'No Frumpy': Cornell Sorority Forbids American Apparel Leggings, etc.

[VandalSquirrel]

I am all for showing people a way to dress acceptably, though the language was a bit off. A decent pair of shoes and slacks are great to have, and even though I have a job and do the school gig on the side I dress nicer for class because it truly does help to look serious and professional. If I show up in a t-shirt with faded jeans and tennis shoes, how is any student supposed to take me seriously as a TA with any authority to assist them academically? Furthermore this semester I've gotten great treatment in a new department, which yes is based on my abilities, but I also believe on presenting myself as a put together adult with an air of capability.

Don't get me wrong I love an Idaho sweatshirt and jeans with Converse when I'm at home, but when I leave my house for campus I dress better than that.

[xomanadaxo]

At first I thought these were their everyday chapter standards and that there really were girls out there who follow the whole "on Wednesdays we wear pink" mentality, which is pretty horrifying. Having guidelines like this for recruitment isn't that strange though...when you only have 20ish minutes during some rounds to make a good impression, you want to make sure everyone looks their best. You don't want the PNM's lasting impression of your (otherwise perfectly groomed) chapter to be of one member's pink sequined tights

That being said...this is still a lot of the reason I hate recruitment. I know that it's important to look your best and make the best possible impression in the "real world," however the amount of time and effort spent on it during recruitment (as demonstrated by this seven page list) seems a little absurd. Besides, if a PNM judges my entire house because someone wore chandeliere earrings or didn't want to shell out the money for a set of acrylic nails (I know I'm not the only nail-biter out there!) just for recruitment, I'm not sure she would have fit in anyway! But maybe that's just my chapter...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by xomanadaxo

Besides, if a PNM judges my entire house because someone wore chandeliere earrings or didn't want to shell out the money for a set of acrylic nails (I know I'm not the only nail-biter out there!) just for recruitment, I'm not sure she would have fit in anyway! But maybe that's just my chapter...

I'm sure they don't have a problem with someone wearing chandelier earrings to the bar. (Because chandelier earrings rule) The problem is, not everyone can distinguish "nice for rush" from "nice for going out."

[agzg]

I wish sororities would ban American Apparel leggings FOR LIFE, not just for recruitment.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by agzg

I wish sororities would ban American Apparel leggings FOR LIFE, not just for recruitment.

Amen!

Should we go to Convention and try to get this passed?

[chickenoodle]

Originally Posted by agzg

I wish sororities would ban American Apparel leggings FOR LIFE, not just for recruitment.

I feel that AA should be banned from life, sorority or not.

I may not be in a sorority but I wholeheartedly agree with this recruitment's list. It's about image. You want to put your best foot forward and represent the type of members you want to obtain. I'm not suggesting "faking it," but polishing and refining your chapter's style and image. Even my chapter did it this year and we're co-ed.


(There's a lot of Econ majors on that Exec board... )

[Low C Sharp]

My college issues instructions for what to wear to real job interviews in corporate America, and it was a lot shorter and simpler than this. For rush, it's not simply a matter of looking professional and appropriate. For this chapter, it's obviously also a matter of looking hip, cool, desirable, dewy, pretty, etc. -- the makeup is there so that you look like someone PNMs would "die to hang out with." I'm not saying that that has to change, but...this isn't really like instructing people for a job interview. Unless you're interviewing to be a makeup artist. It's a lot more like speed dating.
________
Prilosec lawyer

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

My college issues instructions for what to wear to real job interviews in corporate America, and it was a lot shorter and simpler than this. For rush, it's not simply a matter of looking professional and appropriate. For this chapter, it's obviously also a matter of looking hip, cool, desirable, dewy, pretty, etc. -- the makeup is there so that you look like someone PNMs would "die to hang out with." I'm not saying that that has to change, but...this isn't really like instructing people for a job interview. Unless you're interviewing to be a makeup artist. It's a lot more like speed dating.

A couple of years ago, the older sister of a girl I knew who was about to go through recruitment explained to her that it was kind of like flirting with other girls. And it sort of is.

ETA: This is kind of out of control with the number of modifiers. My apologies

[AOEforme]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

A couple of years ago, the older sister of a girl I knew who was about to go through recruitment explained to her that it was kind of like flirting with other girls. And it sort of is.

ETA: This is kind of out of control with the number of modifiers. My apologies

That analogy is actually a really good one. I want to use it with my chapter, except I'm afraid they might take it as "Let's wear ho-boots and fake eyelashes!". Generally, we've never had a problem with dress at recruitment, although we did have to verbally say "No sweatpants" at informal recruitment. Most of the girls are awesome about dressing professional.

As my choir teacher used to say, "Classy not sassy!"

[agzg]

I was never too good at flirting - I'm glad I spent most of my formal recruitments as a collegian as a Rho Gamma.

[minDyG]

I pretty much love all of the rules, and the style with which the recruitment chair presents them.

I can't stand that, in the comments, some idiot says "Pi Phi isn't even a good sorority at Cornell," as if that even means anything. What. A. Moron.

[chickenoodle]

Originally Posted by minDyG

I pretty much love all of the rules, and the style with which the recruitment chair presents them.

I can't stand that, in the comments, some idiot says "Pi Phi isn't even a good sorority at Cornell," as if that even means anything. What. A. Moron.

I agree with you. I don't have any experience with sorority recruitment (except what I've learned from hanging out here), but even I understood the fundamental message. The media has blown the whole thing out of proportion.

[Aphigal]

Originally Posted by minDyG

I pretty much love all of the rules, and the style with which the recruitment chair presents them.

I can't stand that, in the comments, some idiot says "Pi Phi isn't even a good sorority at Cornell," as if that even means anything. What. A. Moron.

1. it shows if you print out stuff like that don't put your chapter on it.
(cause we all do it in some way shape of form it may not be that specific...and those who don't should probably consider it)

2. Pi Phi is top rushing chapter at Cornell...top quartile for sure.
it will be interesting to see what if anything happens to their rush strength (and leggings)

[Gusteau]

Well, we can be sure that no Cornell PNM is going to walk into Pi Phi wearing ugly leggings, fuck me pumps, or anything satin SO HELP THEM GOD!

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by Gusteau

Well, we can be sure that no Cornell PNM is going to walk into Pi Phi wearing ugly leggings, fuck me pumps, or anything satin SO HELP THEM GOD!

Absolutely. If I had seen a list like this when I was a PNM, I would've felt like I had a serious advantage over PNMs who hadn't seen such a list. If you already know how the sisters are expected to dress, and you dress to meet those expectations, you're already one step ahead.