outfit question

[PNM128]

I'm rushing at a Georgia this Fall and I plan on wearing dresses for most of the rounds, but I was told to stick to plain dresses. Are patterns a no no?

[DubaiSis]

Are people really picking out dresses ALREADY?

Dress in good taste. Would you wear a print dress in any other scenario? Of course you would. Should you wear a dress that looks like it came out of your Grandmother's curtains? No. You don't want to stand out like a sore thumb but you don't need to be invisible either. I think you're bright enough to know the difference.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Are people really picking out dresses ALREADY?

Of course!
If you wait until July, all you'll find on the racks will be wool.

[FleurGirl]

Originally Posted by PNM128

I'm rushing at a Georgia this Fall and I plan on wearing dresses for most of the rounds, but I was told to stick to plain dresses. Are patterns a no no?

I don't think patterns in general are a no-no, but sometimes print dresses can look less formal or polished than a solid color. When you're wearing a pattern, it's also very easy to over-accessorize and end up looking silly instead of put together. I think the Coco Chanel rule (take off one accessory before leaving home) goes double when you're wearing a print. I don't think a pattern would be a problem in earlier rounds, but maybe stick to solids for the dressier nights.

[ellebud]

No one would ever consider a Diane Von furstenberg wrap dress as "less" formal. Simple and elegant...day to evening. (There are knockoffs...or inspired by dresses)...perhaps a bit sophisticated for an 18 year old, but the essence of the style isn't.

But then again, my girls have worn her stuff since they were 16...for the right occasion...with Mom and friends.

As my daughter found out...she wore a turquoise silk dress to an event. One TINY dot of something fell on it......and that is all you see....going to the cleaners in a few minutes.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by FleurGirl

I don't think patterns in general are a no-no, but sometimes print dresses can look less formal or polished than a solid color. When you're wearing a pattern, it's also very easy to over-accessorize and end up looking silly instead of put together. I think the Coco Chanel rule (take off one accessory before leaving home) goes double when you're wearing a print. I don't think a pattern would be a problem in earlier rounds, but maybe stick to solids for the dressier nights.

One of my colleagues is also a Gamma Phi. She found her old "pledge manual" materials while helping her mom de-clutter. They were written in 1968. She brought them in and we got a real kick out of this section on Personal Appearance and Manners:

Edna Bryte Bishop, educational director for the Advance Pattern Company, and the originator of the Bishop Method of clothing construction, devised a point system for dressing smartly. A well-dressed woman does not wear more than 10 points for work or daytime wear, and she does not wear more than 15 points for dress or evening wear. The following table shows how the points add up.

Dress/Outfit
one color 1 pt.
print or 2 colors 2 pts.
2-piece 2 pts.
contrasting collar or belt 1 pt.
any trim, bows, etc. 1 pt. each
contrasting buttons 1 pt.
scarf 1 pt.

Jewelry
1 pt. each for necklace, bracelet, pin, and earrings
(I think some of the bold, chunky jewelry in style now could go for 2 pts.)

Shoes
Plain 1 pt.
Others 2 pts.

Purse (but you probably have to leave that at the door, so maybe it won't count)
Plain 1 pt.
Elaborate 2 pts. (I'm thinking Vera Bradley prints might go for 3)

I'll skip the gloves and hat point values...I don't think any PNMs are wearing hats nowadays.

You may think that this is old-fashioned and out of date, but it actually works. We've tried it out repeatedly on another one of our colleagues who loves lots of jewelry, big brooches, bright colors and prints, print-framed glasses, etc. (that reminds me...better add a point for glasses) One of us will just say "12" or "16". I admit it's very snarky and immature of us to do this, but she's a back-stabbing gossiper, so we don't feel too guilty about our private joke.

[FSUZeta]

There are threads on GC in regards to UGA recruitment, and people have linked photos of pnms in the threads. If they are still accessible, you can see what Georgia pnms are wearing. I seem to remember lots of print (some bold prints) fabric sundresses that were really cute.

Found a link for you:

http://spotted.onlineathens.com/galleries/421158/

And LOL at you Sciencewoman-"12", "16". I love the point guide from the pledge manual.

[DubaiSis]

Sciencewoman, I LOVE that.
I thought I'd show some prints I personally think are fine (not preference, of course) and are not fine, unless you're cool with really being vivid.

cute, discreet print
cute but very loud print. I think this would still be ok for an early round of rush for the right girl (talking only about the pattern, not the dresses themselves)

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

There are threads on GC in regards to UGA recruitment, and people have linked photos of pnms in the threads. If they are still accessible, you can see what Georgia pnms are wearing. I seem to remember lots of print (some bold prints) fabric sundresses that were really cute.

Found a link for you:

http://spotted.onlineathens.com/galleries/421158/

I love how all the PNMs are coiffed to the nines...and the Rho Chis all have their hair pulled into a practical "whatever...I'm in now and I'm not wearing my letters" beat-the-heat pony tail.

[dgdramadawg]

At Georgia, prints are totally fine... think Lilly as an example of cute prints that are still considered classy. Every girl I've known who has gone through recruitment there in the past several years has worn a print for round one or two. I would recommend a solid for pref; lots of girls wear black for pref (not sure if they're telling you that you need to or if it's just a trend).