Our Panhellenic Council Forbids Matching Outfits?!-Anybody Else?

[AUAZD2001]

Last year I attended recruitment as an alumna (I had graduated last May), and my chapter had the most frills in the 5 years I have participatede in recruitment (1 as a PNM, 3 as an active and 1 as an alumna). Some of the clothes and accessories were provided by the sorority. A $75 recruitment clothing fee was charged to each member to cover the cost of these clothes and accessories. Here is what we all wore:

Round One- Ice Water Teas (2 Days)

Top:
Caribbean Blue AZD Panhellenic Tshirt (AZD Letters and logo on front pocket, Auburn Panshellenic logo on back- each sorority choose a different color of tshirt and different logo to go on the front pocket, usually a mascot or symbol). This was provided by the sorority. (A college student can't have too many tshits- everybody wears these shirts after recruitment)

Bottom:
Black capri pants- member's choice of style, but no low-riders, weird cuffs, etc. (I didn't have any so I went to chadwicks.com and bought some for less than $30, and i wear them all the time.)

Shoes:
Black flipflops with AZD in rhinestone studs on them- Provided by the sorority. (These were the most uncomfortable shoes I think I have ever worn in my life. It felt like I had 2 bricks strapped to the bottom of my feet. They allso did not hold up well. Many straps broke quite easily. Cute idea, but we learned that not all flopflops are created equal.

Accessories:
Member's Choice- Diamonds and/or pearls stud earrings (one per ear).
Lavalere (everybody got one as a "gift" when they were initiated. (I say "gift" because the cost came out of each initiate's initiation fee- not really a gift if you buy it yourself).
AZD rhinestone studed slide bracelet- Provided buy sorority. Very cute, but not something you would really wear besides recruitment.

Round 2- Philanthropy Day (2 Days)

Top:
Red 3/4 length sleeve tshirt with "ALPHA XI DELTA" spelled out in rhinestone studs across the chest. Provided by the sorority. (Not really somehting I would wear accept for recriutment... or maybe Greek Sing.)

Bottom:
Black, knee-length, A-line skirt. (I had to buy this one, but I lucked out and found it at Ross Dress-for-Less (a discount store like Marshalls or TJ Maxx) for only $5.)

Shoes:
Same as Round One

Accessories:
Same as Round One, but no lavalere.

Round Three- Skit Day (1 Day)

Top:
Black 3/4 length sleeve, boatneck knit shirt from Chadwicks.com- Everyone was sent an email with a link to the specific shirt and "commanded" to order the shirt. I thought it was reasonable priced and in fact ordered it in several colors. it is one of my favorite tops.

Bottom:
Black Pants- nice, professional-looking. The kind you would wear to a job interview. No low-riders, not too tight.

Shoes:
Black closed-toe heels.

Accessories:
Pearl earrings, pearl necklace, pearl braclet. Golden sash/belt- provided by sorority.

Round Four- Preference Day (1 Day)

Dress:
Black dress either with sleeves or a cardigan.

Shoes:
Black closed-toe heels.

Accessories:
AZD Quills, pearl earrings, pearl necklace, pearl bracelet, flesh color pantyhose.

Bid Day (1 Day)

Dress:
Yellow/Blue/White solid/print sundress (if strapless/spagetti strap/halter must have MATCHING cardigan.

Shoes:
Matching Sandal heels

Accessories:
Matching accessories.

Items provided by Sorority:
Panhellenic Tshits
AZD Flipflops
AZD bracelet
Red AZD shirt
Golden Sash/belt

Specific item purchase:
Chadwicks knit top.

This was also the very first year we had a "Charms Council." Exec selected one fashion-conscious, mature, respected and tactful sister from each new member class (sophomore, junior, senior). They were responsible for seeing everyone in their outfits to determine if they looked appropriate. Charms Council was held at the very beginning of pre-recruitment to allow for adequate time for sisters to get replacement clothing if they needed. Each sister was evaluated seperately to help protect her privacy.

If you can believe it, this was the smoothest, most drama-free recruitment I have been a part of. I think some of it had to do with the fact that everybody had very specific expectations going in as to what to wear. No bitchfests about buying an expensive outfit that is not appropriate. And Charms Council helped take the burden off of the recruitment chair, advisors, other officers, and day heads. They had enough to think about and be responsible for without having to worry about what everyone was wearing.