“Put a Bangle On Instead”: The Pi Phi Plastics, Part 3 of 4

by | January 24, 2010 at 8:43 pm

PRETTY HEELSOur little scoop has caught some national attention (here too!). No wonder the Pi Phi President hung up on us today! Well, just remember, Pi Phis, no publicity is bad publicity — with a few notable exceptions.

To that end, here’s part three of the Pi Phi ladies’ fashion manifesto: accessories. The first two installments were relatable, in a Legally Blonde way: this rush chair just wanted everyone to look pretty. Which is good! We like pretty. As one commenter on a previous post said:

She is straightforward, not superficial and catty. She’s trying to bring the sisters to their fullest potential. How many times have you seen someone wearing something that does not flatter them at all? Like a girl whose stomach is falling out all over the top of her jeans?

Um, sure, okay. No fat chicks! We’ll co-sign the “fullest potential” part, at least. And apparently their guidelines are meant to make them look like successful businesswomen? Quoth another commenter:

these guidelines are just like guidelines you can find online about proper business wear

Right, because Ivy League students need to go on something called “online” to find guides for how to look businesslike. Without Wikipedia, I’d wear my belt around my forehead and my socks on my ears! I’d certainly never know, without the Pi Phis’ newsletter, that “charm anything” is gauche, because “we aren’t 5.” (That is, “unless I say it’s beautiful”!)

Yes, when it comes to accessories, our beloved rush chair — half Becky Sharp, half Cruella de Vil — uses the repeated “I’m weird about” construction to make sure everyone looks exactly like her. Don’t believe us? Check the part where she tells her sisters not to wear watches, despite the fact that watches, unlike “celebration rings,” are utilitarian:

Nothing that has indiglo or a timer on it is going to be present so forget it. I will have the time and keep you informed.

When is it time to drink the Kool-Aid, House Bunny? More pizzazz after the jump!

ACCESSORIES.

  • Accessories: I expect EVERYONE to be wearing accessories. This is an important part of every outfit and can make or break many ensembles.
    • Earrings:
      • Yes:
        • Studs: diamond or pearls or something that’s just adorable.
        • Huggies
        • Hoops: Sparkly or gold or silver. Not tooooo big.
        • Something hippie-chic and cool.
      • No:
        • Chandaliers.
        • Obnoxious piercings.
        • Feathers (I know I’m just saying)
        • Neon/plastic.
    • Necklaces:
      • Yes:
        • Pendents.
        • Coins
        • Pearls
        • Statement
      • No:
        • Plastic
        • Chokers
        • Ribbon overkill
        • More than 2
    • Bangles/Bracelets:
      • Yes:
        • Bangles (coordinating or at least looking like they do)
        • Bracelets ” “
      • No:
        • Plastic
        • Overkill
        • Charm anything we aren’t 5 unless I say it’s beautiful
        • Neon
    • Watches: Another thing I’m weird about. Nothing that has indiglo or a timer on it is going to be present so forget it. I will have the time and will keep you informed so unless your watch is a piece of jewelry you don’t need it. Put a bangle on instead.
    • Rings: Yes yes yes.
      • Yes:
        • Statement
        • Cocktail
        • Class
        • Celebration
        • Vintage
      • No:
        • Mood
        • Chain
        • Forever 21
        • Wooden
        • Plastic
  • Additional Notes on Accessories:
    • I’m also weird about accessories. I’m not saying you have to be wearing the Harry Winston wreath for me to like it, but I am saying I will not tolerate any gross plastic shizzz. Remember: less is more. I love things on wrists, and I demand earrings if your ears are pierced. However, as usual, use common sense–If you are wearing a statement necklace, you can’t wear “statement” earrings. Keep things coordinated, simple, pretty, and fashionable. Remember, if you don’t know, ASK! That’s what I’m here for!
 
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  • orange eater

    You get rid of the watches for a reason… When you’re talking to someone boring or you just don’t want to be there — and you want to get the heck out, you’ll keep staring / playing with your watch.

  • orange eater

    You get rid of the watches for a reason… When you’re talking to someone boring or you just don’t want to be there — and you want to get the heck out, you’ll keep staring / playing with your watch.

