Some fashion advice...

[Soliloquy]

Well, since all of you wonderful sorority women know first hand about fashion statements during recruitment, I hope that you wouldn't mind offering some guidance!

Days 1 & 2 are easy, I have that in the bag. However, I need a sundress, cocktail dress, and a white bid day dress.

This is what I am thinking of:

Sundress:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/lilly.jpg
With a cardigan, if I can find a pink one that matches that.


Cocktail:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/_5030700.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/_5414153.jpg

Bid Day:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/_5388750.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/82171_WT0002_SU07_m.jpg
Back of this dress (too cute to not show!!)
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/recruitment2007/82171_WT0002_SU07_b.jpg


If you happen to be surfing the net.. and maybe just happen to stumble upon a cute dress that fits what I need... feel free to post it ;)

[violetpretty]

Looks good. I like the burgundy cocktail dress better for pref (although the pink and black mesh is very pretty, but I don't think it looks like a pref dress). I like the second white dress. It's more conservative and classic. Plus, you don't want to be attaching a pin to mesh.

[Soliloquy]

I like the burgandy one better as well, but I was concerned it might be "too old" for me.

[raincoat]

I really like the burgundy cocktail dress and both bid day dresses. I'm not a huge fan of the sundress though. It might be just a personal preference, but I'm not a fan of spaghetti straps at all (in a recruitment situation). It is a cute dress in general though!

[violetpretty]

I like the burgandy one better as well, but I was concerned it might be "too old" for me.

I don't think it's too old for our age group, but if it is too old for your style then don't get it. I just tend to think of a sleek, simple dress as a pref dress, and something that is not black!

[ClassicBeauty]

I really like the burgundy cocktail dress and both bid day dresses. I'm not a huge fan of the sundress though. It might be just a personal preference, but I'm not a fan of spaghetti straps at all (in a recruitment situation). It is a cute dress in general though!

What type of sundress do most soroities prefer?

[AlphaFrog]

Looks good. I like the burgundy cocktail dress better for pref (although the pink and black mesh is very pretty, but I don't think it looks like a pref dress). I like the second white dress. It's more conservative and classic. Plus, you don't want to be attaching a pin to mesh.

I second everything here.

And I do like the sundress.

[mystikchick]

the burgundy looks classy, and i think the second bid day dress is really cute and has that timeless sort of look

the sundress is cute, and i think with a cardigan over it it'd look even cuter :)

[_Lisa_]

The second white dress is definitely the way to go, especially since you'll be wearing it probably once or twice a year if you initiate into a GLO.

[AlphaFrog]

The second white dress is definitely the way to go, especially since you'll be wearing it probably once or twice a year if you initiate into a GLO.

Very true...that top one would not be appropriate for a late fall/winter ceremony...

Also, the top one appears to have a pink-ish skirt...some GLOs (or individual chapters) won't mind, but others are strict about NO COLOR.

[33girl]

What type of sundress do most soroities prefer?

I think that depends on the campus. What I believe raincoat is saying is that your dress should have thicker straps, i.e. wide enough to cover your bra straps. With spaghetti straps, either the girls are hanging free (inappropriate for rush) or you have to wear a strapless bra (not always comfy).

At some schools, though, people might not care - I remember girls on here talking about wearing strapless.

Def the burgundy and the second white dress - the other two dresses look more like something you would wear to a formal.

[ForeverRoses]

Very true...that top one would not be appropriate for a late fall/winter ceremony...

Also, the top one appears to have a pink-ish skirt...some GLOs (or individual chapters) won't mind, but others are strict about NO COLOR.

I agree about the first white dress- it would not have been approved for ritual in my chapter since it is slightly pink.

The burgundy dress is very classic- you can always make it more "youthful" with some earrings and/or a bracelet that is "you".

Oh I also love the sundress, especially if you find a cardigan to go with it.

Good luck!

[cuteASAbug]

I like the second bid day dress. That's the one I originally wanted to get for initiation, but I couldn't get it on time.

[FSUZeta]

sundress-too cute!! check j.crew for a sweater.

burgundy dress would be good for pref.

pink/black dress would be good for sorority semiformal.

