Pref dress! (not normal question) - Page 2

MaryPoppins · #1 04-12-2012, 10:33 AM

swerve/
As a family law litigator, I used to tell folks to dress for a court hearing/trial like they "were going to Church." As a high church Episcopalian this seemed to be perfectly straight forward description from my apparently narrow point of view. Then one day, a divorce client showed up for trial in worn jeans, running shoes, and a HOODIE in a camoflauge pattern that included olive drab and pink splotches. Now I tell my clients to dress as if they were attending their FAVORITE grandmother's funeral.
/end swerve

AlphaFrog · #2 04-12-2012, 10:43 AM

At my church we have four ushers. Our pastor requests that they coordinate and one wear a suit, one wear jeans, and the other two somewhere between (khakis, polos, sundresses, capris, etc). This way, whenever someone new comes to our church, they'll feel appropriately dressed whatever they are wearing. While I generally dress nicer for church than work, I still like this sentiment. I still don't like the two women who let their kids come in ripped WWE Undertaker tshirts and other ridiculous graphic tshirts).

KDCat · #3 04-12-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNM1111

Hi I'm going to be rushing next year and our pref night is divided into two days so I need two dresses! It's not like the normal pref it says to wear a dress that you would wear to church... I've never worn a dress to church, usually in my uniform for some sport. It also says that semi formal or cocktail dresses are too formal. I have a dress from J. Crew that I think I'm going to wear but does anyone else have any suggestions! Anything will help! I have a dress from vineyard vines I'm wearing for graduation but I'm worried it will be too informal.

WhiteDaisy128 put together a bunch of suggestions a couple of years ago. It's a great thread:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ght=whitedaisy

Many years ago, I wore my graduation dress for pref. It was pretty formal, though -below the knee, short sleeves, high collar. To me "wear a dress that you would wear to church" means a day dress that is not too short (at the knee or longer), not too low cut, and has sleeves and a back. (No straps. No tubetop looking tops. It's sleeveless the shoulder straps should be at least two-three inches wide. No one shoulder dresses. No halter tops.)

If you look at that thread, look at the outfits labeled "skit night" on the first page. They would probably work for you. (It sounds like your school has a less formal pref night than other places do.)

You might also want to check with your school's Panhel and see if they publish a style guide for recruitment. It's really your best bet. Or search Greek Chat for threads about recruitment at your school.

PNM1111 · #4 04-12-2012, 11:43 AM

Thank you everyone! I guess I'm gonna have to rethink cause all the dresses I was considering were strapless, but not low cut. I appreciate everyone's help and the links. I guess when I searched I may not have been specific enough or read far enough. I do have a little bit of senioritis! hahaha

AlphaFrog · #5 04-12-2012, 12:29 PM

There's also the option of wearing a cardigan over the strapless. BUT do not, do not, do NOT wear a strapless if you cannot refrain from pulling on the top every 5 minutes. There's not much less attractive in a formal situation than watching some girl constantly rearranging her assets.

DeltaBetaBaby · #6 04-12-2012, 03:03 PM

I'm obsessed with Rent The Runway, and you can get a deal on two dresses for the same week. I agree with the above posters that you can probably get one dress and wear it both nights, but if you really feel you need two, look into RTR.

KDCat · #7 04-13-2012, 05:31 PM

You can get more ideas here:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=125180

You'll need to gauge your school's level of "dressy," but there's something there for everyone.

BAckbOwlsgIrl · #8 04-13-2012, 06:51 PM

I like the idea of spaghetti straps instead of strapless dresses. A lot of dresses have detachable spaghetti straps that you can adjust.

Like someone said above wear a cardigan.
I really like the idea of bolero or a nice cropped dinner jacket or shrug.

