clothes for rush

[ROWDYsister]

Originally posted by aephi alum
Ashley, you've gotten some great advice. A sundress or nice top and skirt or capris would be good for earlier rounds. The only thing I would add is that I suggest you NOT get a black dress for pref if most sororities wear black... you may be mistaken for a sister.

Yes, last year almost all the rushees wore black for Prefs. It make you stand out if you wear another color. (but some sororities wear white.)

[AXO Alum]

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
Hey, what about us alums? What should we show up in to help out (esp. if the rushees will see us)? Obviously, we aren't going to match the sisters, and we should wear badge attire ... but should we wear suits, dresses, do you care? If the girls are wearing black for pref, should I wear a black suit?

Our alums are asked to wear black suits or dressy dresses to pref as well, along with our badge and very simple jewelry if any. We ask them to wear the skirt/dress length below the knee (like the collegians) with appropriate hosiery and shoes. I remember falling over once during pref because an alum showed up with a spandex mini-mini skirt on, NO hose (seriously white legs) and big chunky sandals -- her toenails weren't even painted nicely. They had been purple, but were all chipped and yucky looking. I voted to kick her out of the party right then and there.

Being an alum (as well as alum president, and now chapter co-advisor) I take a certain pride in how I dress - especially around the collegians. I want them to see that I take their events seriously, and that I respect what they have asked of us to wear. We don't go anywhere near the PNM's so there is no chance for talking with them.

So ask your chapter or the chapter that you are attending the pref ceremony for. They should be the ones to make that decision since they know what "look" they feel will best represent their chapter.

As for the other post about tank tops - ugh!! I am sorry, but I think its too casual for the middle of the desert. Recruitment is a mutual interview process, and while you don't want to show up in a formal gown each night, you want to look your best for each round. There are a lot of cute choices out there now (especially with khaki's big return and the return of skirts to the front scene) and that should be more appropriate attire than a tank and jean shorts. I would also like to stress to the collegians that flip flops SHOULD NOT be considered appropriate dress for certain events (ie, pref, formal meetings, etc.) -- it just doesn't make a good impression.

[FuzzieAlum]

AXO Alum - I'm hearin' ya on the flip flops. It's pretty casual here in the Northwest, but after a recent (dressy) event at a house where a lot of sisters were wearing flip flops, the alums (including those in their 20s, not just the "old ladies") were HORRIFIED! "Back in my day, we had to wear hose," "What were they thinking?" etc. My chapter was more casual - the other alums were surprised to hear that we wore our Quills with khakis - but still, you don't want to frighten the alums and/or parents!

And it's true - dress for the a/c blasting in the house, not the hot sun outside.

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
AXO Alum - I'm hearin' ya on the flip flops. It's pretty casual here in the Northwest, but after a recent (dressy) event at a house where a lot of sisters were wearing flip flops, the alums (including those in their 20s, not just the "old ladies") were HORRIFIED! "Back in my day, we had to wear hose," "What were they thinking?" etc. My chapter was more casual - the other alums were surprised to hear that we wore our Quills with khakis - but still, you don't want to frighten the alums and/or parents!

I am SO with y'all on the flip flop issue! I think that they're cute with casual things, but as ritual alumnae advisor to a collegiate chapter, I've been shocked more than once by girls trying to wear flip flops into ceremonies.

I know that styles have changed in the years since I've been out of school (although it really wasn't THAT long ago.) But some things just aren't done! I finally put my foot down and stated that closed toe shoes must be worn at all ceremonies, but I know that I'll have to make that announcement just before every formal event from now on. There are always a few girls who forget.

Please, any DZ's who are reading this, do me a favor and wear hose and dress shoes to any formal meetings/rituals that you attend, just on the off chance that I might be visiting. Otherwise, I'm going to die of a heart attack at a very early age.

[AXOprincess]

Ok I am in AZ and during recruitment it can be around 100+ degrees and humid as all Heck. I would recomend to all PMNs to keep a small body spray in her purse. Nothing to over powering, just a nice light smell. I mean chances are you will sweat while walking from house to house, and i doubt you want anyone to smell it. But remember dont bathe in it, just a small amount. Just a thought

[carnation]

Okay, this is what makes PNMs and their moms crazy. I have here two rush brochures that the twins' college has sent.

