Wearing your letters?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Texas Beta

Block letters are tacky.

At Texas you can tell who is in a fraternity or sorority pretty easily. If guys aren’t dressed smart (Polo, slacks), they're wearing either their fraternities shirt (pocket t-shirt usually) or a sorority event shirt. Almost my entire chapter wears a Beta hat. I switch between it and another organization I belong to. Girls are always wearing their letters, bags, purses, hats, ect.

Or the standard GLO letters, a Columbia or North Face jacket. :P

Maybe at your school they're tacky. At my school, jerseys like some schools have would've been tacky. Most of the sororities and fraternity shirts were the letter shirts, usually matching. As for hats, not many guys at my school wore them, and they might have been asked to remove them in class.

Everyone in Seattle wears Columbia and North Face...it's certainly not a sign of a Greek here.

[Tom Earp]

Amazing! Simply Amazing?

You do not wear certain types of Letters representing YOUR GLOs?

WHY? You are not proud enough?

You will be happier wearing Symbols or Logos of shoes, beer, clothing stores?

We as GLOs Advertise OUR GLOs or not!

If you are not proud enough then why even join?

As an Alumni, I try and wear mine as much as possible, how about You?

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Amazing! Simply Amazing?

You do not wear certain types of Letters representing YOUR GLOs?

WHY? You are not proud enough?

You will be happier wearing Symbols or Logos of shoes, beer, clothing stores?

We as GLOs Advertise OUR GLOs or not!

If you are not proud enough then why even join?

As an Alumni, I try and wear mine as much as possible, how about You?

Tom, if you need a shirt with letters on them to prove that you are proud of your fraternity.......you aren't doing something right. Frankly, I find that pathetic

Hahahahhahahhahahahhaha......That is truly sad. I'm sorry.....but there comes a time when wearing letters becomes unacceptable and pretty douchebaggish. No one gives a shit, especially in the business world, if you were in a fraternity or not. Wearing your fraternity's letters after you graduate makes you look like a complete loser that hasn't let go of the fact that he isn't in college anymore. The only thing, as far as i'm concerned, that is acceptable to show from your fraternity when you are older is your initiation certificate in a nice frame. My father has his in his office on the wall along with his UT graduation and Law school graduation certificates.

I don't show off my letters hardly every......because I think that is what it makes you come off like. Trying to show off. "Hey everyone, look at me, i'm an SAE." Why make it a point to let everyone know what fraternity you are in? If you are doing it right, people should already know who you are. I'll sport date party pocket Ts and sorority function shirts to class or around the house, but thats about it. Also, you're in college, time to start dressing appropriately......

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Wearing your fraternity's letters after you graduate makes you look like a complete loser that hasn't let go of the fact that he isn't in college anymore. The only thing, as far as i'm concerned, that is acceptable to show from your fraternity when you are older is your initiation certificate in a nice frame. My father has his in his office on the wall along with his UT graduation and Law school graduation certificates.

My framed shingle is on my office wall with my diplomas and my law license as well.

But I would suggest that it is possible and acceptable to wear fraternity insignia of some kind as an alum under a few other circumstances. Many fraternity alumni I know wear their GLO's recognition/lapel pin -- not necessarily every day but often and when appropriate. (More often than not, those pins are a small coat-of-arms or other symbol, like Lambda Chi's Cross and Crescent, rather than letters. I agree it would be odd to see an older man wearing the letter-style lapel pin.)

It's very common for me to see alums, especially younger alums, wearing Greek-related tee-shirts when working out.

And, of course, the situation would be different at a fraternity event. But otherwise, with the few exceptions I noted, I agree with you -- it is very rare to see alums wearing letters or other Greek gear, and it looks odd.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It's very common for me to see alums, especially younger alums, wearing Greek-related tee-shirts when working out.

And, of course, the situation would be different at a fraternity event. But otherwise, with the few exceptions I noted, I agree with you -- it is very rare to see alums wearing letters or other Greek gear, and it looks odd.

Definitely; I wear my shirts when I work out, or when I'm just hanging out at home on the weekends. I will admit, though, that I don't wear them anymore when I go out, and never at work or school.

That's not a lack of pride, that's just a recognition for the dress code in certain locations.

[Sister Havana]

Block letters are very common at IU, especially on sweatshirts/hoodies. Lettered pullover windbreakers are also pretty common, especially homecoming windbreakers. Of course there's tons of event shirts too. You'll see a lot of Little 500 shirts in the spring.

Lettered bags are a very common Bid Day gift.

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Wearing your fraternity's letters after you graduate makes you look like a complete loser that hasn't let go of the fact that he isn't in college anymore

That stems from the thinking that your fraternity affiliation is just a "college" thing. That also means you may place way too emphasis on what other people (may) think.

