Sorority recruitment (formerly known as sorority rush) is a time each year when women who are interested in joining a sorority attend parties and functions in an effort to receive a bid or invitation to join. Each round of recruitment parties has its own feel and theme that can include simple informal chatting, a philanthropy focus, or a more formal preference ceremony ritual.
Potential new members (formerly called rushees) often wonder what is appropriate to wear. There are a few general guidelines that are helpful as one prepares for sorority recruitment.
Review Campus Panhellenic Website and Printed Materials
Almost all local panhellenic councils will produce a website and/or printed materials that will describe the recruitment process in detail. Included in that material should be guidelines for what to wear at each round of parties. Often they will include pictures of a few women modeling appropriate attire. Many campuses provide a recruitment t-shirt to wear for the first round.
Understanding local expectations is critical since the appropriate level of casualness or dressing up can vary greatly from school to school. What might be fine at one school would be far too casual at another and vice versa. So carefully review any information provided by the panhellenic council.
Dress for Comfort during Sorority Rush
Depending on when recruitment takes place, it could be incredibly hot or cold. On many campuses there is also a great deal of walking involved. It is important to dress in a way that is comfortable both for the weather and for the amount of physical exertion that will be involved. Women often wear walking shoes between parties and carry their good shoes to put on just before going in to the next party.
Dressing for the heat can also be very important in certain parts of the country. When selecting a rush wardrobe, build in a few contingencies just in case the weather doesn't cooperate with the planned attire. Although it might be disappointing to not wear a particular outfit that is just perfect, it is more important to be comfortably dressed for the weather. Being comfortable will mean better conversations and better impressions made.
Wear Something Memorable for Sorority Recruitment
During one day of sorority recruitment, the sorority members will meet dozens and dozens of women. In the early rounds, the parties can speed by and keeping everyone straight can be a challenge. To make an impression, a rushee should wear something memorable that the sorority members will connect with her when they try to remember her and the conversation.
Something memorable doesn't mean something loud or obnoxious! It doesn't mean everyone has to wear Lilly Pulitzer. It also doesn't mean dressing in the colors of the sorority that is loved above all others. It means something that will make an impression. A necklace with a unique pendant that has meaning or a special pair of earrings are simple items that can be memorable. The goal is to stand out in some small way to the sorority members.
Sorority recruitment is such a fun, exciting and potentially stressful time. A potential new member will maximize her chances of success and finding the best sorority if she carefully prepares her rush wardrobe by following basic, common sense guidelines. By being appropriately and comfortably dressed, the rushee will make a great impression and avoid making big mistakes that can lead to not getting a bid at the end of recruitment.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
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