Too old to wear letters around?

[PhoenixAzul]

I kinda cut back during graduate school, mainly because I was living in a foreign country where Greek Life is SERIOUSLY misunderstood, and it always drew some uncomfortable questions/long explanations. Plus, most students dressed nicely for class, and it made me feel awkward (although I have to cop to going to class in my cycling gear on more than one occasion due to flat tires and running late). I had some event shirts that I'd wear to the gym, in which case I almost always found another Greek student (which was nice).

I'm making most of my shirts into a quilt right now, but I have a few that have some special significance and I'll still wear. And I'll forever rock my "Activation" letters because they're really nice and on a nice hoodie. I use my bag as a gym bag most days as well.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

Right... so the other day it was actually cold in DC. Figure that. Anyhow, while I will wear old college t-shirts outside and to the gym, some that I got at greek events, I save wearing my letters for just puttering around the house. I went outside to run errands in long-sleeved letters (in fact, the shirt I received from my big when I was initiated) and I got looks that would embarrass anyone. Someone actually said "Reliving glory days? What a loser!"

So my question is this: is there an age where it just becomes... weird to wear letters somewhere? Your comments/advice would be appreciated. And by the way, I am 28 years old. And I look 28. Not 60. Maybe I'm just caring too much about what others think...

Sigh.

Although I am not saying you made this up, I honestly cannot imagine someone saying such a thing out loud.

I think there is nothing wrong with wearing letter shirts (or lavalieres or pins with appropriate attire). Is there something wrong with someone wearing their college's sweatshirt? Isn't it kind of the same thing? It doesn't matter if you are a Harvard graduate or attended State Community College, are/was a member an NPHC organization or NPC, or local or service group - it's a part of who you are.

Putting all rhetoric aside (the argument that membership is for life vs. membership is something you had in college, as well as the "there's a time and place to wear a sweatshirt or t-shirt" argument) - why does age have to factor into the equation?

I have seen sisters of both AXiD and Gamma Sig (I am a member of both orgnizations) wear letters/insignia outside of meetings/events. These women range from their late 20s to their 60s. Just what is so mock worthy or shocking?

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I have seen sisters of both AXiD and Gamma Sig (I am a member of both orgnizations) wear letters/insignia outside of meetings/events. These women range from their late 20s to their 60s. Just what is so mock worthy or shocking?

I was wondering why it was so shocking, too. Maybe it's a regional thing? I don't really know. I'm graduating in a few days, but I can't imagine never wearing my letters ever again!

[violetpretty]

I live in the DC area as well, and I wear my billboard letters and event shirts occassionally in casual settings (i.e. shopping). No one ever gives me weird looks or comments.

ETA: I am only 23, so maybe I don't get looks because it might not occur to the random passerby that I am not in college anymore. Regardless, why do you care what a random passerby thinks?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I live in the DC area as well, and I wear my billboard letters and event shirts occassionally in casual settings (i.e. shopping). No one ever gives me weird looks or comments.

I live in DC too, and although it's never happened to me, I could imagine it depending on the neighborhood. Don't forget there are a lot of college alums in this city who are pretty much anti-greek. (Georgetown, for example)

[AOII Angel]

I don't own any letter shirts anymore, but I used to carry AOII tote bags (I need a new one since I wore the others out!) everyday to work. I got a lot of different responses to the bags. Some people were confused that I was displaying letters. Only one person came in and sounded excited to see my AOII letter bag. He said, "Oh, my grandmother, mother and sister are AOIIs!" I'm proud to be an AOII, but I'm not going to buy a new letter shirt that I won't use. I have plenty of screen print shirts for the gym.

[Gusteau]

At homecoming there was a Sigma Chi alumnus tailgating with his chapter near us wearing a lettered sweatshirt. My pledge brother and I both thought that it was really awesome and said that we wanted to be that guy in twenty years. I say keep rocking them!

[lauralaylin]

I stopped when I was 27, around the time I gave birth to my son. I decided that I was too old to still do it because my friends were now mom friends, and most were closer to 40. Before becoming a mom, I could pass for younger, so it was no big deal to me. I was lucky that as a rush advisor at two schools, I always had a ton of new and cute shirts well after I graduated.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I am twenty-four. The only people who comment on my letters (besides a few white people who had a brother or sister who was greek) are other black people because they have never heard of "Phi Mu" before and "what is that"? Never anything negative though, but I do still look like a teenager so they probably can't tell yet.

I'll never stop wearing them. They mean far too much to me. Perhaps I'll start getting 2-inch instead of 4-inch letters once I hit thirty or something.

[agzg]

I never hesitate to wear my AGD pullover jacket when it's rainy and windy, ESPECIALLY on weekends.

If it's acceptable to wear university and college t-shirts and sweatshirts (I had over 50 by graduation, most of which were free, most of which have moved with me from place to place), it's acceptable to wear lettered t-shirts and sweatshirts.

I'm wearing a t-shirt I got the first day of my freshman year of college right now (meaning I've had it for 7 years) and if someone said something about "reliving the glory days" I'd say something along the lines of "only because I have to deal with your ugly days." Live-in isn't greek but he wears his college t-shirts all the time, and his dad is actually jealous of the number of Oakland Zoo t's he's got and wears.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by agzg

I never hesitate to wear my AGD pullover jacket when it's rainy and windy, ESPECIALLY on weekends.

Definitely. My jacket has gotten me through some rough weather. And in Erie, PA, I don't care what I'm wearing... if I'm warm and dry, it doesn't matter what anyone says to me!

Originally Posted by lauralaylin

I was lucky that as a rush advisor at two schools, I always had a ton of new and cute shirts well after I graduated.

Same here! And I don't wear lettered shirts to every event I attend with the active sisters, but I'll put them on every so often. At the very least, my gym wardrobe is constantly updated

[Zeta_heart]

I don't think you are ever too old to rock the letters! I am still a collegian, but I love seeing other alums of other GLOs wearing letters or jewelry. I plan on wearing my letters for a loooong time. They are such a huge part of my life and I am proud to wear them.

As for attending collegiate events, why not. I know my chapter loves having some alum attend events. We always invite them! There is nothing wrong with remaining active with your GLO no matter how old you are.

Also, I love running into alum sisters! I get so excited, they have great stories. I was lucky to meet one alum sister who is a parent to one of my brothers friends. She helped colonize the chapter at her school and had wonderful insight. I would have never known this if she wasn't wearing her letters at 40+!

[AnotherKD]

Great comments, everyone. I am loving these stories!

Yeah, I live in an area of DC that is quite... liberal and crunchy, if you know what I mean. People are quite vocal in their opinions, and while my fiance has had plenty of negative comments and one physical threat because of his shirts (he's very Replublican), I didn't think anyone would care about letters being worn.

I'm chalking it up to one stupid person saying something to me, and I'm not going to care. I do tend to care what people think about me and what they say, even though they may be strangers. Something I've gotta work on. But, these letters do have meaning to me, and so I'll rock 'em whenever I feel like it.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

Yeah, I live in an area of DC that is quite... liberal and crunchy, if you know what I mean. People are quite vocal in their opinions, and while my fiance has had plenty of negative comments and one physical threat because of his shirts (he's very Replublican), I didn't think anyone would care about letters being worn.

I freaking HATE people like this - who say the Republicans are the Antichrist but act like jerks to anyone who doesn't share their views. Total a-holes. Lead me to them, I feel like punching someone.

That's when you wear your W t-shirt with your open sorority jacket over it.

[minDyG]

I'm only 22, but I do have a 2-year-old with me most of the time. I will always wear my letters with pride!