On the first day of rush, one brochure suggests that the girls wear shorts, tee-shirts, and tennis shoes and the other says nice shorts and sandals, no mention of what kind of shirts. The picture, however, shows the rush counselors in nice shirts, not tees.

On the second day, one brochure says "Dressy Casual"--sundress or pantsuit. The other brochure says "khaki or other casual pants, button-down shirts, and sandals". As you might have guessed, the girls in the pictures are wearing not what's suggested but instead, nice dark pants and shirts that are not button-down.

Agggh! No one wants to be underdressed or overdressed! So the girls have chosen to wear sundresses for the second day and have appropriate dresses for the last 2 days but it's the first day that's bugging us. One alum has suggested that they wear some kind of memorable shirt with nice khaki shorts.


Okay! That's the plan! But....can some kindhearted person suggest a shirt that would be memorable?

[ivysis]

Again, it just depends on the school. We wore nice capris or shorts the first day. Skirts or pants (or capris) the second. Third was skirts mostly. Pref was a cocktail dress.

On the other side, first day is always capris and t-shirts. Second is skirts and baby t's. Third depends on the skit, but most likely skirts and more t's. And pref is the all black cocktail dress.

Good luck. I remember how hard picking out clothes was. It gets easier on the other side when you are just given a list and have no choice.

[PhiMuNursie]

Ya'll get my opinion frequently when it comes to Rush, but that's just because it's my favorite time of the "sorority year".

Anyway, I feel like tanktops are appropriate for Florida. HOWEVER, I would go for more of a tank top than spaghetti strap top, just because they tend to look a little dressier with not as much skin showing but if you find a killer spaghetti strap one you just HAVE to wear, then go for it.

Now, as far as the shorts issue. If you're going for a more polished look for the top, then go for something a little dressier on the bottom, maybe a khaki or dark denim skirt or my personal fav. capris.

I think the biggest problem with UF rush (as far as clothes go) is that panhellenic wants no frills and very casual Rush, but all of us older girls and the majority of members (not just my chapter) are always astonished at what some people consider "casual". I would recommend that even if your "Pi Chi" (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think is the newest term for Rho Chi) tells you wear something, kick it up just one notch so that you're along the same lines as the sorority members. Remember, we're trying to come across as well put together, so we feel overdressed if you're in gym clothes. Which did happen last year, girl was in cheerleading shorts and a t-shirt, sneakers and hair in a sloppy bun. Don't go that route. And further, you're gonna be sitting outside in a tent for much longer than you're in the actual house, for round 1 in house time is around 10-12 minutes, the rest of the day you're walking and sitting outside, so dress for the outdoor weather, not the AC.

Ok, that turned out lengthy. Hope it was helpful.

Tara
I have a Phi Mu castle...

[nauadpi]

Originally posted by AXOprincess
Ok I am in AZ and during recruitment it can be around 100+ degrees and humid as all Heck. I would recomend to all PMNs to keep a small body spray in her purse. Nothing to over powering, just a nice light smell. I mean chances are you will sweat while walking from house to house, and i doubt you want anyone to smell it. But remember dont bathe in it, just a small amount. Just a thought

I have tp agree with you here. I go to school in northern arizona. It isnt as hot here, but because all the sororities are in one res. hall, the building is big and heat rises. There is no reason for air conditioning since the rest of the year is generally snow filled. So the hall gets really hot. The point here was to suggest that in general bring body spray. Even if you dont think it will be that hot, there is a good chance it will be anyways.

[PiPhiJulie]

Originally posted by PhiMuNursie
I would recommend that even if your "Pi Chi" (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think is the newest term for Rho Chi) COLOR]

We just changed from Rho Chi to Gamma Chi (Greek Counselors).

[justamom]

Carnation, the booklet LSU supplied the girls with was way off from what was actually worn. Consider the location though and you KNOW when someone says casual, the range can be an outfit from Target to Bebe. The more competative it seems the dressier in terms of casual versus casual sheik. Also, in the middle
of rush the Rho Chis told the girls to wear something totally NOT in the brochure. The ones that went with what the Rho Chis said were so underdressed in comparison to the girls who stuck with their original plans.

