Recruitment Shopping

[violetpretty]

I don't know why you are asking for recommendations of stores. Check your campus or ask your Rho Gamma how dressy each event is, and wear something to that effect that is your style. If a chapter only likes you because you have a Lilly dress, is that chapter actually a good fit for you? Not to pick on Lilly, because if that is your style, then you should wear it. Do you want to feel like you have to constantly keep up with certain labels and stores in order to fit in with a group of women who will be your sisters?

I will agree with previous posters that your outfits should be tasteful and flattering, but I don't think you should buy clothes from a store that you normally wouldn't for a similarly dressy event.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I don't know why you are asking for recommendations of stores. Check your campus or ask your Rho Gamma how dressy each event is, and wear something to that effect that is your style. If a chapter only likes you because you have a Lilly dress, is that chapter actually a good fit for you? Not to pick on Lilly, because if that is your style, then you should wear it. Do you want to feel like you have to constantly keep up with certain labels and stores in order to fit in with a group of women who will be your sisters?

I will agree with previous posters that your outfits should be tasteful and flattering, but I don't think you should buy clothes from a store that you normally wouldn't for a similarly dressy event.

I agree so far as you can actually get away with it and still join if joining is your goal.

But you'd be so much better off taking the advice of people currently in groups at your campus rather than GCers, who although we've got the best of intentions and love looking at pictures of cute rush clothes, only really know things within our direct experience for the most part.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I will agree with previous posters that your outfits should be tasteful and flattering, but I don't think you should buy clothes from a store that you normally wouldn't for a similarly dressy event.

I would agree, except if you are rushing in a different part of the country than where you're from.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Lilxcutie88

american eagle has great clothes i personally think for sorority girls. were actually have a HUGE sale, and were about to get new stuff for the fall, so everything right now is about60% off u might want to check it out. I work there and its funny most the girls there are in sororities

Maybe at some places some of the clothes would be ok for first or second rounds, but in general, most of the stuff there is far too casual for formal rush.

[adpiucf]

Wherever you go to school, recruitment gets progressively dressier with each round.

I'd first look at what your school recommends for attire for each day. Call the office of Greek Life, or check out their web site (sometimes they feature What To Wear slideshows).

Next, look through your closet and see what you may already have that is appropriate. Then make a list of whatever items you need. Using your university's What To Wear recommendations as your guide, buy any remaining clothing and shoes.

Break in your shoes-- you will be walking and standing a lot. Also remember to keep any skirt lengths modest-- you may be sitting on the floor at some of these events.

Keep cleavage, tummy, thighs and butts tucked in-- sorority recruitment isn't the venue to "let it all hang out"

[ClassicBeauty]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I don't know why you are asking for recommendations of stores. Check your campus or ask your Rho Gamma how dressy each event is, and wear something to that effect that is your style. If a chapter only likes you because you have a Lilly dress, is that chapter actually a good fit for you? Not to pick on Lilly, because if that is your style, then you should wear it. Do you want to feel like you have to constantly keep up with certain labels and stores in order to fit in with a group of women who will be your sisters?

I will agree with previous posters that your outfits should be tasteful and flattering, but I don't think you should buy clothes from a store that you normally wouldn't for a similarly dressy event.

I was asking for recs of stores just so I can get an idea of where to shop. My head went blank when I was starting to think of places to start looking online for outfits. I wish I could ask my Rho Gamma, but I dont get to meet her until the night of the first party haha.

I'm going to a pretty competitive school in the south (well, I think it's considered the south). I just wanted to know if I should go out of my way to buy nicer sundresses. I think I already have my pref dress, but I'm not sure if the color is eyecatching enough. I know it's recommended to buy a dress with color to it.

Oh, and for the first day of rush, they recommend wearing shorts instead of a skirt because of the whole flashing issue. I have these nice navy ralph lauren shorts, but what if they don't match the recruitment shirt I'm given? Should I buy a pair of khaki shorts too, just to be safe? (I dont really like denim).

[MaggieXi]

If your campus states that shorts are ok for first round, navy, khaki, white or khaki-green are always a good standby and better than denim. You can usually find nicer shorts at jcrew, banana republic or ann taylor. They usually have "classic" looking shorts.

And if you are thinking of wearing sandals as footwear, you might want to check out that new anti-blister stuff from Bandaid. I use it when I get new summer shoes and it really keeps the blisters away!!!

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ClassicBeauty

Oh, and for the first day of rush, they recommend wearing shorts instead of a skirt because of the whole flashing issue. I have these nice navy ralph lauren shorts, but what if they don't match the recruitment shirt I'm given? Should I buy a pair of khaki shorts too, just to be safe? (I dont really like denim).

Unless your rush tees are midnight black or an odd shade of darker blue, navy shorts should go just fine. If your shirts are black (which I would seriously doubt) please don't wear navy shorts. Also, please don't wear black (or navy, unless it's the exact shade) shoes with your navy shorts. Just say no to bruisewear.

[dgdramadawg]

I really recommend New York and Company for recruitment shopping. I have purchased sundresses there as well as dressier dresses, slacks, and shorts... I could probably dress someone to go through recruitment with just the NYandCo stuff in my closet! Regardless of your style and your campus' recruitment dress suggestions, you could probably find something there. I love it because the clothes look great on people of varying body types.

[PeppyGPhiB]

What is New York and Company? Is it a southern store?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

What is New York and Company? Is it a southern store?

It's not exclusively Southern, we have them here in Ohio.

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

What is New York and Company? Is it a southern store?

It used to be called Lerner NY when I shopped there in MA. Maybe that's what it's still called in some locations? Anyway, it's a national brand and I highly recommend it.

[LOVEinZTA]

I second on NY and Co - just got my khaki shorts for open houses there for $15! They're conservative and rush appropriate but cute! AND they have a big sale going on right now.

[AnatraAmore]

We have lots of NY and Co stores here in MA now! I love that store - they always seem to have petite clothes that actually fit!

[Designergal3]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

If you're rushing anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon, Lilly is always a good choice.

At the same time, most likely if you're rushing a northern school, Lilly would be completely out of place other than daytime prefs. it'd be completely too dressy. I think its a miracle to ever see a girl in a dress here in the north.

Seems like the awful legging trend is the thing up here (slobby chic in my opinion). Leggings show way too much of your body than anyone really EVER needs to see.