Our Favorite Sorority Rush Outfit Ideas and Tips
Sorority rush is a fun and exciting event that’s eagerly anticipated by many college students because of the opportunities it presents. So if you’re reading this blog with the intention of participating in one, congratulations! You’re on the path of creating some wonderful memories and making lifelong friends!
Depending on your chapter, your rush week can last from one to two weeks and it’s important that you’re prepared to dress your best during this time. Your sorority recruitment outfit isn’t the sole determining factor for you getting a bid but it does have a major role to play in getting you noticed. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite sorority rush outfits that you can rock during this rush week to stand out. Let’s dive in!
Outfit Ideas for Every Round of Sorority Rush
Most sorority recruitment processes consist of four rounds with each round lasting a day or two. This means you don’t have a lot of time to get to know each member individually. That’s why your rush week outfits need to do a lot of talking each day.
Your first order of business should be to go through your college’s Panhellenic website and figure out whether there’s a dress code for sorority rush outfits or not. Many colleges offer official t-shirts that have to be worn on some days or throughout the rush week. If you don’t see any such requirements for sorority recruitment outfits, then here are our recommendations for each round!
Round 1: Open House
The Open House round is also known as “Ice Water” where you’ll be taken to each chapter one by one for an official introduction. For this round, you need to dress up a bit but not too much. You’ll have to do a lot of walking throughout the day so comfort should be one of your top priorities besides looking cute.
We recommend wearing light summer sorority rush outfits like flowy rompers, dresses, or boutique skirts and shorts paired with trendy crop tops—something you’d wear to a picnic or a brunch. A flowy sleeveless romper with flat sandals and a sunhat is one of the chicest looks you can go for. In case your college requires you to wear an official T-shirt for this round, you can achieve the same look with some shorts or skirts. Accessorize your sorority rush outfit with light jewelry like hoop earrings and a chain necklace.
Round 2: Philanthropy Day
During Philanthropy Day or “Service Day” you’ll get to learn more about each chapter’s values, the social contributions they’ve made, and the causes they’re passionate about so you can determine which one’s a good fit for you. This round is typically the most casual out of all and you’re likely to receive a t-shirt from your college to wear for this.
You can dress up your official sorority rush outfit with a skirt or a pair of boutique shorts. We recommend going for crochet-knit shorts and skirts to subtly stand out because these are so in right now. But distressed denim is always a classic choice that you can opt for as well! Finish the look with some chunky sneakers and throw on a pair of statement earrings to add some bling to your sorority recruitment outfit.
Round 3: Sisterhood
The Sisterhood round is where you’ll get more in-depth information about each sorority through a house tour and a recruitment video that explains the sisterhood’s values and what they look for in new members. This will help you narrow down your choices even more. For this round, you’ll want to be a little more dressed up and put together than round one. You want to look serious for this round so your sorority rush outfit needs to have a touch of elegance and formality—not too much though because that’s best kept for the final round.
For this round, we recommend choosing a knee-length dress. Think rush week outfits that you can wear even to your friend’s birthday party. Go for unique details like ruching, twill, or tweed patterns in elegant silhouettes. Pick fancier statement jewelry to complement your outfit and feel free to finally take out those cute heels.
Round 4: Preference Night
The final round of any sorority rush, the Preference Night, is your last chance to strike up conversations with the remaining sororities and express your interest in joining them. You’ll likely be choosing between two or a maximum of three sororities on this day, so you’ll want to leave a lasting impression with your sorority rush outfit.
Go all out for this round and look for fancy party dresses online because everyone else will be doing the same. You wouldn’t want to play it safe here or you’ll risk blending in. You can go for a floor-length dress if you want but you can create just as much of an impact with a mini dress in a bold hot pink color spiced up with statement jewelry and party shoes.
Tips for Sorority Recruitment Outfits
Stick to Modest Styles
While the rush week is a chance to dress up and stand out, it’s always best to avoid flashy or revealing sorority rush outfits that can distract others. Pick styles that are comfortable and express your seriousness about joining a sorority.
Prepare Your Outfits Beforehand
Dressing up for important events can be a task and rush week is hectic enough already. Plan your outfits well in advance to avoid last-minute panic and indecision!
Wear Memorable Clothing
For receiving a successful bid, the key is to look approachable. There’s not a lot of time for everyone to get to know each other, so be mindful and pick styles/colors that will make it easy for others to remember and recall you.
On-Trend Sorority Rush Outfits
Now that you have a general idea of what you should be wearing for each round of the rush process, set the wheels in motion and begin your search for the perfect sorority recruitment outfits. At our online women's clothing boutique, we have the season’s hottest boutique and designer styles for you to choose from. And we’ve got you covered head to toe with our range of clothing, accessories, and shoes. So start browsing for your favorite rush week outfits now!