  • Millie

    As a PiPhi alum (from a different school), Ill just go ahead and tell you that the reason you need to “put a bangle on” rather than a watch is because sisters arent allowed to wear watches during rush. Why?
    1. (Real Reason) It keeps you from inappropriately looking at your watch when youre talking to a completely horrible person that makes you panic like mad. Rush chairs wont let you wear watches for this actual reason. Its rude.
    2. (True Reason) It doesnt matter anyways because time is of no consequence during rush when youre in a room full of far too many people for far too many hours all day every day. Dont even want to know.

  • Millie

    As a PiPhi alum (from a different school), Ill just go ahead and tell you that the reason you need to “put a bangle on” rather than a watch is because sisters arent allowed to wear watches during rush. Why?
    1. (Real Reason) It keeps you from inappropriately looking at your watch when youre talking to a completely horrible person that makes you panic like mad. Rush chairs wont let you wear watches for this actual reason. Its rude.
    2. (True Reason) It doesnt matter anyways because time is of no consequence during rush when youre in a room full of far too many people for far too many hours all day every day. Dont even want to know.

  • Willie

    @Millie

    wtf is a “real” vs “true” reason? when most people use this format for their responses, they present a “stated” and a “real” reason. good job piphi

  • Willie

    @Millie

    wtf is a “real” vs “true” reason? when most people use this format for their responses, they present a “stated” and a “real” reason. good job piphi

  • asdf

    @Willie, I had the same reaction to Millie, but I think her “real reason” is the real reason and her “true reason” is the stated reason.

  • asdf

    @Willie, I had the same reaction to Millie, but I think her “real reason” is the real reason and her “true reason” is the stated reason.

  • ugh

    Why can’t this Rush chair spell? (Or even use a spellchecker?) Is this what Cornell is like?

  • ugh

    Why can’t this Rush chair spell? (Or even use a spellchecker?) Is this what Cornell is like?

  • y’12

    I’m no one with much love for sororities, but this seems like overkill. Hasn’t it been established that this was an email instructing current members on what to wear for the rush events? Doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch to me. It would be annoying and plastic-y if it was for freshmen, sure, but it doesn’t seem to be. Events have dress codes and she wants them to present a unified front that involves everyone looking nice. Big whoop. Okay, so there’s some size-ism going on, and it’s really specific about the caliber of outfits, but if they can pay dues and have done this before then they probably have the type of wardrobe suited for these guidelines.

    Is this environment one I would necessarily want to join as a pledge, now that this is exposed? That’s a different matter. But some girls dig it. So…

  • y’12

    I’m no one with much love for sororities, but this seems like overkill. Hasn’t it been established that this was an email instructing current members on what to wear for the rush events? Doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch to me. It would be annoying and plastic-y if it was for freshmen, sure, but it doesn’t seem to be. Events have dress codes and she wants them to present a unified front that involves everyone looking nice. Big whoop. Okay, so there’s some size-ism going on, and it’s really specific about the caliber of outfits, but if they can pay dues and have done this before then they probably have the type of wardrobe suited for these guidelines.

    Is this environment one I would necessarily want to join as a pledge, now that this is exposed? That’s a different matter. But some girls dig it. So…

  • TG

    I read the list o’ requirements to be Pi Phi Phit on IvyGate and have a few comments in response (ahem):
    1. What the hell are “huggie” earrings? I’d like to think I’m fairly hip but wouldn’t be caught dead with diapers on my ears.
    2. Spellcheck is a beautiful thing…..chandaliars? (is this SNL?) pendents?
    3. Put a bangle on it? Hmm….sounds like this girl has been listening to Beyonce waaaaaaay too much and has replaced “ring” with “bangle”
    4. It’s a good thing watches are banned…lest I accidentally strangle one of the girls with my watchstrap. …

  • TG

    I read the list o’ requirements to be Pi Phi Phit on IvyGate and have a few comments in response (ahem):
    1. What the hell are “huggie” earrings? I’d like to think I’m fairly hip but wouldn’t be caught dead with diapers on my ears.
    2. Spellcheck is a beautiful thing…..chandaliars? (is this SNL?) pendents?
    3. Put a bangle on it? Hmm….sounds like this girl has been listening to Beyonce waaaaaaay too much and has replaced “ring” with “bangle”
    4. It’s a good thing watches are banned…lest I accidentally strangle one of the girls with my watchstrap. …

  • Haywood Jablomee

    Sororities are like this all over the country. Nothing new…Superficial girls with power are actually this catty in real life too. As a Cornell student I can totally relate to this story because the girls are actually like that. Rush SDT!!

