Sorority Recruitment Dress Code Decoded
What to Wear for Each Round of Sorority Recruitment
Hello lovely, Recruitment is coming up, and I know it can be nerve-wracking! One of the best ways to calm those pre-rush jitters is by planning ahead, and starting with your outfits is a fantastic place to begin. Trust me, having your outfits sorted out will make you feel so much more confident and prepared! We broke down each round of recruitment and included a few of our tips on what to wear for rush week!
Understanding Sorority Rush Rounds
Before we dive into the details of each round, it’s important to understand how recruitment works overall and why planning your outfits in advance is crucial. There are four sorority recruitment rounds: Open House, Philanthropy Round, Sisterhood Round, and Preference Round. Each round gets progressively dressier, so you can’t just throw on a few pieces you like the morning of and hope for the best. Plus, recruitment days are loooong. Between getting up early to do your hair and makeup, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast, and meeting your rush group, you won’t have much time to decide on an outfit, let alone struggle to pick one. Also, these long days involve a lot of walking, so having trustworthy and comfortable shoes that fit the dress code is essential. So if it hasn’t been made clear yet, you DEFINITELY want to plan your outfits out. But don’t worry, we've got you covered! We’ve outlined what to expect for each round and provided different outfit ideas, complete with shoes and accessories to ensure you look amazing while following the sorority recruitment dress code.
✨ Sorority Rush: What to Wear ✨
Open House
Welcome to the first round, where you get to meet every house! This round is a bit like speed dating because your time in each house is limited. Don’t be discouraged if your conversations are surface level—these brief interactions are just to get a general idea if there could be a good match. Because this round is so busy, it’s usually split between two days, meaning you’ll need two outfits. Lucky for you, PNMs (Potential New Members) are typically provided with a t-shirt to wear, so you only need to worry about your bottoms, shoes, and any accessories. Since everyone wears the same t-shirt, use your accessories to stand out. And because you’ll be walking A LOT, cute but comfy shoes are a must.
👗 What to Wear: 👗
Bottoms: Jeans, shorts, or skirts that are comfortable and stylish
Shoes: Comfortable sneakers or flats that you can walk in all day
Accessories: This is your chance to shine! Think statement jewelry, colorful scarves, or fun hair accessories that show off your personality
Click to shop our fave picks below:
Philanthropy Round
Next up is Philanthropy Round, where you get to learn about each house’s philanthropies. You’ll hear speeches about their charitable work, do a small craft or activity related to their cause, and have some more in-depth conversations. Compared to Open House, this round is calmer with longer rounds, allowing for deeper discussions. The general rule for your philanthropy round outfit is to dress cute yet casual, like you’re going to a casual brunch with friends. Here are a few of our favorite sorority recruitment dresses!
👗 What to Wear: 👗
Outfit: Jeans and a cute top or a sundress. Something that’s stylish but still comfortable.
Shoes: Sandals or flats that are both chic and comfy for standing and walking
Accessories: Simple and sweet. Think delicate jewelry, a nice watch, or a stylish hat to complete your look
Sisterhood Round
The third round is all about Sisterhood, and it’s one of the most exciting parts because you get to tour the houses. It’s so fun to see where you might live and hear personal stories from the active members. This round is semi-formal, so wear something you’d wear to a birthday dinner or special brunch. Opt for cute heels like kitten heels or wedges, but keep in mind you’ll be walking around the house so comfort is still key.
👗 What to Wear: 👗
Outfit: Semi-formal dresses or sets. Think elegant but not over-the-top.
Shoes: Kitten heels or wedges that are stylish yet practical for walking and standing.
Accessories: Elegant jewelry that can add that extra touch of sophistication.
Preference Round
We’ve finally arrived at the most significant and heartfelt part of recruitment: Preference Round! This is where you narrow down your choices to your final two houses, and it’s a day filled with deep conversations and genuine emotions. You'll likely find yourself chatting with someone you've already met in a previous round, or even a close friend or family member. It's a time for reflecting on your journey and really imagining where you see yourself.
Now, let’s talk about preference round outfits. This round is the dressiest of them all, so you’ll want to bring your A-game in terms of sorority rush fashion. Think cocktail attire, but not the kind you’d wear for a night out on the town. Instead, opt for something elegant and tasteful—imagine you’re going to a classy graduation party or a wedding rehearsal dinner. Your preference round dress should make you feel confident and sophisticated, ready to make a lasting impression.
👗 What to Wear: 👗
Outfit: Choose a cocktail dress that’s stylish yet refined. It should be something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
Shoes: A pair of elegant heels will complement your dress beautifully. Make sure they are comfortable enough to walk and stand in, as you'll be mingling and chatting quite a bit.
Accessories: This is your chance to add a touch of sparkle with sophisticated jewelry. A pair of dainty earrings or a delicate bracelet would be perfect additions.
Bid Day
Congratulations, you made it! Bid Day is one of the most exciting and fun days of the entire recruitment process, so enjoy it to the fullest! Bid day outfits are super easy and really fun. On this day, you’ll typically receive a t-shirt and accessories from your new house that match your Bid Day theme. All you need is a pair of jeans or denim shorts and some comfortable tennis shoes, and you’re good to go.
👗 What to Wear: 👗
Bottoms: Jeans or denim shorts that you can move around in comfortably.
Shoes: Tennis shoes that are perfect for all the fun activities planned.
🛑 What NOT to wear for Sorority Recruitment 🛑
It’s super important to wear outfits that YOU like, however, there are a few styles you should avoid or save for another time. Avoid wearing overly revealing outfits. This can be anything that is super low cut, has a lot of cut outs, or is very tight. A good rule of thumb is “can I wear this to a nice brunch?” and if the answer is no, it may not be the best idea for rush!
By planning your outfits in advance, you’ll be able to focus more on enjoying the recruitment process and less on last-minute wardrobe decisions. Remember, the key is to feel confident, comfortable, and ready to show the best version of yourself.
Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!