For those of us whom consider our fraternal bond a lifetime committment, we don't judge people that way, and those of us who come from that type of "greek" (read, fraternity) culture recognize that. We reserve the right to wear letters when and wherever we want.

That being said, I don't go around sporting paraphernalia all the time like it's the only stuff I own, either. We look at Greeks who do that and immediately think, "neo" (neophyte). I don't wear letters often anymore (except when I'm working in an official capacity with my org or in a service-related event). But I do have the license place/keychain/etc, and I do have a couple of jackets/sweaters that I may wear to specific events when appropriate.

Bottom line: My fraternal bond is for life. Many of us look at it that way, while others may not. In any case, I don't let other people's opinions affect whether I "wear letters" or not. Some of those same people will tell you that you're a "loser" to have joined a fraternity/sorority in the first place.

[Texas Beta]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

That stems from the thinking that your fraternity affiliation is just a "college" thing. That also means you may place way too emphasis on what other people (may) think.

For those of us whom consider our fraternal bond a lifetime committment, we don't judge people that way, and those of us who come from that type of "greek" (read, fraternity) culture recognize that. We reserve the right to wear letters when and wherever we want.

That being said, I don't go around sporting paraphernalia all the time like it's the only stuff I own, either. We look at Greeks who do that and immediately think, "neo" (neophyte). I don't wear letters often anymore (except when I'm working in an official capacity with my org or in a service-related event). But I do have the license place/keychain/etc, and I do have a couple of jackets/sweaters that I may wear to specific events when appropriate.

Bottom line: My fraternal bond is for life. Many of us look at it that way, while others may not. In any case, I don't let other people's opinions affect whether I "wear letters" or not. Some of those same people will tell you that you're a "loser" to have joined a fraternity/sorority in the first place.

I think everybody joins a fraternity for life. I can't wait to be an alumnus and help my chapter. I think the basic point of this argument is that people dress the way the position in life dictates. If you're making plenty of money, or command a powerful position in your business, I don't think you're going to be wearing your "badge" or whatever sort of pin you have to a dinner party. I'd rather new guys have my old shirts then myself wearing them even to work out. Being a member of a fraternity for life, does not mean you have to wear your fraternity’s clothes to prove that. When you are alumni there are so many better ways you can prove this. I don't see myself in the future ever wearing t-shirts besides the odd day that I can relax; even then I hope to be wearing smarter casual apparel.

In my view, wearing fraternity shirts = college. College matures you. When you’re finished with college, hopefully you adopt a more mature style of dress.

[OhSoSmoothKalyn]

Originally Posted by Texas Beta

Being a member of a fraternity for life, does not mean you have to wear your fraternity’s clothes to prove that.

I agree... there are many of my sisters who give away their shirts to the newer girls during senior service... I think it's a good thing to do... I'm a sophomore and I can't wait to give away my stuff to a younger sister... When you join an organization, you join it for life, you will always be what you initiated into

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by Texas Beta

I think everybody joins a fraternity for life. I can't wait to be an alumnus and help my chapter. I think the basic point of this argument is that people dress the way the position in life dictates. If you're making plenty of money, or command a powerful position in your business, I don't think you're going to be wearing your "badge" or whatever sort of pin you have to a dinner party. I'd rather new guys have my old shirts then myself wearing them even to work out. Being a member of a fraternity for life, does not mean you have to wear your fraternity’s clothes to prove that. When you are alumni there are so many better ways you can prove this. I don't see myself in the future ever wearing t-shirts besides the odd day that I can relax; even then I hope to be wearing smarter casual apparel.

In my view, wearing fraternity shirts = college. College matures you. When you’re finished with college, hopefully you adopt a more mature style of dress.

I don't necessarily disagree. As I said, I myself don't wear letters frequently anymore (I've been out of school a while). My point is that I reserve the right to wear letters if I choose to do so. They aren't any less my letters just because I graduated from school. For me, it isn't a matter of trying to prove anything to anyone. I dress appropriately for my current age/status/whatever, whether on the job or off; I definitely dress much differently than I did as an undergrad in college.

If I choose to wear 'nalia, it's no different than anyone wearing stuff with college names and logos (whether as a graduate or as a fan, but I suppose some people may not consider that "mature dress").

Like I said (in a nutshell) in my earlier post, one's opinion on the "wearing letters" issue depends on your viewpoint in general about fraternity/sorority life and its relevance after college.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

I don't necessarily disagree. As I said, I myself don't wear letters frequently anymore (I've been out of school a while). My point is that I reserve the right to wear letters if I choose to do so. They aren't any less my letters just because I graduated from school. For me, it isn't a matter of trying to prove anything to anyone. I dress appropriately for my current age/status/whatever, whether on the job or off; I definitely dress much differently than I did as an undergrad in college.

