dress can bring a change of clothes.

The trouble with colors other than black and white is getting them to match. You'd have to order dresses in bulk, or order fabric in bulk and have everyone's dresses made, or you're going to end up with as many different shades of green (or whatever) as you have sisters.

I'd go for shorter-length cocktail dresses rather than floor-length formal gowns. I think that's the bigger issue - nobody wants to run around on a September day at noon in a long black formal dress.

[gee_ess]

Yes, a short cocktail dress in any color will work for a daytime party. The campus where I am an advisor has daytime pref parties and all houses where short cocktail dresses - our girls wear black. It works fine.

[Cutie_Hootie]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Yes, a short cocktail dress in any color will work for a daytime party. The campus where I am an advisor has daytime pref parties and all houses where short cocktail dresses - our girls wear black. It works fine.

I definitely second that. Even though our Pref is in the afternoon, when the PNMs enter our house, it is very dark and looks like it is being held in the evening. So the mood we set is still perfectly appropriate for black dresses.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

You could still use black - pref is going to be indoors, after all. Anyone who's worried about melting while running around campus in a black dress can bring a change of clothes.

The trouble with colors other than black and white is getting them to match. You'd have to order dresses in bulk, or order fabric in bulk and have everyone's dresses made, or you're going to end up with as many different shades of green (or whatever) as you have sisters.

I'd go for shorter-length cocktail dresses rather than floor-length formal gowns. I think that's the bigger issue - nobody wants to run around on a September day at noon in a long black formal dress.

My chapter has worn red dresses for pref and each woman selects one for herself. I've always viewed the different styles and different (appropriate shades) a reflection of how we're individuals but we're all Alpha Gams.

Plus this is UCLA, they have oodles of shopping choices unlike cow town where I live

ETA: I was also thinking green or green and white as it may make the chapter stick in PNMs minds, but obviously I defer to aephialum since she's an AEPhi.

[Libertysonggirl]

To some of the above posts, i forgot to mention.....half of our pref ceremony is OUTSIDE. ie. in the 95 degree california heat in the blazing noon sunlight. All the houses on our row feel that black would look weird. Plus, even when we are inside, we can't get our house dark. We have those silly bay windows with no blinds. And sticking paper or trash bags over it would 1) make it so we cant open windows so we'd die of heat and 2) make it look crappy.

I do like the red idea tho.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Libertysonggirl

To some of the above posts, i forgot to mention.....half of our pref ceremony is OUTSIDE. ie. in the 95 degree california heat in the blazing noon sunlight. All the houses on our row feel that black would look weird. Plus, even when we are inside, we can't get our house dark. We have those silly bay windows with no blinds. And sticking paper or trash bags over it would 1) make it so we cant open windows so we'd die of heat and 2) make it look crappy.

I do like the red idea tho.

We chose red because our official colors are red, buff, and green. I just went with green and white since those are yours. I guess you could do UCLA blue and gold, but that may get really bright. I can't think of a group regularly using green, so that would help the PNMs think of the "green dress women" as AEPhi when you have other chapters which to confused PNMS sound similar (ADPi for example).

[AlphaXi_Husky]

Originally Posted by Libertysonggirl

To some of the above posts, i forgot to mention.....half of our pref ceremony is OUTSIDE. ie. in the 95 degree california heat in the blazing noon sunlight. All the houses on our row feel that black would look weird. Plus, even when we are inside, we can't get our house dark. We have those silly bay windows with no blinds. And sticking paper or trash bags over it would 1) make it so we cant open windows so we'd die of heat and 2) make it look crappy.

I do like the red idea tho.

If it's going to be that hot I honestly would suggest wearing white - it will be the coolest (as in possibly help keep people from overheating). Also, you should probably check with an advisor or other higher up as you may only be allowed to wear white or black during pref (I believe that's how it works for our GLO - and my guess is others as well).

[KSUViolet06]

We had preference in the morning (granted not outside of course and we are in Ohio), and we gave girls 2 options of what to wear:

*black cocktail dress with white shoes/accessories.
*white cocktail dress with black shoes/accessories.

I believe the other sororities on campus still wore the traditional all black, with the exception of Chi Omega who wore red.

[WinniBug]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Yes, a short cocktail dress in any color will work for a daytime party. The campus where I am an advisor has daytime pref parties and all houses where short cocktail dresses - our girls wear black. It works fine.

i like the idea of black cocktail dresses
still keep the mood of the ceremony, while allowing for the weather and time of day

(using the same website as vandalsquirrel)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2976749/...bo=6014146&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2989851/...bo=6014146&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2986868/...bo=6014146&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2984416/...bo=6014146&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2933560/...bo=6014146&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2982469/...bo=6014146&P=2

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by Libertysonggirl

To some of the above posts, i forgot to mention.....half of our pref ceremony is OUTSIDE. ie. in the 95 degree california heat in the blazing noon sunlight.

Outside?? Ouch. Ok, then, forget about black.

Hmm... How about white dresses and green scarves? Here's what I'm thinking:

- Each sister chooses her own white dress, within certain guidelines (e.g. must be at least knee length). She can choose whatever looks most flattering on her.
- The chapter buys a bunch of green fabric (e.g. chiffon), and sews up a bunch of square or oblong scarves. (Perhaps you can convince an alum or a mom with a sewing machine and a lot of spare time to help with this. )
- Each sister can wear her scarf however she likes - as a wrap, a scarf, tied around her waist, etc.

The different white dresses and different ways of wearing the scarf can show the sisters' individuality, while the fact that you are all wearing the same scarf, the same pin, and the same color dress shows unity.

Just an idea. BTW I'm not aware of any rules about what colors we can wear at pref - my chapter wears black, but yup, you'd all melt if you tried that in sunshine and 95 degree heat.

[lindz0722]

I think wearing white dresses with one unifying accessory would be really nice and also help set you apart from the later ceremonies.

AOPi at my school wears red dresses for pref and I always hear PNMs talking about how nice that is because most of the other chapters wear black or white. Plus red is an easy color to find.

If you're concerned about different shades of a color, someone can drop by a hardware store and pick up a bunch of paint swatches in the desired color or colors; then sisters can carry those with them when they're shopping.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Cutie_Hootie

I definitely second that. Even though our Pref is in the afternoon, when the PNMs enter our house, it is very dark and looks like it is being held in the evening. So the mood we set is still perfectly appropriate for black dresses.

This is how we did it, too.