It is a common misconception that all sororities are the same. People really think that from Los Angeles to New York, sororities all act the same way. Contrary to popular belief, sororities in southern California are very different from anywhere else. Here’s how!
1. Brandy Melville is the new Lilly Pulitzer.
Don’t get me wrong, we love our Lilly Pulitzer patterned accessories, but as far as wearing it goes, it’s just not a thing. Basic clothing, for us, is from Brandy Melville, and you most definitely know that after every Brandy sisterhood event that we all have the same clothes and we will be accidentally matching for every meeting.
2. Retreats happen at the beach.
I have never had a retreat, or any kind of sisterhood gathering, anywhere where there was snow. I don’t have any kind of wardrobe suitable for the snow, and I venture to guess that very few girls from SoCal have a North Face jacket. I much prefer bikinis and the ocean, anyway!
3. It's literally 100 degrees during recruitment week.
The 100-degree weather may be outside, but the heat only increases when you enter a house. If we didn’t offer water to everyone, I’m sure girls would be beyond dehydrated. Although it’s both stressful and sweaty in our house, there is nowhere I’d rather be.
4. We go to In-N-Out after every function.
In-N-Out might be the only place that’s ever open after our late night events that actually sounds appetizing. In-N-Out is the obvious place to eat, and it’s to the point where no one bothers asking, “what do you want to eat?” anymore. After we get our food, we are going to Snapchat our double-double animal style.
5. Rainbows are the go-to shoes before changing into heels.
My Rainbows are practically my second pair of feet. I wear them everywhere, so it’s only natural that I wear them with my formal attire. I wish I could keep them on all night, but sadly, flip flops can’t be worn during ritual.
6. We break out our letters when it hits 70 degrees.
We love our letters, but we barely get a chance to wear them because chilly days are few and far between. Call us crazy, but any temperature below 70 is most definitely letter weather.
7. We take trips to Disneyland, regularly.
Chances are, it’s your chapter’s goal to somehow get a sisterhood trip to Disneyland this semester. If you haven’t thrown what you know in front of Cinderella’s castle, are you even in a sorority?
8. A majority of our shirts are tank tops.
I’m slightly envious of the adorable long sleeves I see girls wearing in the south, but realistically, the weather here does not permit for such attire. No matter if it’s April or December, I can still rock my letters on a tank top.
9. Your dream man does not wear Sperrys -- he wears a wetsuit and carries a surfboard.
A girl can only dream about finding a surfer boy all for herself. Don’t get me wrong, he still needs to have goals and dreams while still being smart and kind, but there’s something about being a surfer that makes any SoCal girl melt.
10. Even though our chapters are on the opposite side of the country, we love all of our sisters.
If you are wearing my letters, no matter where you are, I love you like a sister.
We may argue that West Coast is the best coast, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what letters you wear, or where you are from. This is just a little glimpse of what it’s like to be a southern California sorority girl. What is it like everywhere else?