  • Haywood Jablomee

    Sororities are like this all over the country. Nothing new…Superficial girls with power are actually this catty in real life too. As a Cornell student I can totally relate to this story because the girls are actually like that. Rush SDT!!

  • Jennifer

    Pi Beta Phi (Pi Phi) is known as one of the “Best” sororities, having a GPA above most campuses overall sorority averages and non-greek GPAs. Pi Phi alums include Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Garner and 3 Miss Americas. My mother, sister, and cousins are in sororities, Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Pi. All had “dress codes” during “rush” or membership recruitment. Pi Phi at Cornell has the reputation of being diverse, with a lot of athletes. At my school, many were beautiful, tall, blond, wealthy WASPs, which is their “stereotype” and one that some of their “competitors” share. The reality is that all sororities are different at each campus and every one I mentioned above is strong. I am an alumna of a sorority and 20 years later, I still have friends, who were my bridesmaids, godmothers, and assistants as we helped a sister through to her death from cancer. How many can say that about their college friends? I am amazed at the anger and rudeness of some of these posters. I believe this is a hoax, because some women who didn’t get into Pi Phi or other sororities still have serious resentment problems. Anger management is an idea!

  • Jennifer

    Pi Beta Phi (Pi Phi) is known as one of the “Best” sororities, having a GPA above most campuses overall sorority averages and non-greek GPAs. Pi Phi alums include Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Garner and 3 Miss Americas. My mother, sister, and cousins are in sororities, Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Pi. All had “dress codes” during “rush” or membership recruitment. Pi Phi at Cornell has the reputation of being diverse, with a lot of athletes. At my school, many were beautiful, tall, blond, wealthy WASPs, which is their “stereotype” and one that some of their “competitors” share. The reality is that all sororities are different at each campus and every one I mentioned above is strong. I am an alumna of a sorority and 20 years later, I still have friends, who were my bridesmaids, godmothers, and assistants as we helped a sister through to her death from cancer. How many can say that about their college friends? I am amazed at the anger and rudeness of some of these posters. I believe this is a hoax, because some women who didn’t get into Pi Phi or other sororities still have serious resentment problems. Anger management is an idea!

  • Myrth

    Jennifer: Do you have a job? Have you ever had a job? Did you ever work before or during college? It sounds like you come from a long line of spoiled girls, so your perception on life is questionable. I’m guessing that you are about the same age as I, and at the mere age of pushing 40, most everyone has been through some sort of trauma with friends and loved ones dying. Sororities don’t hold the monopoly on this one. As well, I know many non-Greeks that had a far better GPA’s, and I am positive that there are many famous and/or successful non-Greeks in the world today. The sick reality is that paying for friendships and alliances is the American way. (And, what is up with the “WASP” thing? I guess stereotyping is in your nature.) We successful, hard-working, non-Greek with high GPA’s will keep on keeping on without the obligation of paying for our friends. Do you know Bush?

  • Myrth

    Jennifer: Do you have a job? Have you ever had a job? Did you ever work before or during college? It sounds like you come from a long line of spoiled girls, so your perception on life is questionable. I’m guessing that you are about the same age as I, and at the mere age of pushing 40, most everyone has been through some sort of trauma with friends and loved ones dying. Sororities don’t hold the monopoly on this one. As well, I know many non-Greeks that had a far better GPA’s, and I am positive that there are many famous and/or successful non-Greeks in the world today. The sick reality is that paying for friendships and alliances is the American way. (And, what is up with the “WASP” thing? I guess stereotyping is in your nature.) We successful, hard-working, non-Greek with high GPA’s will keep on keeping on without the obligation of paying for our friends. Do you know Bush?

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  • Don Ro

    Before she was my wife shewas a Pi Phi pledge but got “tagged” for liking Jim and Jack too much which put her in the mood to like the guys who were pinned to the sorority members. She was “tagged” by the sorority so the fraternity pledges would know which girl to zero in on and try to knock up. The sorority plan worked to perfection, and we raised the results of her long weekend with 35-40 fraternity pledge class members who got to know her intimately !