Question about attire for recruitment

[AlexMack]

For the record...I'm a Target and Old Navy kind of girl. My budget is very tight as well. I got my recruitment clothes there and later I found my whites for ritual at Target. You don't have to spend to look good, you just have to know how to wear it well.

[sherbertlemons]

Originally Posted by centaur532

You don't have to spend to look good, you just have to know how to wear it well.

Ditto that. A well fitted, flattering outfit is going to look better than a designer outfit that doesn't fit well any day of the week, IMHO.

I'd take your time shopping. If you're unsure of your own judgement, take a friend who looks well put together. I also find that Ross and Marshalls are great places to scout out bargains.

You might also try the clearance racks of more expensive stores, especially the online clearance racks, which often have better bargains than in-store ones do. (I have this crazy little Anthropologie addiction, and I swear by their onine clearance racks. It's the only way I can afford it, and even then it's a splurge.) In general, online stores tend to have pretty permissive return policies. Some even let you return in store so you don't have to pay the shipping back. The bargains are there, you just have to start early and be persistent.

Honestly, though, I'd just buy in a price range I can afford. If well fitted clothes you can afford aren't good enough for them, the organization isn't worth joining. Do you really want to go broke on clothes for recruitment and then find that you're feeling like you have to keep up with the Joneses for the rest of your active years? I spent most of my college years on a Target budget, and I know I personally would have felt really out of place in a chapter where Prada and Tiffany were considered vital for survival.

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

Originally Posted by sherbertlemons

I also find that Ross and Marshalls are great places to scout out bargains.

I went to Ross last weekend and they had some amazing items! I found this really cute polka dot tunic, and it looks amazing with jeans and heels. And it was only $7! I now like swear by that store. Definitely check it out!

[alum]

My D goes to a very small LAC with a spring recruitment. Many of the freshmen girls felt as if they were judged from Aug-January not just Rush Week. With that in mind, can you buy brandname outfits at TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Filene's Basement or at outlets? If you are at a school that dresses up for football games, you may need a lot of sundresses anyway. Look for sales early on throughout your last months at home. Even if it's not your primary summer job, perhaps you can add a weekend retail position so you can get an employee discount.

[VeniceIsSinking]

I haven't gone through recruitment yet, but I am the bargain master. I always have trendy, stylish clothes that fit, and are super cheap. I only splurge on jeans because I'm short and well, when you're short you have limited options.

As some other girls mentioned: Ross, TjMaxx, Marshall, Burlington Coat Factory, and Forever 21/Gadzooks are excellent places to get clothes. Ross usually has really great name brand shoes/purses for incredibly reasonable prices. Depending on what area you live in- you might have an H&M. H&M always has GREAT clothes, straight outta European fashion mags, at really low prices.

Also, don't be afraid to check out thrift stores and cosignment shops. You'll be suprised what you can find. If you're creatively inclined/a bit of a seamstress, thrift stores are great places to get an item that you can customize. I've made tons of awesome shirts and skirts based on some clothes found in Vogue, from peices I've found at thrift stores. Cosignment shops usually have newer items that are well taken care of at near thrift store prices. If you live in or near a community that is wealthy, I can pretty much guarantee you'll find lots of stellar name-brand stuff.

Happy shopping!

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by VeniceIsSinking

Depending on what area you live in- you might have an H&M. H&M always has GREAT clothes, straight outta European fashion mags, at really low prices.

MY FAVORITE PLACE EVER. I save up for when I travel to New York to go here. And the clearance racks at Anthropologie as mentioned above. If they would sell online, they would make a KILLING!