If I choose to wear 'nalia, it's no different than anyone wearing stuff with college names and logos (whether as a graduate or as a fan, but I suppose some people may not consider that "mature dress").

Like I said (in a nutshell) in my earlier post, one's opinion on the "wearing letters" issue depends on your viewpoint in general about fraternity/sorority life and its relevance after college.

If you notice, there are very few non-NPC/NIC members speaking on this topic for a very good reason.....

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

That stems from the thinking that your fraternity affiliation is just a "college" thing. That also means you may place way too emphasis on what other people (may) think.

For those of us whom consider our fraternal bond a lifetime committment, we don't judge people that way, and those of us who come from that type of "greek" (read, fraternity) culture recognize that. We reserve the right to wear letters when and wherever we want.

That being said, I don't go around sporting paraphernalia all the time like it's the only stuff I own, either. We look at Greeks who do that and immediately think, "neo" (neophyte). I don't wear letters often anymore (except when I'm working in an official capacity with my org or in a service-related event). But I do have the license place/keychain/etc, and I do have a couple of jackets/sweaters that I may wear to specific events when appropriate.

Bottom line: My fraternal bond is for life. Many of us look at it that way, while others may not. In any case, I don't let other people's opinions affect whether I "wear letters" or not. Some of those same people will tell you that you're a "loser" to have joined a fraternity/sorority in the first place.

I do think that fraternity bonds last a lifetime. My close pledge brothers will be my friends for life..........I don't need to wear an SAE lettered article of clothing to show that. I will always donate money and be a contributor to my fraternity just as any normal alum would when they graduate. I just simply believe that when you are done with college and working....it is a little silly to wear greek letters......and I also think it makes you look less mature. You are an adult now, time to dress like one. Same goes for license plates, stickers, key chains, etc. Like I said before, the only think I will probobly have out that people can see would be my certificate of initiation in a nice frame.......hanging next to my undergrad and law school graduation certificates.

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by macallan25

I do think that fraternity bonds last a lifetime. My close pledge brothers will be my friends for life..........I don't need to wear an SAE lettered article of clothing to show that. I will always donate money and be a contributor to my fraternity just as any normal alum would when they graduate. I just simply believe that when you are done with college and working....it is a little silly to wear greek letters......and I also think it makes you look less mature. You are an adult now, time to dress like one. Same goes for license plates, stickers, key chains, etc. Like I said before, the only think I will probobly have out that people can see would be my certificate of initiation in a nice frame.......hanging next to my undergrad and law school graduation certificates.

Then you better throw out any sweatshirts/t-shirts/caps/etc. with college logos, or better yet, don't wear anything that could be remotely considered "immature". That probably goes for shorts/sandals/t-shirts,etc., even in a casual setting...

...Oh, and no cheering or waving flags for your alma maters at sports events. Wouldn't want anyone to think you were "less mature", since you're supposed to leave that all behind when you graduate...

I say again, it's a matter of opinion, and of differences in the "Greek" culture of various campuses/orgs. For a great number of us, it is OK (and customary) to wear letters (at appropriate times) after graduation. We don't NEED to wear letters (again, we don't wear them all the time), but we reserve the right to wear them IF and WHEN we choose. And we don't get perceived negatively for it...

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

I say again, it's a matter of opinion, and of differences in the "Greek" culture of various campuses/orgs.

Exactly. For some people, it would be weird and inappropriate to wear sorority/fraternity, or even college gear, after graduation. For others, it would be a foreign concept not to do so. This is based in the cultural issues. Live and let live ... this is a pointless argument; no one's going to change anyone else's mind, and it's not really very important to do so. Save it for the big stuff

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

Then you better throw out any sweatshirts/t-shirts/caps/etc. with college logos, or better yet, don't wear anything that could be remotely considered "immature". That probably goes for shorts/sandals/t-shirts,etc., even in a casual setting...

...Oh, and no cheering or waving flags for your alma maters at sports events. Wouldn't want anyone to think you were "less mature", since you're supposed to leave that all behind when you graduate...

I say again, it's a matter of opinion, and of differences in the "Greek" culture of various campuses/orgs. For a great number of us, it is OK (and customary) to wear letters (at appropriate times) after graduation. We don't NEED to wear letters (again, we don't wear them all the time), but we reserve the right to wear them IF and WHEN we choose. And we don't get perceived negatively for it...

Well, you should learn to dress appropriately long before you leave college, so the t-shirt thing and sweartshirts are taken care of. I'll wear a sorority function or SAE party t-shirt every once in a while......very rarely though, maybe to class or if . Shorts aren't immature........thats stupid. Sweartshirts are about as cool as fanny packs.

There is a huge difference between supporting your alma mater and flashing around your fraternity's letters. I really shouldn't have to explain that one.