Dear PNMs,
With just over 50 days until Bid Day, it’s time to start looking for your outfits. The weeks before we each went through recruitment, we remember scrolling endlessly on Pinterest to piece together our Philanthropy, Sisterhood, and Preference outfits — it’s one of the most exciting parts of this season of life! In this blog, we pinned on our own boards to give you some inspiration.
Before we get into our picks, we should note that you shouldn’t feel pressured to buy an entire new wardrobe for this week — dressing and accessorizing according to your personal style is the most important part to staying authentic, so make use of items you already love in your closet. Each of our rounds have a different dress code, so as you’re doing your online shopping or rummaging through your own closet, look for items that match the guidelines.
Keep reading for some picks from our resident fashion girl and Vice President of Communications Sydnei Banks, Blog Editor-in-Chief Shreya Vaidhyanathan, and Blog Editors Madison Taylor and Victoria Serrano.
Our styles
Before we jump right into the outfit inspiration, we thought we would give y’all some insight into our own personal styles to give you a better idea of how we dress!
Sydnei: My style is more on the eclectic side of things! I like to dopamine dress, meaning that I like to mix it up at times, but always resort to putting on an outfit that makes me happy! I am very much into bright saturated colors, statement pieces, and the ultimate maximization of preppiness.
Shreya: I love bright colors and intentional accessories! My closet itself is full of basics I wear often — more often than not, I’m wearing the same gold necklace, cowboy boots, and jeans — but lately I’m having more fun with bracelets and belts.
Madi: My personal style is a little bit all over the place (just like the organization level of my closet), but I love wearing a statement piece complemented with a basic to complete any outfit — whether that's a fun skirt with a white tank or a bright top and jeans!
Victoria: My personal style includes a lot of basics with some polka and stripes. You’ll never see me without some sort of pattern on!
Opening Convocation & Open House
Recruitment is finally starting — the best time of year! For Convocation and Open House, the dress code is the most casual of all the rounds since you will not be meeting active members. Plan for leisurely athletic clothes that you’ll be comfortable wearing in the Austin heat.
Sydnei: I like to say that Opening Convocation and Open House are the rounds that you get to prepare for the week ahead of getting dressed up. These are the days for you to wear the cute everyday athletic clothes that you would wear to run an errand. Personally, I wouldn’t even mind wearing a nice basic tee and linen shorts (from Brandy, of course) with my flip flops. Just please, for your own sake, do not dress to look cute; you are going to instantly regret that once you have to walk to all 13 houses in the blazing Texas heat. On the other hand, bring a sweatshirt with you because the UTC does tend to get a bit frigid after sitting in there for a hot second.
Shreya: Breathable, supportive, and comfortable are key to choosing the right outfits for these rounds. I would pair your current favorite tennis dress with a comfortable tennis shoe you know and love. I personally love athletic dresses with thicker straps and pockets, perfect for your lip gloss and dorm keys. You’ll hear your Rho Gam say this, but don’t forget a light sweatshirt or cardigan for the indoor portion of Open House — air conditioning is always on full blast during an Austin summer.
Madi: It's really easy to spiral and overthink all of your recruitment outfits (trust me, we have ALL been there), but Open House day is a day for you to sit back, relax, and learn more about each sorority through their open house videos. I wore a matching athletic skirt set, and it was perfect for the walking tour my Rho Gam took my group on afterwards!
Victoria: When it comes to an introduction, I like to keep it classy and comfortable! Even though I can sometimes be the most talkative person in a room, I was nervous, but never be afraid to make the first introduction. I still talk to some of the girls I sat next to! I think it would be so cute and fun to see dainty jewelry and athletic accessories being paired with the sets! Something as simple as layering your necklaces or even adding a cute headband, which is something I find myself wearing constantly to this day.
Philanthropy
This round is centered around a chapter’s values and the causes they support, and it’s also the first time you’re going into houses and meeting actives. Practically speaking, it’s also the most physically demanding day of recruitment. Because Panhellenic provides your shirts for the round, the real styling comes down to your bottoms and accessories. Please keep in mind that you’re visiting the most houses of any round, sometimes back-to-back with little downtime in between. Opt for sandals, boots, flats, or a dressier tennis shoe — comfort isn't just a preference here, it's a necessity.
