Opinions for big SEC school

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by hotpink&pearls

Hi all. I've done a lot of searching and reading back on old topics posted and WOW, they have been so incredibly helpful! I can't say enough about the amount of great advice I have discovered here (nerd moment: I may have totally jotted down some notes so I don't forget over the next *crazy* week!)

I'll be a freshman rushing at a big SEC school very soon, and I am so excited. I'm not from the south (try somewhere between California and Oklahoma) and where I'm from rush is definitely not a big deal. I'm not a legacy anywhere, but luckily I've been able to secure recs for all of the sororities on my campus, although many came from my city's Panhellenic alumni group. (Question One: Is that okay? Are those 'not-as-good recs because I did not personally ever meet the woman writing it? For many sororities, it was the only way I was able to secure a rec.)

While my school posts a great 'What To Wear' guide that includes photos galore, I'm the planner type, and was hoping to maybe ask a few questions here about the outfits I have planned for each day. I hope this is okay!

Open Houses/Ice Water Teas
http://i25.tinypic.com/w02f0n.jpg
http://tinypic.com/r/23iid0i/3
Question Two: I love Lilly Pulitzer. Is it going to possibly make the wrong impression wearing it the very first day though? Are these dressy enough/too dressy?

[b] Philanthropy[b]
(The t-shirts I chose are just similar colors to ours, I don't have the ones we'll wear yet obviously)
http://i25.tinypic.com/rtkig6.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/dmejw1.jpg
Question Three: Are bows too little-kid? I love wearing hair bows, but I'm afraid girls will think I'm still channeling 3rd grade.

Skit Day
http://i30.tinypic.com/kcey4y.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/3509bue.jpg
Question Four: Formal enough for your typical SEC skit day? Which one of these would be better, if either?

Pref Day
http://i31.tinypic.com/rrqu5e.jpg

Final Question: Is there a consensus/opinion on acrylic, fake nails? Obviously cut short and kept in a clean french manicure. I tend to wear them, but I'm not sure of the opinion of them down South, if it's more of a 'those are trashy looking because they're fake' or if it's a do-as-you-please, as long as it's tasteful? Wow, that was a mouthful, sorry!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and help settle my nerves! Overall, I am just very excited to go in with an open mind because with the number of sororities on my campus, I am confident with the right preparation I will find where I belong. I think my nerves come more from the move-halfway-across-the-country part more than anything right now.

The only "critique" I have is that I wouldn't wear the same shoes for more than one day. Just find another pair of flips similar to the silver ones, but different enough to stand out. The second skit outfit is cuter IMO, but the first one would be fine, I think. If you're worried about it being dressy enough, just wear some nude heels instead of the white flips. And if it were me, for pref I'd get shoes with color (because all black can blend in) or get earrings/a bracelet with color if you do wear black shoes.
BCBG Fatima
These are super classy and gorgeous...and make the outfit a little more noticeable without being "out there". (And since you said you're 5'...platform bottoms can help. I'm 5'4" and LOVE the platform soles.)
BCBG Katya
Again, a little more noticeable than all black, but not flashy.
Jessica Simpson Josette
These are flashy, but I have a thing for red shoes with a black dress.
Vince Camuto Misty's
Only if you're daring...but these shoes with that dress could be pretty kickass.

Of course if you choose flashy shoes, stick with the pearl accessories. If you go with a plain black shoe you can make yourself more memorable with accessories like these:
In red or yellow
(If you pick something that bright I wouldn't wear a bracelet)
Traditional but visible
These are still pearls, but show up more than plain studs. They'd be awesome with the right cocktail ring.

As for bows...with a t-shirt, they can be cute. The people that pull them off without channeling 3rd grader do it by making sure everything else about them looks age appropriate. (Pick sophisticated shoes, wear enough make up to look polished but not so much you look like you're playing dress up, have your nails done, etc.)

French tipped fake nails at the right length will be fine. I used to wear them during recruitment, too, because my nails are brittle no matter what I do and that was the only way to guarantee they'd look perfect for a week straight. Good luck, especially with the move! Remember how hot it will be for recruitment...bring a tote bag with flip flops (when you wear heels), some shine blotting sheets, deodorant if you're a sweater (I am, I'll admit it...I always carried some), a little powder for touch ups if you wear it, a brush, and some breath freshners (NOT gum). Also wear water proof make up!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

The only "critique" I have is that I wouldn't wear the same shoes for more than one day.