2nd white dress is good for ritual stuff.

[adpiucf]

wouldn't suggest keeping this thread up... if you're a PNM, you shouldn't be advertising online what you'll be wearing. I recommend taking it to PM or email... Just saying. We advise PNM's writing their recruitment stories in real time to steer away from specifics, such as what they were wearing or what happened at each party. I think this is a similar issue.

I certainly want you to look your best and am happy to add suggestions, but believe that you might want to be more discreet than publishing what you specifically plan to wear each round (or are thinking about wearing).

Good luck!!!

[Soliloquy]

adpiucf, I truly appreciate your concern. However I highly doubt someone will place my identity from a dress that I posted online. Especially considering it's.. well.. a dress and many other girls will be wearing dresses. The chances of girls wearing the same dresses are very likely, rght? Besides, I have not made a single inappropriate post on this message board. So if for some 1 in 10,000,000 shot someone "discovered" me- I have nothing to be ashamed of. :D

Anyway, who is to say that I will purchase these EXACT dresses? Maybe I've posted dresses that are similar to ones that I am considering purchasing. :cool:

-------------------------------------

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I am truly struggling with the sundress quest. If anyone knows of any specific designers or websites that have particularly classy sundresses, please let me know.

[FSUZeta]

i was just on the ann taylor website and some of the dresses and sundresses are on sale. be sure to check out the "special occasions" site.

[UGAalum94]

We've touched on something here that is probably worth saying directly: if you join a group that requires a white dress, you might need it for more than that one occasion, and the more you can get something timeless, conservatively modest that you are really comfortable in, the more wear you might get out of it.

(Since really, the chances that we have in life to wear all white dresses are usually pretty slim, does it make that much sense to have to get several of them?)

About posting stuff that could possibly make you identifiable in real life, I understand why it seems like you shouldn't have to worry, but apparently the craziness of some GCers can't be overestimated.

[AlphaFrog]

About posting stuff that could possibly make you identifiable in real life, I understand why it seems like you shouldn't have to worry, but apparently the craziness of some GCers can't be overestimated.

If MysticCat didn't already own the fourth line of my signature, this would absolutely go there.

[Soliloquy]

Well, like I said, I haven't posted anything that would make my mother blush.

I also believe I have maintained a great deal of discreetness thusfar. I apologize that my thread asking for advice on something incredibly superficial has seemed to ruffle some feathers/initiate unnecessary drama.

[AlphaFrog]

Well, like I said, I haven't posted anything that would make my mother blush.

I also believe I have maintained a great deal of discreetness thusfar. I apologize that my thread asking for advice on something incredibly superficial has seemed to ruffle some feathers/initiate unnecessary drama.

I think you're fine. Just wait until after rush to post your thread.;):)

[ForeverRoses]

I think you're fine. Just wait until after rush to post your thread.;):)

Yeah- you could write the most current "retro" recruitment thead ever... "well two weeks ago was pref and I wore this adorable burgundy sheath dress...":)

[emily0325]

I would go with a fun printed sundress with a cardigan over it. It'll help you stick out :)

[AChiOhSnap]

Ann Taylor has some pretty sundresses that would be appropriate for a relatively conservative recruitment.

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7455&No=0&pCategoryId=101&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&N=1200003&Nty=1&categoryId=180&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Jungle%20Green&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses (http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7455&No=0&pCategoryId=101&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&N=1200003&Nty=1&categoryId=180&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Jungle%20Green&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses)

Love it. I think that would be a gorgeous sundress to wear with a little cardigan.

[adpiucf]

Well, like I said, I haven't posted anything that would make my mother blush.

I also believe I have maintained a great deal of discreetness thusfar. I apologize that my thread asking for advice on something incredibly superficial has seemed to ruffle some feathers/initiate unnecessary drama.

You haven't ruffled any feathers or initiated any drama. We're just trying to help you. There are some crazies and some crazy lurkers on here who have jeopardized some PNMs recruitments in past years.

