dress Checks

[KerriMarie]

Ours this year is pretty strict - like for Icewaters, we have a choice of 4 or 5 teal shirts to buy (and we had a consultation with the Rush chair, and she told us what one she would like us in), and 3 pairs of khaki capris to choose from. Apparantly last fall, we were more lax about it (I wasn't here, I was in London doing Study Abroad) and we ended up not looking so great. So this year we're in the other direction. It's gonna be quite an investment, and it's already been a pain (I had my mom calling Expresses looking for the flipflops I need!) but I think the effect will be really nice.

So on Icewaters and Philanthropy Day we'll all look pretty similar. For Skit Day, we have color samples and we have to get a dress that matches, but the style and pattern is up to us - it just has to match. And for Pref Day, we can wear any black dress, as long as it's not long.

[justhey76]

wow, ummm. I dont know where all of yall are from, but is it so strict like that in oklahoma?

[ilovemyglo]

EricaXO where are you from? (as in school)
Just out of curiousity, my school does an all frills rush, I know this isn't against Panhellenic but I wish it was because it is so difficult. We end up spending too much money.
Every chapter at our school wears typically khaki skirts above the knee and a knit shirt with letters sewn on it.
Second round is theme day and everyone wears their costume or a tee shirt with the name of the sorority, typically written out or dazzled up someway (glitter or whatever) and black pants or some sort of skirt.
Preferences are typically a black dress (cocktail or such) but last year my chapter wore black suits because honestly they are more practical.
I think this year our internationals wants us to wear a red or green dress, but I don't know what they will really do. I am going alum in May so I don't have to worry anymore.

[sailboatgirl]

At my collegiate chapter, the only night we (and the other chapters on campus) dressed up for rush was pref night. When I was in school, we had tailor-made black sheath dresses, but now they just have black sheath dresses from anywhere that are not too short. For the other night, they are usually theme nights with the girls dressing for the theme or in matching letter shirts and shorts...it's too hot here in Oklahoma in late August to not wear shorts!

[AXO Alum]

Since a lot of AXO's have replied to this -- anyone remember the picture in the Lyre from a few months ago? It was one of the chapters and they all wore the same red dresses for pref - it was absolutely stunning. I think the caption even remarked that they got a lot of girls attention when they varied from the standard black/white. Our rush is after labor day, and being in the South, white is absolutely out. One of the chapters on campus wears white, though -- ugh. I don't like white at all - we wore it at my alma mater (pre-labor day rush though) and it wasn't very flattering to our girls. Stark white is hard to pull off (especially when you are as pale as me) - of course I hit a deal at a Belk's outlet and got a very Marilyn Monroe looking halter dress that my gram added a white satin tie in the front. It was so pretty.

I have no problem with dress checks -- I think that for pref especially, the girls should have to show what they are wearing -- as in wearing the complete outfit for a check one day so that they can check for panty lines, appropriate hosiery, and shoes.

I think that the argument for the same pref dress can go either way -- on the one hand, wearing the same dress insures that everyone will have matching "colors" (even black and white will vary in shade according to the material) and it is pretty stunning when everyone is together. On the other hand, allowing for choice (within reason) is a good way to say to PNM's "Hey, we all are sisters, but we recognize that we all have different tastes and opinions" -- so either way, I can see the pros.

[ZTAMichelle]

Coming from a small Northern school all this is pretty foreign to me. But there are some things we do the same as the rest of ya'll. We try to dress as identical as possible but that does't usually work out. Panhel wants Recruitment to be 'no-frills' so we don't go out and buy many decorations and shouldn't go out and buy new clothes. This past Feb was Formal Recruitment and I certianly leaned a lot! Our first nite is house tours and a theme night so we dress according to whatever our designated theme is. This year, on philanthropy day we wear pink tops and a denim skirt. One family tress had matching shirts from Old navy that were SOO cute. For pref we all wear our black dress, but all are different. I think wearing the same would look nice but if not every GLO here did that the one that did wold look stupid.

Question for ya'll....our Recruitment Chair hands out fines of a sister doesn't wear the correct attire for all Recruitment events. Is this the same for anyone else? For example, during a COB party a sister who lived in the house refused to wear her letters even tho that was chosen for us to wear. Our Recruitment Chair fined her $5....

[GreekGuide]

Oh, I remember Dress Checks. They were actually fun! The seniors gave awards during dress checks. My pledge Grandma awarded me the "Fastest Changer In the West."

Kinda cheesy, but it was cute and fun.

Now as far as what we wore...granted this was 5-6 years ago...and styles and Recruitment rules have changed.

