Initiation Dress Ideas

[FSUZeta]

i do believe that most sororities that require a white dress for rituals, require it to be white-not off-white, no colored trim, and of modest design(meaning not too short and often the dress needs to have sleeves and not be too low cut).

i was in a super target yesterday and saw a cute white dress. it had short sleeves and appeared to be a wrap dress-i couldn't help but think,"that would make a good ritual dress".

[carnation]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

i do believe that most sororities that require a white dress for rituals, require it to be white-not off-white, no colored trim, and of modest design(meaning not too short and often the dress needs to have sleeves and not be too low cut).

i was in a super target yesterday and saw a cute white dress. it had short sleeves and appeared to be a wrap dress-i couldn't help but think,"that would make a good ritual dress".

Haha, I'll never recover from that after buying clothes for 6 rushes in 7 years. Last week after a trip to the mall, I emailed a relative who's rushing this fall and urged her to get her white dress now!

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by carnation

Haha, I'll never recover from that after buying clothes for 6 rushes in 7 years. Last week after a trip to the mall, I emailed a relative who's rushing this fall and urged her to get her white dress now!

i know, right? i will probably be 80 years old still spotting white dresses!!

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

i do believe that most sororities that require a white dress for rituals, require it to be white-not off-white, no colored trim, and of modest design(meaning not too short and often the dress needs to have sleeves and not be too low cut).

Phi Mu's Pledging ceremony requires that all members wear pastel, with white or off-white being the preferred color. I think that's pretty much because there are usually only a few days between when girls are given bids and when Pledging is held, so it's easier for them to find something to wear that's pastel. Initiation, however, requires white or off-white, even if it's only a slip (does anyone actually wear slips anymore outside of Ritual?).

One of my favorite stores is White House | Black Market, and they usually have some white dresses (and SKIRTS! Don't forget that is usually an option, too!) available. This one is my personal favorite of their current styles, but they also have a few nice ones on clearance, too. (Here, here, here, and here.) And, I can tell you from experience, their clothing almost always fits and flatters me, and I'm a bit of a teapot--a short and stout size 12. Hope you find something cute!




And, as a side note... I seem to remember being taught growing up that, if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. Seems we all need a little reminder of that once in a while.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by steelerbear

Phi Mu's Pledging ceremony requires that all members wear pastel, with white or off-white being the preferred color. I think that's pretty much because there are usually only a few days between when girls are given bids and when Pledging is held, so it's easier for them to find something to wear that's pastel. Initiation, however, requires white or off-white, even if it's only a slip (does anyone actually wear slips anymore outside of Ritual?).

This differs by chapter, because it was not our custom. But I think the point you are making is a good one: you can't buy your pledging/initiation dresses until you know what is required.

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

This differs by chapter, because it was not our custom. But I think the point you are making is a good one: you can't buy your pledging/initiation dresses until you know what is required.

If you're a Phi Mu (sorry; I can't tell from your screen name and I don't post often enough to know), I guarantee you it doesn't vary from chapter to chapter. The guidelines are set forth in The Ritual. Many chapters have customs or traditions, but The Ritual always has the final say. For instance: One of our local chapters always used to wear white for the Founders' Day ceremony, until one year they finally decided to join the alumnae and discovered they could wear ANYTHING so long as it was badge appropriate (which is described in the Bylaws). Usually those customs stem from one person not knowing any better and forcing their inexperience on others.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by steelerbear

If you're a Phi Mu (sorry; I can't tell from your screen name and I don't post often enough to know), I guarantee you it doesn't vary from chapter to chapter. The guidelines are set forth in The Ritual. Many chapters have customs or traditions, but The Ritual always has the final say. For instance: One of our local chapters always used to wear white for the Founders' Day ceremony, until one year they finally decided to join the alumnae and discovered they could wear ANYTHING so long as it was badge appropriate (which is described in the Bylaws). Usually those customs stem from one person not knowing any better and forcing their inexperience on others.

I am a Phi Mu, and I am not going to talk about ritual on the board, except to say that my chapter did not require what you are claiming we required.

[VandalSquirrel]

This may or may not work for length, but L.L. Bean has a white washable linen dress that comes in misses, and women's plus sizes in regular and petite lengths. It is kind of a shift dress, and yeah, linen after Labor Day may give some people the vapors, but for $49.50 it seems like a good deal. Also linen is cooler and in a crowded room full of women that may be a bonus. It allegedly comes to the knee (though that varies for each person) and has short cap sleeves. It can be washed and dried in a regular washer and dryer and LL Bean is great about returns and guarantees their products.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68023?feat=506213-GN2

Land's End has a white dress as well that is at least knee length but has no sleeves. It has sold out in quite a few sizes but is real cute. They are also great about returns, they can be done in a Sears store.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/EyeletDre...s&origin=index


Just don't forget appropriate undergarments like a slip, I'M SERIOUS

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by steelerbear

Phi Mu's Pledging ceremony requires that all members wear pastel, with white or off-white being the preferred color. I think that's pretty much because there are usually only a few days between when girls are given bids and when Pledging is held, so it's easier for them to find something to wear that's pastel. Initiation, however, requires white or off-white, even if it's only a slip (does anyone actually wear slips anymore outside of Ritual?).

One of my favorite stores is White House | Black Market, and they usually have some white dresses (and SKIRTS! Don't forget that is usually an option, too!) available. This one is my personal favorite of their current styles, but they also have a few nice ones on clearance, too. (Here, here, here, and here.) And, I can tell you from experience, their clothing almost always fits and flatters me, and I'm a bit of a teapot--a short and stout size 12. Hope you find something cute!




And, as a side note... I seem to remember being taught growing up that, if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. Seems we all need a little reminder of that once in a while.

thanks! that is why i said "most". i do not say for sure if i don't know for sure.