[33girl]

Well, considering they're going to be on their feet so much, it really is better to not wear the same shoes two days in a row, to let the shoes breathe. Mom33 told me so. Whether that's what Alumiyum was thinking or whether it was for the OMG DO NOT REPEAT reason, she would have to say.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, considering they're going to be on their feet so much, it really is better to not wear the same shoes two days in a row, to let the shoes breathe. Mom33 told me so. Whether that's what Alumiyum was thinking or whether it was for the OMG DO NOT REPEAT reason, she would have to say.

Both. Y'all can roll your eyes all you want, but anyone who thinks this would go unnoticed isn't being truthful with themselves. Whether it would matter or not surely depends on the group. I seriously doubt on my campus (very laid back recruitment and not competitive) it would matter. But on more competitive campuses, it might.

I don't wear the same shoes two days in a row (and I mean shoes that actually go with an outfit, not running shoes or something) period. It's like wearing the same shirt two days in a row.

(And yes, I've had to run a PNM back to her dorm to change shoes because for some reason she didn't realize how bad her feet smelled...it was an awkward conversation, but better to sound like a bitch than to let her go to a party smelling like man feet. That's just as bad as showing up with horrible BO.)

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I don't wear the same shoes two days in a row (and I mean shoes that actually go with an outfit, not running shoes or something) period. It's like wearing the same shirt two days in a row.

That's a personal preference. We all have preferences that differ from those of others.

As for SEC recruitment outfit advice, I understand that people are watching what the young ladies are wearing because that's part of the first impression. I agree with 33girl about letting shoes breathe when you're walking and standing a lot. I just hope someone wouldn't be judged if they chose not to let their shoes breathe, as long as her feet and shoes don't stink.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That's a personal preference. We all have preferences that differ from those of others.

As for SEC recruitment outfit advice, I understand that people are watching what the young ladies are wearing because that's part of the first impression. I agree with 33girl about letting shoes breathe when you're walking and standing a lot. I just hope someone wouldn't be judged if they chose not to let their shoes breathe, as long as her feet and shoes don't stink.

I'm sure we all hope PNM's are never judged by their outward appearance, but it isn't helpful to act as though that can't or won't happen. It might.

In this case an easy solution would be to run to Target or TJMaxx and find a $15 pair of shoes to wear in between. Presto, cheap solution.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I'm sure we all hope PNM's are never judged by their outward appearance, but it isn't helpful to act as though that can't or won't happen. It might.

Reading all of these recruitment outfit threads made me conclude that we don't all hope PNMs are never judged by their outward appearance.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Both. Y'all can roll your eyes all you want, but anyone who thinks this would go unnoticed isn't being truthful with themselves. Whether it would matter or not surely depends on the group. I seriously doubt on my campus (very laid back recruitment and not competitive) it would matter. But on more competitive campuses, it might.

No one on my campus would have noticed the shoes unless they were bright red, or gold hooker heels or something that stood out. I don't think that is about how competitive the campus is, but about how image focused the recruitment is.

And I don't want to hide "image-focused" behind "competitive."

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

No one on my campus would have noticed the shoes unless they were bright red, or gold hooker heels or something that stood out. I don't think that is about how competitive the campus is, but about how image focused the recruitment is.

And I don't want to hide "image-focused" behind "competitive."

Regardless of semantics, there are some places where that will matter. It doesn't matter whether or not it's shallow, it's still a possibility. (And "image-focused" can be part of "competitive". )

I guess I don't see what the big deal is when it's easy to avoid the possibility of shoes being an issue. No one would tell her to wear the same polo two days in a row. Same thing. Just wear something different. No big.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Regardless of semantics, there are some places where that will matter. It doesn't matter whether or not it's shallow, it's still a possibility. (And "image-focused" can be part of "competitive". )

I guess I don't see what the big deal is when it's easy to avoid the possibility of shoes being an issue. No one would tell her to wear the same polo two days in a row. Same thing. Just wear something different. No big.

Of course it's possible, but the shallow part - i was being nice - is independent of the competitive part.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I guess I don't see what the big deal is when it's easy to avoid the possibility of shoes being an issue. No one would tell her to wear the same polo two days in a row. Same thing. Just wear something different. No big.

You assume that everyone compares wearing the same shoes to wearing the same shirt. As I said, that's a personal preference that not everyone shares.

Overall, I understand what you mean in your posts because this is an SEC recruitment for which many of the actives are making their "competitive" recruitment an "image-based" one. None of us can change that from the outside looking in.