OUTFIT GUIDE #5 FOR SORORITY RECRUITMENT
A lot of potential new members obsess over their outfits. They think their outfits help them get a bid and stand out. I want to let you in on a secret. Your outfits do not play a major role in your score during sorority recruitment. Wearing a Gucci belt, Golden Goose sneakers, or a Cartier LOVE bracelet will not help you get a bid.
When you pick out your outfits, you do not want to wear something different to stand out. For example, if everyone wears skirts, you do not want to be the one woman wearing jeans. When picking out your outfits, your goal is to dress similarly to the members.
Why is it important to look similar to the sorority members?
In Invisible Influence by Jonah Berger, he explains why we are drawn to similar people through the following situation. Imagine you go to a party with your best friend. Once you get inside, she says, “Everyone here is so nice. Go up and talk to someone. I am going to go to the bathroom.” You do not want to appear unsocial in the corner on your phone. You have seconds to decide which group you want to go and talk to. There are three groups:
Group one: Two individuals wearing all black. Black shirt, black pants, black hat, and black shoes.
Group two: Two individuals dressed in hiking gear.
Group three: Two individuals who are dress identical to you.
Who will you talk to?
Most likely, group three – the group that looks just like you look.
Why do you talk to them over the other groups?
In a quick second, when you have to make a decision, you look for similarities. You assume if they are dressed like me, we most likely have other things in common too.
The same idea applies to sorority recruitment. The members look for women who are similar to them. They know similar women will be able to find friends and have a good experience. When the members meet a potential new member for the first time, the first thing they look to see if you are similar to them is what you are wearing.
I recruited for three years for my sorority. One year, a potential new member wore a 1950’s poodle skirt for the required t-shirt round. I remember thinking, “Wow! I bet she is great, but she is soooo different than us. She would be a better fit in ABC.”
When a member meets you for the first time, you do not want her to say that. If she says that, you will be dropped. You want to make it an easy yes for them! “Yes! She is just like us! She dresses like us! She is great!”
Do your outfits matter?
Most potential new members dress nice enough to get a bid. The members want their new members to look presentable and wear clothing that shows off their style.
Here is how your outfits play into your score
The members use your outfits to remember you or as a way to help their sisters remember who you are. Example. A member talked to 4 potential new members. She remembers one of the girls was named Kelly, and one of the girls was named Brooke. She cannot remember which one was Shelby or which one was Anna. She asks her sorority sister, “What color dress was Anna wearing?” The sister says, “Anna was wearing blue.” Then, she remembers, "Anna was nice. However, I did not learn enough about her to determine if she would be a good fit for the sorority." The member gives Anna an average score.
HOW DO YOU DRESS SIMILARLY TO THE MEMBERS?
STEP #1. Look at your college's Panhellenic website to see if there is an outfit guide.
The guide needs to be from the year you are going through sorority recruitment OR the year before.
DO NOT USE AN OUTFIT GUIDE FROM THREE YEARS AGO.
STEP #2. Find several sororities that you think would be good fits for you based on their Instagram photos.
STEP #3. What are the members wearing?
STEP #4. Plan your outfits. What are you going to wear for each round?
You can pull things from your closet or buy new things.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can you wear one-shoulder tops and dresses? Can you wear a strapless dress?
Yes! You are more than welcome to wear a strapless dress or a one-shoulder dress/top.
Are you allowed to wear designer clothes, shoes, or jewelry?
Absolutely! If you have a Tiffany necklace you wear every day, wear it. The sorority will not penalize you for wearing anything designer.
HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF OUTFITS TO WEAR FOR MOST COLLEGES
ROUND ONE
Some colleges require you to wear a t-shirt for this round.
OUTFIT IDEAS
ROUND Two
Some colleges require you to wear a t-shirt for this round.
OUTFIT IDEAS
ROUND Three
Some colleges require you to wear a t-shirt for this round.
OUTFIT IDEAS
Pref round
OUTFIT IDEAS
Required T-shirt round
TIPS FOR OUTFITS FOR SORORITY RECRUITMENT
Wear what you are most confident in
Wear something that allows the members to remember you -- a color, jewelry, shoes, etc.
Make sure your shoes are broken in -- you do not want to get blisters, trust me it’s terrible!
Pick out all your outfits before sorority recruitment starts
Don’t show too much skin
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DO YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK HELP YOU STAND OUT OR GAIN RUSH CRUSH STATUS DURING SORORITY RECRUITMENT?
When you depend on Youtube and TikTok for advice, you prepare like everyone else. When you look like everyone else, you do not stand out. If a sorority can only invite back 30% of all PNMs, how will you show them that you deserve to be in the top 30%?
Instead of using advice and being the Overlooked Potential New Member, you want to use a step-by-step plan to gain Rush Crush status -- stand out, have options, and run home to a sorority you love. Click the video below to see how CRUSH [sorority recruitment coaching] can help you create and implement your plan.
You have a math test in two weeks that is worth 90% of your grade for the class. You want to get an A. You are looking for guidance on how to get your A.
First, you ask a friend, not in your math class, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She says, “You need to study.” This answer leaves you frustrated.
Then, you ask your teacher, “How do I get an A+ on my test?” She gives you a step-by-step plan.
Who was more helpful?
Your teacher, right?
To get an A, you need to know the right information and have a step-by-step plan.
To get a bid to a sorority you love, you have to communicate you are the right fit for the sorority before and during sorority recruitment. A step-by-step plan tells you how and when to communicate.
BUT… why do so many women going through sorority recruitment ONLY use the advice they find on Youtube and TikTok? Does it help them stand out and get a bid?
Click the video below to see how The Ultimate Guide to Sorority Recruitment can help you create and implement your plan.