You're welcome to take or leave any suggestions you receive here and do whatever you feel is right for you. :)

[AlphaFrog]

I would go with a fun printed sundress with a cardigan over it. It'll help you stick out :)

Good idea. Just make sure the "fun print" isn't anchors, ladybugs, owls, kites, etc...;)

[violetpretty]

No doubt, someone already on GC goes to your school. They will be able to figure out which chapter is which even if you use codenames, and especially if you describe philanthropy activities, outfits, skits, houses, etc. Someone could read your thread and think "hmm I better tell my chapter to cut Soliliquy since she is so hung up on another chapter", only to find that you get cut by both.

If you write your thread so that every chapter is described in the most generic way, your thread will probably be boring. We like details on GC. But we also don't want to see your recruitment get screwed up by someone's misinterpretations of your opinions. I'd recommend including more details and doing a thread AFTER you get a bid.

[FSUZeta]

i love that ann taylor dress, achiosnap. snaps to you!!

pnms, as i said in another thread, if you are thinking of wearing a strapless dress, make sure it fits properly and walk around in it for 5 or 10 minutes before purchasing it. i hate to see someone in a strapless dress constantly readjusting themselves and pulling the dress back up-no matter how cute the dress is.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

My thoughts exactly. 33girl touched on it too...we can't tell from the picture whether it would be right sundress for YOU. If you have a small bust, you can wear a strapless bra (or no bra if the dress is supportive) and be just fine. A girl like myself, however, could not pull that off without constant re-adjusting and the risk of appearing immodest.

[angels85]

I agree with the white dress theory. I bought one for h.s. graduation from Ann Taylor & have worn it atleast 2 every year for different things (and gotten compliments on it every year...its timeless obviously). I also bought a sundress from Ann Taylor that I wore during recruitment and a girl from every house commented on it. Ann Taylor has good stuff!!
Also, be sure to be modest..I know this sounds very over-done and obvious, but I wore a much too-short denim skirt one round and ended up very self-conscious sitting on the floor...just a thought!

[Soliloquy]

Sorry for my lack of replying, I fractured my ankle and have been bedridden. Thankfully I managed to hobble up to get my laptop, daytime TV was simply driving me insane!

Anyway, thanks for the Ann Taylor tip. I checked out that link and adored the dress. I surfed around and found quite a few other things that looked perfect!


Oh, and DeltaBaby- I know you can't tell me what works for me. That's why I simply asked for an unbiased opinion of how the dress would be viewed solely on design. Opinions, even without a basis, can be incredibly helpful. All of your opinions have provided some insight, so thank you very much ladies!

Let me just say that I am in love with J.Crew and want to spend all of my money there. haha :D

[AlwaysSAI]

Get to feeling better Sililoquy!!

Although, I wish I had a reason to lay in bed all day and do nothing but watch tv and surf the net....:rolleyes:

[Soliloquy]

Well, if I wasn't in summer school right now.. it would be great.

This is finals week for us and here I had to go show off during a game. :rolleyes:

[FSUZeta]

yikes!! i hope you are not down and out of commission too long.

j.crew is great-but, boy, they are proud of their merchandise($$$).

good luck on your finals.

[Munchkin03]

I would suggest a boutique in your town over a major clothing chain. Look to J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and Lilly for inspiration for what might be appropriate, and pick something that doesn't run the risk of being worn by ookabillions of other PNMS. :)

[UGAalum94]

j.crew is great-but, boy, they are proud of their merchandise($$$).



Especially for what it is.

It's nice, cute stuff of good quality, and I'd say it's comparable to Banana Republic (although I don't like the dresses they've got right now) and Ann Taylor (many cute options), and yet in price things are likely to cost double what they "should" at J.Crew, using the Banana and AT as price points.

[Soliloquy]

I think I have developed a slight twitch trying to find a cocktail type dress and an appropriate white dress.

No wonder why PNMs get so stressed out before/during rush... this whole shopping thing is a major bummer because I cannot find a darn thing I like! Well actually I am finding things I like but they are about $500+ and that is money I would rather save for my dues :cool:

Any other website suggestions?

