Initiation Dress Ideas

[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.

[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.

[WCsweet<3]

I'm with AlphaFrog. All the dresses that look ridiculously short, would probably hit my knees... However on the other hand, dresses that don't look low cut tend to dip a bit more on women who are bigger up top. So as always one must try the dress on.

Here are some dresses from Express. While they might not look white, they are actually. I have one of these dresses and it is white. Not sure why it looks off.

http://www.express.com/eyelet-rouched-sleeveless-dress-35937-22/control/page/5/show/3/index.pro

Nordstrom:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-...resultback=535

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-ri...esultback=1221

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-ri...esultback=2319

H&M has had a bunch recently as well. However, they do not have an online catalog for the US.

[PhoenixAzul]

Here's a BUNCH from Eshakti.com. The greatest thing about ordering from there is that they will pretty much alter any dress to suit your needs (add sleeves, make it knee length or ankle length or ___length) and you can have it basically custom tailored to your body. I've ordered one dress from them and I'm really happy with it. It isn't anything SUPER, but it's a well fitting wrap dress that I regularly wear to work. Value for money and what have you. So! Here we go:

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...L0021659&pcat=

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0020197

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0021599

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0021599

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...hes&cate=solid dresses&productid=CL0019419

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.a...ctid=CL0019334

[angels&angles]

We weren't allowed to wear skirt/shirt combos for Initiation. It was okay for Pledging (since, as you mentioned, there isn't much time for shopping), as was off-white, but not at all for Initiation.

[victoriana]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

Here are a couple more links to some white dresses I liked:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-al...ttlewhitedress
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults

I realize some of these dresses might show a little too much shoulder, but it's not hard to find a cute little white shrug or cardi to go over the top.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by victoriana

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

That dress would be totally fine in AOII. Our goal is to be in white and not flashy. That covers what it should and is not distracting. Ritual is not about being cute. If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

[victoriana]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

I suppose if that was the case, it would be alright, as long as you looked polished and wore the right undergarments.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by victoriana

I suppose if that was the case, it would be alright, as long as you looked polished and wore the right undergarments.

Which brings us to........ WEAR FLESH TONED UNDERGARMENTS! NOT WHITE!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by victoriana

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your recommendation of the LL Bean dress. It's pretty much shapeless, which reminds me of pajamas or a pillowcase. It needs some sort of a ribbon or belt around the waist to be figure flattering. While linen is a very comfortable and breathable fabric, it tends to look overly casual unless it's patterned just the right way. Unfortunately, I don't think this is quite dressy enough. Wearing something like that for ritual, in my chapter, would be unacceptable. I guess it's a matter of what your individual chapter does, but that's just my two cents.

Here are a couple more links to some white dresses I liked:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...xx.esn_results
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-al...ttlewhitedress
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...=searchresults

I realize some of these dresses might show a little too much shoulder, but it's not hard to find a cute little white shrug or cardi to go over the top.

I frankly have no idea of the standards of other groups, my point was to suggest something affordable, easy care, and no issues with having to find a second piece like a white cardigan or having cleavage issues. I'd rather see every woman in a simple linen shift than crazy ass lace and satin wedding dresses or trying to cover up with shawls and inappropriate cardigans.

If a sister came to me with any of your suggestions we'd have sleeve issues and on some women, cleavage and length issues. As we both said it can be remedied but sometimes it is just easier to have a dress that is completely good to go and not have to keep track of the other pieces. Also, dry cleaning is a pain and an extra cost as well as requiring some planning that busy collegians (and alumnae) may choose to avoid.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

That dress would be totally fine in AOII. Our goal is to be in white and not flashy. That covers what it should and is not distracting. Ritual is not about being cute. If that is all you can find that fits right, the LL Bean dress is perfectly fine.

Being "cute" during initiation or ritual never crossed my mind. One because I am always cute no matter what I wear, and second this is a private time with my sisters. At schools where there is a tradition of presentations or being in public in white, maybe that would be an issue, but finding an affordable white dress is hard and my suggestion covers women who may have a hard time due to size or height.

I am considering buying one because my sister's ivory lace and chiffon wedding dress I currently wear has beading that is slowly coming off and is so heavy and long I have to wear heels and I get hot and tired. It also doesn't have any depth on the neckline so my no torso having self wouldn't have to get it taken up to keep my bodacious tatas appropriate.

Someone should just start a company that specializes in white (or other approved colors) dresses where people pick what they need and women get them made with approved standards by their I/HQ. Send in your measurements, identify your organization, get a dress and not have to worry. Imagine the discounts if whole pledge classes and campuses are purchasing. They could be sufficiently lined and made with fabric that isn't inappropriate (sequins and stretch velvet, can't make that up!), and there could still be allowance for individual variation with necklines, sleeves, waist, and so on.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

Which brings us to........ WEAR FLESH TONED UNDERGARMENTS! NOT WHITE!

True, but white undergarments are better than printed, colored, or none at all.

I also need to say that silver, glitter, and Lucite or other plastic/see through shoes may not be the best or even an allowed choice of footwear with initiation dresses. Platform and stilletos can make a girl in a long gown a juggernaut of death on a staircase. I say these things because I've seen them and light up plastic platform with a gold heel have a time and a place and initiation/ritual isn't one of them.

I haven't been in a Payless shoe store in years but according to some "show girls" I know they get dyeable shoes to match their gowns over the internet or in person from Payless and those shoes are already white so it saves time and they come up to a 12 and the shipping is free. It used to be dyeables but now they call them "unforgettable moments" and their website is www.unforgettablemoments.com if you happen to be a "show girl" or just a regular lady needing white shoes after labor day.