outfit question

[FleurGirl]

Originally Posted by PNM128

I'm rushing at a Georgia this Fall and I plan on wearing dresses for most of the rounds, but I was told to stick to plain dresses. Are patterns a no no?

I don't think patterns in general are a no-no, but sometimes print dresses can look less formal or polished than a solid color. When you're wearing a pattern, it's also very easy to over-accessorize and end up looking silly instead of put together. I think the Coco Chanel rule (take off one accessory before leaving home) goes double when you're wearing a print. I don't think a pattern would be a problem in earlier rounds, but maybe stick to solids for the dressier nights.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by FleurGirl

I don't think patterns in general are a no-no, but sometimes print dresses can look less formal or polished than a solid color. When you're wearing a pattern, it's also very easy to over-accessorize and end up looking silly instead of put together. I think the Coco Chanel rule (take off one accessory before leaving home) goes double when you're wearing a print. I don't think a pattern would be a problem in earlier rounds, but maybe stick to solids for the dressier nights.

One of my colleagues is also a Gamma Phi. She found her old "pledge manual" materials while helping her mom de-clutter. They were written in 1968. She brought them in and we got a real kick out of this section on Personal Appearance and Manners:

Edna Bryte Bishop, educational director for the Advance Pattern Company, and the originator of the Bishop Method of clothing construction, devised a point system for dressing smartly. A well-dressed woman does not wear more than 10 points for work or daytime wear, and she does not wear more than 15 points for dress or evening wear. The following table shows how the points add up.

Dress/Outfit
one color 1 pt.
print or 2 colors 2 pts.
2-piece 2 pts.
contrasting collar or belt 1 pt.
any trim, bows, etc. 1 pt. each
contrasting buttons 1 pt.
scarf 1 pt.

Jewelry
1 pt. each for necklace, bracelet, pin, and earrings
(I think some of the bold, chunky jewelry in style now could go for 2 pts.)

Shoes
Plain 1 pt.
Others 2 pts.

Purse (but you probably have to leave that at the door, so maybe it won't count)
Plain 1 pt.
Elaborate 2 pts. (I'm thinking Vera Bradley prints might go for 3)

I'll skip the gloves and hat point values...I don't think any PNMs are wearing hats nowadays.

You may think that this is old-fashioned and out of date, but it actually works. We've tried it out repeatedly on another one of our colleagues who loves lots of jewelry, big brooches, bright colors and prints, print-framed glasses, etc. (that reminds me...better add a point for glasses) One of us will just say "12" or "16". I admit it's very snarky and immature of us to do this, but she's a back-stabbing gossiper, so we don't feel too guilty about our private joke.