“Heels. PRETTY HEELS”: The Pi Phi Plastics, Part 2 of 4
The Pi Phi saga continues! Late last night, we received an email from Pi Phi’s chapter president, telling us that the emailed fashion guide for rushes did not originate within Pi Phi, and that,
Unfortunately, we are not a very fashion-conscious sorority, and we can be seen most days wearing sweatpants around campus.
Sorority girls: they’re just like us! But rush isn’t “most days,” and presumably anyone would want to look good in their own way. But the more stringent requirements of the document:
I’m going to be doing dress checks so have your outfits for each round completely figured out before you get to Ithaca
just don’t jibe with the chapter president’s representation. As to the question of the document’s veracity — it refers by name, and in a complimentary manner, to members of past pledge classes. Rushes, get ready for your dress checks: you better work!
Round III, House Tours: “Business Casual”
Bottoms:
Yes:
- Slacks/Dress Pants: dark gray or black, aka “full length pants of non-jeans material”
- Skirts: pencil *if you must wear a skirt, can’t be “cocktail”, needs to look sharper)
- If wearing a skirt, tights are necessary!
- Dresses: an informal dress with appropriate skirt length.
No:
- Slacks that are too short. It’s my pet peeve.
- Mismatched socks/pants. No “socks” at all–they should be hose material.
Tops:
Yes:
- Blouses
- Oxfords/Button-downs
- Nice sweaters, light material like silks (silk is not satin people).
Shoes:
Yes:
- Heels. PRETTY HEELS.
- Heeled boots if you must.
No:
- “Fuck-Me-Pumps”
- Tacky/cheapo/pleather. Don’t mess with me.
- Note: everyone needs a pair pretty heels and nice slacks in life in general–it’s a good investment.
Round IV, Skit & Philanthropy: Step up from Business Casual, not yet “Cocktail”.. think brunch, somewhere cool and chic.
Bottoms:
Yes:
- Skirts: pencil or nicer.
- Formal slacks
- Dresses: less formal than cocktail, think like lunch party.
No: Same “nos” as above.
Tops:
Yes: Same as above but dressier, more nighttime.
No: ” “
Shoes:
Yes: Same as above but dressier, more nighttime.
I like boots with dresses if they go and look cool together.
No: ” “
Round V, Preference: “Cocktail”
Dresses.
Yes:
- Appropriate knee and sleeve length.
- Winter colors
- Tights
- Shaved legs
No:
- Spaghetti straps.
- Sleeveless–unless you have really good arms.
- Satin. No one looks good in satin dresses unless its from Betsey Johnson or Dolce and Gabbana, you weigh less than 130 pounds, have 3 pairs of spanks on and it’s New Years Eve.
- Cleavage
- Frumpy/maternal/knit
Shoes: Same guidelines as above, but remember this is the nicest round so make sure you’re wearing heels that you could wear to a cocktail party. I like patent leather, I like chunky-er heels that are in fashion right now, and I like boots with dresses as long as they’re ‘right’. Also guys, it’s winter. Put on some tights.
Yes:
- Close Toe
- Peep Toe
- Boots
- Booties if you can pull them off aka probably not.
No:
- Cork
- Strappy
- White
- Summery
Additional Notes on Clothing:
- I’m weird about shoes. So please do it right.
- I’m going to be doing dress checks so have your outfits for each round completely figured out before you get to Ithaca.
- If you do not know if something is appropriate/works, email me a picture of it and I shall discuss things with you.
Erp! As one of the Jezebel commenters rightly noted, this was likely a guide for sorority sisters already in the club, not for freshman pledges — in order to present a “united front” of sorts. More or less troubling? Hard to say. It’s still hilarious to us, though.
