LouisaMay's Long Search begins... - Page 22

LouisaMay · #**316** 08-18-2006, 03:02 PM

Things have been kind *heavy* around this forum lately, so I'm going to lighten things up....

WHAT SHOES WILL I WEAR FOR INITIATION???

I've been dress shopping, but I haven't found exactly what I want yet. So clearly, I can't commit to shoes before I have the dress. Generally speaking though...how can I wear all white in late fall in Pennsylvania??? The only white shoes I have are open toed kitten heals...cute as anything but definitely NOT something that I can wear in the cold weather of a PA autumn. Help!

33girl · #**317** 08-18-2006, 03:05 PM

Go to Payless. Get white pumps or flats (they have a whole dyeables section). This isn't a "season" issue as many sororities have white ceremonies year round.

Open toed shoes aren't appropriate for rituals.

AlphaFrog · #**318** 08-18-2006, 03:08 PM

My ritual shoes...which I still have, are white pumps, semi-pointed toe, open on the sides with straps up both sides. Kind of hard to describe, but they were comfortable.

dakareng · #**319** 08-18-2006, 03:17 PM

Whatever shoes you get, make sure they are ones you can STAND (not just walk around) in for several hours without being in agony. I'm not saying that your ritual will be that long, but if you want to plan for future events, think ahead. If you're being initiated in a regional meeting, it will be a bigger celebration and you'll meet a lot more sisters so you don't want to be in pain.

Payless will have dyable shoes but so will other stores... and theirs might be more comfortable or durable. I haven't had much luck with dressy shoes at Payless. Then again, I have several DSW stores near me. I have a basic outfit that I bought at Talbots several years ago. It wasn't cheap but three conventions, and several campus visits later, I think I've got my money's worth. The shoes are from Easy Spirit-- basic pumps with 1 1/2 inch heels... after years as a nurse, wearing athletic shoes, that's as much of a heel as I can walk in.

33girl · #**320** 08-18-2006, 03:31 PM

the thing is, this is PA, and at this time of year, Payless is pretty much it for white/dyeable shoes, unless you go to a bridal store and pay an arm & a leg.

LPIDelta · #**321** 08-18-2006, 03:57 PM

Since you have some time, if you have your heart set on white shoes, I would look online. Yes I know, you can't try them on but I have actually had some good luck buying brand names online.

I wouldn't do the Payless dyeables--maybe I am a snob, but, to me, they look cheap.

With white, you do have to worry about the shades matching. The trend right now seems to aware from "matchy-matchy" so you might also consider a shoe that is neutral (light tan) or a metallic (of course, it would have to be the right style shoe to work in those colors). And I understand its cold, but I would still consider a strappy pump or kitten heel--because I love strappy shoes!

33girl · #**322** 08-18-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather17

With white, you do have to worry about the shades matching. The trend right now seems to aware from "matchy-matchy" so you might also consider a shoe that is neutral (light tan) or a metallic (of course, it would have to be the right style shoe to work in those colors). And I understand its cold, but I would still consider a strappy pump or kitten heel--because I love strappy shoes!

This is for a ritual. Neutrals or metallics are not permitted, white only. (By the way LM, make sure the whole outfit's WHITE - not cream, ivory, ecru, off white, mother of pearl, whatever - WHITE.)

And as I stated before, open toed or strappy shoes are not appropriate for ritual.

rho4life · #**323** 08-18-2006, 04:06 PM

try zappos.com. There's free shipping and returns. Super quick shipment. And, if the price drops within 2 weeks of when you order, they will credit you for the difference. Good Luck!

Drolefille · #**324** 08-18-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

This is for a ritual. Neutrals or metallics are not permitted, white only. (By the way LM, make sure the whole outfit's WHITE - not cream, ivory, ecru, off white, mother of pearl, whatever - WHITE.)

And as I stated before, open toed or strappy shoes are not appropriate for ritual.

While I know you're talking specifically to LouisaMay, almost everyone in my chapter wore white sandals with their hot pink catsuits.

Mine actually were wooden soled and completely uncomfortable. I gave them to my sister who apparently finds them stylish (she knows more about that kind of thing than I) and I'm not sure if she wears them with her whites or not.

LPIDelta · #**325** 08-18-2006, 04:10 PM

This is why I am glad the chapters I work with wear black.

33girl · #**326** 08-18-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

While I know you're talking specifically to LouisaMay, almost everyone in my chapter wore white sandals with their hot pink catsuits.

Mine actually were wooden soled and completely uncomfortable. I gave them to my sister who apparently finds them stylish (she knows more about that kind of thing than I) and I'm not sure if she wears them with her whites or not.

I know that there are probably some of our chapters that wear open toed shoes - however, you should be wearing pantyhose for ritual unless you wear a pantsuit, and hose + open toes always = bad.

I also don't think that some of the spaghetti strapped dresses I've seen are appropriate - I don't care how dressy they are or how much they cost - but I know I've gone on this rant in another thread somewhere previously.

tunatartare · #**327** 08-18-2006, 04:13 PM

At my school, lots of girls wore white flip flops or Chinese beaded slippers with their whites, but I'm assuming that that wouldn't fly with ASA.

33girl · #**328** 08-18-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

At my school, lots of girls wore white flip flops or Chinese beaded slippers with their whites, but I'm assuming that that wouldn't fly with ASA.

It might fly w/ ASA, but whether it would fly with me is another story.

My point is that LM isn't a college student who's stuck with no way to find things to wear and has to make do - she has months to prepare for her initiation and there's no reason for her to be dressed inappropriately. Especially since the spotlight will be on her since she won't be part of a pledge class.

dakareng · #**329** 08-18-2006, 04:52 PM

That is an excellent point. I'm not an ASA but I honestly don't think the solemnity of the occasion is that much different from my Pi Phi experience. I've worked with enough chapters and been to enough conventions that I've seen wide variety in the interpretation of ritual attire. I could write a book on the dos and don'ts! You are absolutely correct- an adult who knows of her initiation several months in advance has no excuse for inappropriate dress including shoes and undergarments (don't get me started on the things collegiate members wear-- (or don't) under their white dresses). Spaghetti strap or strapless dresses may be stylish and appropriate for proms, weddings, not for ritual.

And I agree with you, Heather, payless dyable shoes just look cheap, and I don't think they are comfortable... and yes, I own a pair. A lovely shade of lavender to match a lovely taffeta dress.

It will be more difficult finding white shoes in PA in fall but you might have some luck now with the summer end-of-season sales, or find a few online and see if you can try on the black version in a local store.

Drolefille · #**330** 08-18-2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

I know that there are probably some of our chapters that wear open toed shoes - however, you should be wearing pantyhose for ritual unless you wear a pantsuit, and hose + open toes always = bad.

I also don't think that some of the spaghetti strapped dresses I've seen are appropriate - I don't care how dressy they are or how much they cost - but I know I've gone on this rant in another thread somewhere previously.

lol I agree about the fact that LM isn't in college etc.

But I never wore panty hose with my whites either.

Such rebels were we.