The first day is very casual...we usually wore an AGD T-shirt that were either just block letters or a sisterhood theme with khaki shorts and white canvas platform tennis shoes.

2nd day was AGD Round-up, a Western Theme for a couple of years...We did denim shorts or skirt and a red bandana themed AGD shirt with bandanas in our hair or around our necks.

I know recently the girls have done a garden theme for that day and did floral print skirts, white t-shirts and flip-flops.

The third day was our MTV skit AGDtv. We wore denim camp shirts - sleeveless or shortsleeve...with black shorts or skirts.

Fourth day was a little fancier...was usually a Jazz or City Park theme. We wore fitted white shirts and black skirts with black hose and black shoes.

For Pref Night, we wear black cocktail dresses. I think most of the chapters at my alma mater wear black cocktail/after-five dresses for that evening. It's a special time. It's the seniors last rush. It's a very emotional and beautiful night.

The thing to remember is to not make it expensive for everyone where they have to go out and buy new outfits. Try and pick pieces that everyone might already have in the closets. Like white t-shirts, fitted white dress shirts, khakis, etc....And, give them options for bottoms. Pick a bottom color like khaki or denim and let the girls decide individually if they want to wear shorts, a skirt or pants.

Or do khaki/denim/black bottom and let members chose the top...like those fitted shirts from the Gap and Banana that are 3/4 sleeved. They come in solids and in all different colors. Some could be bright pink, red, blue, purple, green, etc...

This goes back to making it easier for the members because they might already have the item and it also helps show some individuality in your members.

Hope that helps.

[GreekGuide]

Ok...I know I'm long-winded...and this is going to sound really catty, but when it comes to Rush, you want your chapter to put their best feet forward.

Literally!!!!!!!

I have big issues with feet, shoes and legs. You might have a great outfit going on, but if you are wearing those platform flip-flops, with your chipping "I'm not Really a Waitress" OPI nailpolish, and your feet are dirty....that's so foul.

Or, you greet a potential member in your above the knee skirt and all the seats are taken when you get back inside after singing, so you flop down on the floor to give your PM a nice flash of the panties...or worse, yet, your sister has decided to go commando....UGGGHHH

Finally, short skirts and dresses...make sure everyone is either wearing hose or not...and if they are not, make sure you don't have anyone that isn't wearing hose and has the Courtney Love syndrome all over her legs. While your stories from your summer job as a Camp Counselor and Camp Chipofftheoldblock are interesting, No body wants to sit and talk with you if you've got bruises and scabs all over your legs.

And finally, remember your friends during rush...eye gel, foundation, lip gloss, the hair brush, breath mints and clear deodorant.

Sorry, if that was catty...but c'mon...i know you've seen it.

[LexiKD]

I see where you are coming from.

I also cannot take it when women try to be trendy and that trend isn't right for all body types.

EXAMPLE: Low Rise jeans; some are so low that you cannot sit....please do not were clothes to Reruitment that you cannot move around or flash your underwear. I mean really.

[VT Tri-D]

we do dress checks and i think its great, because you can ensure that everyone actually HAS everything that they are supposed to wear during the week. that way there can be no last minute "oops i forgot to buy a black dress" fiascos.

on the first night (skit night), we all wear letter shirts, and a costume if you are in the skit

on the second night (philanthropy night) we actually wear pajamas. our philanthropy is childrens cancer, and this goes well with the wat we decorate our house and the theme of the night. also, its really comfortable!

on the third night (siterhood/video night) we all wear NON-black cocktail dresses, hose, and black shoes

on pref we do the traditional black dress, hose and black shoes

[AOX81]

Originally posted by LexiKD
EXAMPLE: Low Rise jeans; some are so low that you cannot sit....please do not were clothes to Reruitment that you cannot move around or flash your underwear. I mean really.

Exactly, we do not want to see your thong!!

[ROWDYsister]

I have yet to go through recruitment on the other side, but we've been told dress checks are very strict. I think they're a good idea, b/c it's good to have everyone on the same page.

Round 1: (Day 1+2...general conversation, pop-ups, brag boards) All sororities wear orange and blue casual outfits, not like we're going to a game but to show PNMs that we are all Greek and go to UF together (unity).
Round 2: (Day 3+4...philanthropy, craft) Jerseys and nice skirts or nice pants
Round 3: (Day 5...video, house tour) Sundresses or skirts with nice tops
Preferentials: (Day 6) Snow-white gowns and shoes (most sororities at UF wear black formal gowns)
Bid Day: (Day 7) something cute and comfortable, you'll be taking a lot of pics and orienting the new pledge class with different aspects of sorority life