Oh and if I buy anything in this small town, I can almost guarantee that someone else will be wearing it! Another bummer... :(

[cuteASAbug]

Try Chadwicks or Newport News for white dresses. I was having a lot of trouble finding a dress for initiation, and several people on GC recommended those stores to me.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Did you look on bluefly.com? Good website for deals.

[FSUZeta]

in the past i have seen white dresses at reasonable prices, or even better than reasonable, at target, old navy and gap.

i have 2 friends who can shop at marshalls or tjmaxx and look absolutely stunning-as if they had just walked out of saks. i don't have the knack that they do, but if you are similarly gifted, give those stores a try.

[FSUZeta]

i still like your burgundy dress for prefs.

[alum]

I think you can have success at Marshall's et alia if you go in on a regular basis. Last time I was there they actually had Vineyard Vines (D's current favorite). I had seen that brand in men's clothing for awhile in several different stores but nothing for us women until now.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I think you can have success at Marshall's et alia if you go in on a regular basis. Last time I was there they actually had Vineyard Vines (D's current favorite). I had seen that brand in men's clothing for awhile in several different stores but nothing for us women until now.

Depends hugely on the individual store. There is a TJ's near me that has great designer stuff all of the time, but the one a town a way is dirty and has crappy stuff.

[UGAalum94]

Depends hugely on the individual store. There is a TJ's near me that has great designer stuff all of the time, but the one a town a way is dirty and has crappy stuff.

You have to be a pretty committed shopper, I think, even at their good stores. (I agree that they vary in quality a lot.)

I think they are great places for people who love the experience of shopping and/or have a lot of time and a great flexibility in what they are looking for.

You might have good luck if your category was as broad as sundressess.

[SoCalGirl]

I've been seeing tons of white dresses every where lately. Marshalls, Ross, Target, etc!

Depends hugely on the individual store. There is a TJ's near me that has great designer stuff all of the time, but the one a town a way is dirty and has crappy stuff.

The cleintale that the store caters to determines what they have. The better areas get the better stuff.

[ufpiphi]

While reading the continutation of this thread I remembered a cute American Eagle dress I ordered offline about a month ago also came in white. So I checked back on the site and sure enough, they still have it and several others. Plus they are on clearance! These might serve a dual purpose- white initiation dress and just a cute summer staple for not an excessive amount of money :-) I posted the link below to the one with the most sizes left but take a look at the other options on the site, too.

http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?rcid=clearance&scid=cat90062&sscid=cat90104&navroot=clearance&productId=1396_9909

I agree J.Crew can be expensive but personally I believe their classic, simple lines and durability make worthwhile purchases in many cases. And when they put things on sale, it's as much as 70% off in season items. Plus their mainstays like cotton tank tops come in the best color palette I've ever seen at very reasonsble prices. Just my $0.02 :)

[carnation]

Are there any groups that don't allow strapless dresses for initiation? I'm thinking that AOII might be one.

[AOIINewbie]

Yes Ms. Carnation. That's true. We are not allowed to wear strapless dresses for any kind of ritual. A sweater, or something with sleeves must be worn over it.

[carnation]

Oh OK, I thought I remembered that right from my oldest daughter's initiation..here we were in October shopping for a shortsleeved white dress, closed white shoes, white hose...not easy! I don't have any idea what our other AOII did because she didn't come home to shop.

But ufpiphi, you're right--it's a great dress!

[SoCalGirl]

For AOII, is that a national thing or a chapter thing? With SK it's up to the chapter if they want to ban a dress that is strapless, sleeveless, short, etc.

[epchick]

In my chapter we allow strapless or thin strapped dresses as long as the girl wears a sweater over it. Her shoulders must be covered during initiation.

[Munchkin03]

Depends hugely on the individual store. There is a TJ's near me that has great designer stuff all of the time, but the one a town a way is dirty and has crappy stuff.

This is so true. Plus, I think it has a lot to do with regions. The TJ Maxx near my office has a Lilly Pulitzer DISPLAY up right now. There's another store not too far away that has none of that.

I should go to Marshalls to see if they have Vineyard Vines.

