It's that time of the year again! When eager girls all over the country are nervously putting together outfits or buying new clothes in order to prepare for one the best, and definitely stressful, weeks of their college lives. You know what I'm talking about, its recruitment season! All PNMs (Potential New Members) ask, “What should I wear for recruitment?” Clothing requirements vary from school to school, so always check with the fashion guidelines provided by your Panhellenic council. There will be a dress code for each day of formal recruitment. At my school the events are as followed: Meet the Greeks, Formal Recruitment, Themed Night, Themed Night, Philanthropy Night, Themed Night, Preference and, of course, BID DAY! Going through recruitment a few times and being a fashion enthusiast, this was my forte. I put together a style guide to help anyone about to go through sorority recruitment. From the accessories to the hair, I covered it all!
Recruitment Round One: Meet the Greeks:
This is the most casual of the rounds! This is the round that you want to wear something stylish, but laid back. If your Panhellenic Recruitment team has made shirts for you to wear, then you're half way there! Pair the shirt with a cute pair of sandals, shorts, and accessories. If you are not given a shirt, you have plenty of options for this round; just think of cute and casual! Make sure that whatever you decide to wear you feel comfortable and you stay true to yourself! Your outfit shows off part of your personality, and you would not want to be giving off something that is not you.
Recruitment Round Two: Formal Recruitment Night
Formal Recruitment Night is one of my favorites. Dress like you would for a dinner date; a dress is a great idea with a pair of wedges and a statement necklace. If you do not want to wear a dress, a nice skirt and shirt to match will do just fine! Shoes should be sandals, ballet flats, or heels. You want to look very put together, but not too formal, so leave the satin for Preference round. Sometimes this is described as ‘business casual’. Think about what you would wear to a luncheon, an interview or a graduation. When selecting your dress, always go for classy over sexy.
Recruitment Round Three: Themed Nights
Themed Nights cover any event that that Chapter has prepared for their specific recruitment theme. Just like Meet the Greeks, at my school themed nights are somewhat casual, as well. Over dress, slightly, but you want to be comfortable for whatever game or activity they have planned for you.
Recruitment Round Four: Philanthropy Night
This is often the Philanthropy round. This can still be semi-casual. A nice top and jeans, or a fun skirt with a blouse would be a great way to show off your style for this round. For shoes, wear flats or sandals. For the winter months I would suggest boots/ booties or flats. Philanthropy round digs deeper into what it means to serve as a member of a certain sorority, and will more than likely include a craft or activity to complete so be sure you can move around in your outfit!
Recruitment Round Five: Preference Night
Pref day! You're almost done! This round is the fanciest of them all. This is when you want to dress like you're going to a wedding or some type of fancy event. Keep your dresses classy and elegant, but don't be afraid to wear a bright color if allowed! Some schools may ask you to wear a certain color to tie into their theme or what the other sisters are going to be wearing. Dress up your dress with some of your favorite jewels, but don't overdo it! A nice pair of heels or flats will complete this look!
Recruitment Round Six: BID DAY!
You have made it to Bid Day! The most exciting part of the recruitment experience has finally arrived! On most campuses bid day is another casual day. New members are asked to wear shorts and a tank top or shirt they can change out of. The tank top is worn because the new pledges will most likely be given a bid day tee shirt to slip on over the tank. Don’t wear a fluffy blouse or an extravagant outfit. White, khaki or solid-colored shorts are best. This is the day that you want to be able to be comfortable enough that when you are moving around so much, you will still be able to enjoy your time.
The rule of thumb when it comes to dressing for recruitment is to always overdress a little. Don’t wear too much jewelry, and avoid low-cut or too-tight tops; you don’t want to look like you’re going clubbing. Here is some of my advice about what NOT to wear: Anything too short, too tight, or too revealing. You want to send a positive message to these girls. If you would wear the outfit to a nightclub, then do not wear it to sorority rush. Take off your watch—nothing says you’re not interested in a conversation like checking the time, and it’s a good idea to just avoid any temptation altogether. The ultimate goal is to make a memorable impression on your potential sisters. Whether you’re wearing a dress, separates or a required rush tee, it’s always important to look clean, fresh and super cute. The order of the rounds may vary at each college, but in general, these are examples of appropriate apparel to wear for a typical sorority recruitment! Relax, have fun, and be yourself! Let your personality shine through while looking your best and you're sure to have a memorable week!