Sydnei: Philanthropy Round is the time for you to make a good first impression, more importantly through conversations and interactions, but with your outfit too! I would highly recommend going with something bright and fun that has a pattern or texture to it! You can never go wrong with tailored shorts, especially if you are not a skirt girly — I have always loved how they fit the waist snug, but flare out just a little more towards the bottom. One thing to note for recruitment specifically is to make sure they are fingertip length! Also, don’t be afraid to dress up your outfit with some fun jewelry! I have loved chunky beaded necklaces and even bolo ties recently; they can spice up the outfit and show off your style in an additional way! I wore dressier sneakers during this round and didn’t regret it for a second! It not only tied the casualness of the shirt in with the craziness of my skirt, but also kept my feet super comfortable for the duration of the first two days (trust me when I say this, your feet will be tired by the end of the week, so don’t go too hard by wearing heels before you even reach Preference Round).
Shreya: Don’t feel limited by the shirt Panhellenic provides you for this round; it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity! I went with a casual floral maxi skirt and a satin patterned midi for my two Philanthropy days, and paired them both with chunkier bangles to accessorize. I’d encourage you to play around with different skirt lengths and types of jewelry — you can’t go wrong with a hand chain, layered necklaces, or some rings.
Madi: I wholeheartedly believe comfort comes before everything else on Philo day — there's nothing worse than tugging at a hemline or readjusting your top from house to house. I wore an asymmetrical skirt when I went through recruitment and it was an instant convo starter . Finding a skirt that showcases your personal style while still feeling good on your body in the Texas heat is doable, I promise!
Victoria: I remember when I went through Philanthropy, I remember seeing so many girls in cute skirts, but I never thought of myself as a skirt girl. I bought one for the first time and absolutely loved it! Even though I went the skirt route, I also admire fun shorts with lace or a unique design that adds a little extra flair to a staple item. Even if you aren’t into patterns, try a different color you might not always reach for. Plus, it’s a good statement piece to go along with your recruitment shirt.
Sisterhood
Sisterhood is all about the bonds between the girls in each chapter — the relationships, inside jokes, and everyday friendships that make a chapter feel like home. Starting to consider whether a chapter is the right fit requires an outfit you feel good in. For this round, we recommend brunch attire. Think dresses, dressier matching sets, and elevated shoes like platforms, flats, and kitten heels. Just like you’ll click with your chapter, you’ll know it when you’ve found your Sisterhood dress.
Sydnei: Sisterhood was my absolute favorite round of recruitment! I would recommend dressing on the spunkier side to match the energy of the round! I was never a floral pattern girl coming into college, but once I got to Sisterhood round, it immediately made me want to wear a dress that looked like a flower bomb exploded all over it (I changed my dress on the second day to one with florals). If patterns scare you, wear a dress with bright colors, and pair it with a statement kitten heel. You can also totally wear fun jewelry for this round too! Some statement necklace styles that are pretty right now are wrap necklaces, bib necklaces, and chunky chained necklaces.
Shreya: Sisterhood round of recruitment is so much fun! You’ll be laughing and having a blast, so pick a dress you can move around in. I lean towards solid colored mini dresses and polished matching sets that have layered lace, pleats, or frills. I love a good wedge heel, and this round is a good time to pull those out. You’ll basically be wearing something you’d style for a graduation party or nicer lunch. Have fun with it!
Madi: This is my favorite round because it's such a fun, lighthearted day spent celebrating what, in the end, brings us all together — sisterhood and friendship. Think “brunch with the girls” vibes: a dress that feels effortless but still you. If I were going through recruitment this year, I'd lean toward dresses with fun textures for this round especially — think floral appliqués, ruffled hems, embroidery, or a touch of lace. They capture that same joyful, easygoing feeling that defines the round.
Victoria: I loved this round because I really got to show off my personality in how I dress. I absolutely love the look of a fun, bright, and colorful pattern — anything to do with puffy sleeves, ruffles, bright floral patterns, and everything in between! I want to see lots of ruffles and colors this recruitment season, so have fun with what you pick. When it comes to shoes, I'm already as tall as is, so I like to go for a pair of stylish flats or a light heel that’s easy to walk in.