Also, I've never needed a white dress for any sorority-related activity. Not sure if it's AXO or my specific chapter, though. Just a little reminder, lest anyone think that owning a white dress is a sorority prerequisite...:D

[alum]

If you live near DC or Boston and like Vineyard Vines:

I have seen VV items for men at the Filene's Basements in Newton, MA and Tyson's Corner, VA (both nice suburbs) and at the Off-Saks and Nordstroms Rack at a dreadful outlet mall in Woodbridge, VA. VV for women were spotted at Marshall's in the City of Fairfax, VA.

[AGDee]

Are there any groups that don't allow strapless dresses for initiation? I'm thinking that AOII might be one.

We must have shoulders covered (so you could wear a white cardigan over it). They also must be below the knee for us. Some of those are very close, depending on how they fit you. I'd try for a couple inches below the knee to be on the safe side. This is a new thing for us, they used to have to be tea length or longer.

[Soliloquy]

I'm originally from a very populated metro-suburb and am used to incredible finds at stores like Marshalls, Ross, and TJ Maxx buttttttt not so much around here :rolleyes:.

JW, but how taboo is it to wear a sorority's colors to pref? It seems practically unavoidable according to the sororites on my campus and the dresses I love are in those color families!

Thank you all, again, for such helpful tips!

[AlphaFrog]

JW, but how taboo is it to wear a sorority's colors to pref? It seems practically unavoidable according to the sororites on my campus and the dresses I love are in those color families!


The key is the combination. You can wear "cardinal", but don't wear "straw" with it. You can wear "scarlet", but don't wear "olive" with it. And, I would say that this applies to the more "blatant" color combos. Red & white or purple & white wouldn't completely SCREAM a particular sorority like other more obvious combinations.

[FSUZeta]

The key is the combination. You can wear "cardinal", but don't wear "straw" with it. You can wear "scarlet", but don't wear "olive" with it. And, I would say that this applies to the more "blatant" color combos. Red & white or purple & white wouldn't completely SCREAM a particular sorority like other more obvious combinations.

royal purple and white-sigma sigma sigma

[AlphaFrog]

royal purple and white-sigma sigma sigma

Yes, I know that. I was using the example of sorority colors that are commonly used in clothing together that wouldn't stick out like Cardinal and Straw would.

If a woman showed up at Prefs in this:
http://store.corsetmaking.com/Merchant2/graphics/DBimages/products/betsey/african_violet_blue.jpg
You probably wouldn't automatically think Sigma.

If a woman showed up in this:

http://www.tdrinc.com/images/photos/st12c.jpg

You would probably assume that she was leaning toward ChiO.

[cuteASAbug]

If a woman showed up in this:

http://www.tdrinc.com/images/photos/st12c.jpg

You would probably assume that she was leaning toward ChiO.
Ok I definitely wouldn't think that at all unless the PNM was a nutcase to begin with.

And why is the woman fixing her car barefoot?

[AlphaFrog]

And why is the woman fixing her car barefoot?

Why is she wearing a dress with a hood on it?

[Soliloquy]

I AM FINALLY ALMOST DONE! PRAISE SWEET JESUS!


Just need a white dress and that's it!

I got my cocktail dress today and some accessories. I found a great deal at a little boutique here, it's gorgeous. It totally fits my personality and looks so fabulous. I keep putting it on and strutting around my apartment haha. :D

I had never been in that boutique before, but thanks to some urgings from various GC'ers regarding boutiques- I decided to stop in.

[AChiOhSnap]

You would probably assume that she was leaning toward ChiO.

A Chi-O wannabe, and batshit crazy besides.

/I'm dying to know how you find all these hilarious pictures.

[AlphaFrog]

/I'm dying to know how you find all these hilarious pictures.

Google image search...and if they don't have exactly what I want (or close to it), I make it up...

[AChiOhSnap]

Google image search...and if they don't have exactly what I want (or close to it), I make it up...

LOL, I guess I'm image search illiterate, I never find anything funny.

Congratulations on finding cute outfits, Soliloquy. I know that there was some debate over whether or not to post descriptions of your outfit but I love fashion/design so if you don't post pictures or descriptions publicly, could you PM me? Anyway, I'm excited to hear how your recruitment comes together these next few months. Good luck!