Those pictures may have been taken before the actual clothing description was laid down. Looking back, I think the LSU brochure was showing different body types how to dress distinctively more than WHAT to wear.

Do you know ANYONE who went through last year? That would be the best source. Other than that, have you thought about a more tailored looking top than a cotton T or to play it safe, possibly a T with a different style neckline that would allow for a darling necklace? If you have to err either way, it's better to go up than down. I like tailored the best. Here's a little tip. We had some different jewelry to choose from. When she saw what was the level of dressiness, she could downplay it or scale up by merely changing her jewelry.

[Angels&Arrows]

Recruitment has changed somewhat since when I went through. We were a bit dressier.

I think the first day I wore a nice sundress from Lilly Pulitzer. The second day I wore a sundress from Ann Taylor. The third day I wore a pink dress suit from Talbot's. Pref I wore a simple but elegant black coctailish dress. Bid day I wore plaid shorts and a whit tailored buttoned down shirt. My sandals were elegant with my toes polished. The third day and pref I wore hose and heels. My nails were painted, make-up and hair done (not too much), light spritz (perfume is too much in Mississippi in August/and 600 different smells can be too much). I do not remember, but I probably just wore pearls or my diamond earrings/necklace. I am very conservative when it comes to jewelry.

Things have changed a lot though. I understand that the first day is more causal, the second day is uniformed (all PNMs wear rush t-shirts with shorts) for Philanthropy day. The third and fourth days are about the same as the good ‘ole days.

I would never wear jeans or Jean-shorts, spaghetti strap shirt or flip-flops (but that is me and each school is different). As for t-shirts and tank tops there is a difference in a one bought from Old Navy (shop there often, don't get me wrong) and Talbots/Ann Taylor/Lilly Pulitzer. There is also the same difference in sandals.

I think capri pants are better than shorts. And you can never go wrong with a tailored, short sleeve buttoned down shirt. (Talbots is having their semi-annual sale now). I would rather be overdressed than underdressed for any occasion. Most of the time the rush booklets are prepared in the early Spring (fashion changes before the fall) and most school Panhellenic Councils are trying to dress down rush, so they show you what they want Rush to be like (a bit more casual). In reality, the PNMs are putting their best foot forward and dress-up.

Rush is similar to a job interview, you are interviewing the sororities to see where you best fit and they are interviewing you to see if you are a best fit for them. You would not show-up at a job interview unprepared and wearing jeans/t-shirt.

Again, each school is different and so am I.

I also have strong opinions about recs, but I will type that later in the appropriate thread.

[ashley99]

Wow! I am glad I asked about the jean shorts thing- i definately wont be wearing them. I actually just got my recruitment brochure in the mail yesterday and it had pictures of what to wear each day. I figure that I will just go with the dressiest option for each day. The only day that there is not a picture for is the very first day. I am assuming that I should just wear sonething very casual... it is only two hours long and i think it is just a "get to know your group" type of event.
I think I have a dress for pref night.. It is white with pink and rose colored flowers on it. It has spaghetti straps and is kinda long (it falls just below my knees). The back of the dress is actually a little longer than the front. Any opinions on this? I also have a black dress I could wear but I wanted to be kinda different.

[justamom]

I think you may get some different responses to the straps. I just don't know what to say. It sounds like your rush is a little more relaxed than what my daughter went through. All the "Moms" said NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS. There were several dresses with them however-have no idea if there was any opinion by the different houses on this. I think your dress sounds lovely. My opinion doesn't count for much however. (One Mom said no open toe shoes...ever-that was really dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's"-only went with this for Pref) I would think that by the time you wear it, the decision will basically be made and as long as it flatters YOU and has an elegant air, it should be great! If YOU like it and YOU feel confident add 50 bonus points!!!

[maggieaxid]

If it's a dress with spaghettis straps, I don't think thats aproblem. And I would def. wear the white with roses...lots of sisters and PNM's will be wearing black anyway, it's better to stand out just a little bit.