Old Letters - Page 2

DSTCHAOS · #16 01-30-2008, 07:25 PM

Good question. I do know that lettered sweatshirts, letterman jackets, and sweaters were worn in (and probably even before) the 1960s. They may've only worn these for certain types of events and it may also vary by campus or type of GLO.

It made me think back to when this old man (probably about 65-70 years old) came on campus during homecoming with his lettered sweatshirt on that was clearly old. I think it was Sigma Chi. A couple of students laughed at him. My Sorors and I were like

because when WE see older Greeks (and not just BGLOers) with letters on they get the utmost love and respect from us.

ladygreek · #17 01-30-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Good question. I do know that lettered sweatshirts, letterman jackets, and sweaters were worn in (and probably even before) the 1960s. They may've only worn these for certain types of events and it may also vary by campus or type of GLO.

It made me think back to when this old man (probably about 65-70 years old) came on campus during homecoming with his lettered sweatshirt on that was clearly old. I think it was Sigma Chi. A couple of students laughed at him. My Sorors and I were like

because when WE see older Greeks (and not just BGLOers) with letters on they get the utmost love and respect from us.

I wanted a letter sweater so badly, but could never afford it while in school. Then when I could as an adult, they were no longer worn.

I think the transition occured at the same time that high school and college students stopped wearing letterman sweaters and started wearing jackets.

ladygreek · #18 01-30-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttonz

I'm curious as to why this theme was chosen. Many people might find it offensive....I know I would!

I hope it's not because you are comparing WWII to Vietnam or Iraq.

DSTCHAOS · #19 01-30-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I wanted a letter sweater so badly, but could never afford it while in school. Then when I could as an adult, they were no longer worn.

I think the transition occured at the same time that high school and college students stopped wearing letterman sweaters and started wearing jackets.

They're back, to some extent.

At an HBCU homecoming a few years ago, there were Sorors singing circle songs with lettered sweaters. It was a line celebrating its 25th Deltaversary with lettered sweaters that they got made for homecoming. It was absolutely beautiful.

I may've even seen younger members doing the ol' school sweater thing. I had one passed down to me by a Soror who crossed in the '50s. I decided to put that in my non-wearable collection, though.

jmagnus · #20 01-31-2008, 12:50 AM

At my chapter, as an initiation gift the big brother gives his little a letter sweatshirt(usually a hoodie). In return, the little gives the big a paddle.

Leslie Anne · #21 01-31-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejazd

out of curiosity...When did "wearing letters" as we know it today come into fashion?

I'm not sure exactly when but it definitely was not in fashion in the 1940s. I have a lot of old yearbooks that I'm using for some research into particular groups. I've looked at the ones from the 40s and early 50s and letters simply weren't worn. The only minor exception seems to be during intramural sports.

I've found candid photos in those yearbooks with letters on houses, floats, plaques, etc. but the men in the photos are almost always wearing a coat and tie.

I have a few more yearbooks from that era that I still have to go through. I'll let you know if I find anything.

SNBullet · #22 01-31-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

I'm not sure exactly when but it definitely was not in fashion in the 1940s. I have a lot of old yearbooks that I'm using for some research into particular groups. I've looked at the ones from the 40s and early 50s and letters simply weren't worn. The only minor exception seems to be during intramural sports.

I've found candid photos in those yearbooks with letters on houses, floats, plaques, etc. but the men in the photos are almost always wearing a coat and tie.

I have a few more yearbooks from that era that I still have to go through. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Thats what i have found so far, simple black t shirts with letter for intramurals. I wanted to know if it was a local thing or widespread

honeychile · #23 01-31-2008, 02:50 PM

Pitt has put all of their old yearbooks (The Owl) online, and you can see Greeks year by year. Some of the pictures are a riot!

Enjoy!!

nittanyalum · #24 01-31-2008, 02:54 PM

^^^Wow, THAT is a serious undertaking on behalf of the university. Impressive.

skylark · #25 01-31-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejazd

out of curiosity...When did "wearing letters" as we know it today come into fashion? my parents were Greeks in the late 50s and they claim they never had the sweatshirts with letters as we do now. Both men and women had blazers with the crest. Women wore their pins on dresses and sweaters with skirts, never with pants. The sororities had sweatshirts with the crests and the name spelled out. My dad still wears his college class ring with the greek letters in the stone.

I'd love to hear a detailed answer/analysis of this, too. Where's oldu when you need him?

Tom Earp · #26 01-31-2008, 03:35 PM

Maybe the material and how letters were attached could be compared to the types of helments that the football team used.

Times and materials along with designs do change!

In the mid sixtys, the letters were printed on with a rubber type letters that after washing begin to fall of!

SthrnZeta · #27 01-31-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

Pitt has put all of their old yearbooks (The Owl) online, and you can see Greeks year by year. Some of the pictures are a riot!

Enjoy!!

Wow, that's really neat to look through

And I saw they had Beta Sigma Omicron there (some chapters were later absorbed by ZTA).

honeychile · #28 01-31-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

^^^Wow, THAT is a serious undertaking on behalf of the university. Impressive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

Wow, that's really neat to look through

And I saw they had Beta Sigma Omicron there (some chapters were later absorbed by ZTA).

When I have time, I just love to check those out! I can't believe how many sororities were at Pitt at one time or another - even if there were only about 20-30 in each one! I just wish there was a better explanation of where they lived, prior to the houses, and prior to moving to Amos Hall. I think that's when the number somewhat solidified at eleven. There are SO many sororities and fraternities that I've never, ever heard of before! Thanks to whomever sent me the link - I think kddani?

GeekyPenguin · #29 01-31-2008, 11:55 PM

http://digitalmarquette.cdmhost.com/HT/

Marquette also has all the issues of the Hilltop online. It's really neat - I looked up my mom!

LucyKKG · #30 02-01-2008, 03:10 AM

My school doesn't even have a yearbook. Or a football team. Ha! I wish we had traditions and school pride like other schools do. Our only traditions are protests and not showering.