DubaiSis · #9 04-14-2012, 06:33 AM

I think a strapless dress that fits PERFECTLY is a perfectly acceptable day dress/sundress option. It shouldn't show cleavage (if it's gonna hold the girls in it's gonna need some coverage), and it shouldn't slip. If it does you either are wearing it too tight or are wearing incorrect or badly fitted undergarments. Starting college is a perfect time to get a REAL bra fitting. Go somewhere good (Nordstrom has developed a reputation of having well-qualified lingerie saleswomen), and then buy the size and shape (underwire, haul em up and move em out, wear em low, wear em high) they recommend.

And above the knee is fine, just so it's not WAY above the knee. Stand up and sit down in front a mirror a couple times. If you have to do a dance to keep from showing the goods, it's too short.

*** and "wear em low" is not an option. If you're not used to it "wear em high" can feel very odd, but will probably look best.

KDCat · #10 04-14-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think a strapless dress that fits PERFECTLY is a perfectly acceptable day dress/sundress option. It shouldn't show cleavage (if it's gonna hold the girls in it's gonna need some coverage), and it shouldn't slip. If it does you either are wearing it too tight or are wearing incorrect or badly fitted undergarments. Starting college is a perfect time to get a REAL bra fitting. Go somewhere good (Nordstrom has developed a reputation of having well-qualified lingerie saleswomen), and then buy the size and shape (underwire, haul em up and move em out, wear em low, wear em high) they recommend.

And above the knee is fine, just so it's not WAY above the knee. Stand up and sit down in front a mirror a couple times. If you have to do a dance to keep from showing the goods, it's too short.

*** and "wear em low" is not an option. If you're not used to it "wear em high" can feel very odd, but will probably look best.

I'm being pretty conservative by saying "no strapless," but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Those threads have some cute ones, though.

DeltaBetaBaby · #11 04-14-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think a strapless dress that fits PERFECTLY is a perfectly acceptable day dress/sundress option. It shouldn't show cleavage (if it's gonna hold the girls in it's gonna need some coverage), and it shouldn't slip. If it does you either are wearing it too tight or are wearing incorrect or badly fitted undergarments. Starting college is a perfect time to get a REAL bra fitting. Go somewhere good (Nordstrom has developed a reputation of having well-qualified lingerie saleswomen), and then buy the size and shape (underwire, haul em up and move em out, wear em low, wear em high) they recommend.

And above the knee is fine, just so it's not WAY above the knee. Stand up and sit down in front a mirror a couple times. If you have to do a dance to keep from showing the goods, it's too short.

*** and "wear em low" is not an option. If you're not used to it "wear em high" can feel very odd, but will probably look best.

Right, and it depends on YOUR shape. For some women, it is just not going to happen.

PNM1111 · #12 04-14-2012, 05:42 PM

Okay well when shopping for strapless dresses I make sure they don't slip cause it bothers the crap out of my if they do. I'm not very well endowed there so I don't have a huge problem with the whole cleavage thing. My dresses are also rather high cut considering I am rather conservative in my dress compared to many other girls in my school and feel uncomfortable if i think anything is "showing." Thank you for the wonderful advice ladies!

melindawarren · #13 04-14-2012, 06:32 PM

Also, I love illusion necklines. If you want to look trendy and still have a strapless look, illusion may be the way to go.

BAckbOwlsgIrl · #14 04-14-2012, 06:57 PM

Don't forget accessories!

No big pole stripper pole earrings.
However tasteful chandelier earrings are trendy now.
This is a chance to show your personality.
They will bring the eye up to focus on you.
Vintage or pearls are always nice.

Also, don't forget make up. Go to Sepbzhora and get a small palette with lip gloss, and highlighter. You don't have to spend a ton.

Easy on the perfume. Don't put a ton on. Some people will be allergic to it.

amIblue? · #15 04-15-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

Easy on the perfume. Don't put a ton on. Some people will be allergic to it.

I can't stress enough the no perfume for recruitment, or even later in your professional life for job interviews. If you happen across someone with sensitivity to perfume, you can forget that person looking past their misery when there's hundreds of other equally qualified candidates who didn't make them ill. I know some people who get migraines from scents, but I have known a woman who got full blown asthma attacks from them. It's just not worth it.