Preference
This is the most formal round of recruitment, and while you’re not in black-tie gowns, you should stick to dressier options. Think “cocktail attire,” like maxi and mini semi-formal dresses — we also recommend heels to go with your outfit.
Sydnei: The first mistake I made as a PNM during this round is that I wore black — that was a myth as I came into recruitment, and as the first generation of my family to do so, I genuinely did not know differently. While wearing black is not the worst choice to make, just know you have other options! A thick, colorful, classy satin dress for this round would look amazing, especially if there was some sort of 3-dimensional texture added to the dress. These rounds are typically later in the day, so do not be afraid to wear a maxi dress. While I have been preaching to wear fun statement jewelry for this round, your “everyday” dainty jewelry could be just as perfect to wear with your nicer heels!
Shreya: My favorite part of my Preference outfit were my studded heels. As a 5’3” girl myself, getting to pair a beautiful pair of shoes with my dress made this round feel so intentional and fun. I’d recommend wearing a dress you feel beautiful in, and not to be afraid of wearing color, interesting dress styles, and mixing up your jewelry.
Madi: I always lean into a higher-cut silhouette for Pref, think a halter neckline. Have fun with your color palette too; it doesn't have to be black! I wore a blue dress for my Pref round and loved it.
Victoria: With Preference, I like to go for a classy and elegant look while still throwing in something colorful. I remember my dress was black, and I had little ribbons coming down on each side, which added something extra to it. I think dresses that have a mini scarf accessory are beautiful. Although having a single-color dress is cute, even throwing in a flower pattern in a smooth material dress looks just as elegant. Even if you do want to stick with a single color, add something in like a mini scarf or another special add-on, as I had!
Bid Day!
Also known as BDE (Best Day Ever)! You should be wearing something loose and breathable and shoes that are comfortable to run home in. Whether it’s a romper, two-piece set, or sundress, you cannot go wrong with a summery dress. Get excited!
Sydnei: BID DAY IS MY FAVORITE DAY EVER! The recent term “Shift Dress” has arisen again right in time for Bid Day to come around this year. I would recommend this style, or a two-piece set, as you will be running a pretty far distance from the spot that you open your bids from (I will also be running with you, so you will in fact catch me in a shift dress as well). Pair it with comfortable sneakers that you're completely confident won't cause blisters, even after hours of running, jumping, and dancing.
Shreya: Bid Day is literally MAGICAL. It’s the perfect payoff to a sometimes stressful week and the beginning of one of the best decisions you’ll make in your life, ever. I thank my lucky stars every day that I wore my white Converse on my Bid Day! You’re running straight from an on-campus location to your new home, which can be up to a 20-minute journey. I also wore a pair of athletic shorts under my dress my year, which made changing into my Bid Day jersey way easier! Don’t make the heat harder on yourself by wearing a heavy or itchy dress — like Sydnei said, I’ll also be running back with y’all this year, and I can guarantee I’ll be wearing a cotton maxi dress.
Madi: I am obsessed with the recent shift to wearing cute floral sundresses on bid day, but please please please wear shoes you feel comfortable running home in. You will be in them all night long!!! Also, unfortunately speaking from experience, I would avoid a strapless dress — you’ll want something secure for all the running, hugging, and jumping around with your new sisters!
Victoria: I literally remember how amazing Bid Day was, and the feeling of getting to run home is something that my mom and I talk about a lot, so cherish every moment. I definitely was a girl who wore shorts underneath my dress cause it overall just made me more comfortable. I also wore some basic white sneakers cause yes- you run. I really love the look of flowy athletic dresses because not only does it elevate the overall look of the athletic dress, but it gives more room for movement, so seeing more of that would be absolutely adorable. Plus, you’ll need to be comfortable to run and hug your new sisters!
We hope reading this gave you some ideas for your recruitment outfits! We’re so excited for you this recruitment season — have fun with it, and be sure to follow Texas Panhellenic on all platforms for inspiration and advice all summer.
All our love,
Sydnei, Shreya, Madison, & Victoria