<p>I have spent the entirety of my teenage life in the South, and when I wasn’t at home I was in boarding school in New England. Among the few things both Southerners and New Englanders like, Lilly Pulitzer is definitely up there. </p>
<p>I’m actually quite surprised I didn’t end up in the SEC or ACC - I even had teachers ask if I was bothering to apply to schools above the Mason Dixon when listing my choices this past year! However, for various reasons I ended up choosing USC over some beloved choices like Vandy, UVA, UNC and even my few northern picks (Northwestern, Swarthmore).</p>
<p>Here’s the thing: I know a lot about the SEC, not so much about USC. I plan on going through recruitment at USC, and in some schools in the south, if you want to get into a top sorority basically the ONLY option is to wear Lilly. But I’ve gone through photos of USC game days, which seem really casual, on sorority websites I’ve only spotted one Lilly dress or two among dozens of girls, and it’s not like I’ll be attending Carolina Cup while in LA.</p>
<p>…but still. Should I bother with a few Lilly dresses? For formals, other parties, etc? Does Lilly seem to be a staple in the wardrobe of a Trojan girl, and if so, for what occasions?</p>
<p>NOOOOOOO LILLY! Go to Intermix,bloomingdales…Planet Blue…Shopbop.com</p>
<p>PM me if you need more…my daughter just finished her freshman year and she is in a sorority. The most important thing is to be yourself…but get your nails done for rush! lol</p>
<p>Thanks, Stalkermama! I PMed you. Georgia Girl, ellebud would be a great help right about now haha, I’ve seen many of her posts around here and they always seem really helpful.</p>
<p>SeattleTW: I seem to have chosen a university that is almost the complete opposite of my high school, in some of the best ways possible Size, weather, sports…I loved Exeter, don’t get me wrong, but I’m definitely ready for a change!</p>
<p>Although, I will admit, I did get the occasional shame/guilt/hurt-inducing responses from the teachers and classmates when I revealed my college choice. I have enough faith in these people to believe that they did it out of sheer ignorance and did not mean to be hurtful, but I heard “And is that what really you want to do?” way too many times my senior spring when revealing my college route. Some were astounded I was turning down top LACs and East Coast unis for a California school - sigh, one of the downsides to the prep school bubble. </p>
<p>Granted, I had a LOT of support, well wishes and amazing positive attitudes from those who knew me in artistic capacities and knew what I wanted to study! (screenwriting and creative writing teachers, theater directors, etc) Though, I do wish I could say those heavily outweighed the either nonchalant or shocked attitudes from the rest of the community, but I’m still not sure I can.</p>
<p>Sorry, totally totally off topic, but I have yet to vent about this to anyone besides my family…heh. All I know is that I’m now a proud Trojan, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I’m excited to go off and meet some people who love USC just as much as I do! :D</p>
<p>Stalkermama and I agree: NO Lilly. Save her for Palm Beach. Girls in SoCal are more fashion forward. But for recruitment…sundresses. Sandals with heels. DO NOT wear the capris that they show in the recruitment pamphlet. SC doesn’t do “church appropriate”> Read: really conservative…mid knee…Obviously dress your body type.</p>
<p>Oh, and summer clothes are nearly gone. Run and get clothes for warm weather. While it generally isn’t humid here, August in Los Angeles is HOT.</p>
<p>And no Stalkermama…I am old…you are a young un, but even in my senior moments I remember Candies.</p>
<p>One thing I’m definitely looking forward to: leaving behind the sticky humidity of Atlantic Ocean coastal living.</p>
<p>I’m big on linen sundresses, so I have no shortage of those, but most are to my knees. I might have some trouble with being less conservative - I’m a pearls around my neck everyday kind of girl. Eek. I’ve set aside a chiffon maxi to change things up a bit, though, and a nice (but maybe too conservative) cocktail dress if I get to pref.</p>
<p>What about Tory Burch flats or Jack Rogers sandals? Am I definitely better off with heels than either of the two?</p>
<p>Mama, yes ma’am, I’m an old guy who used to wear topsiders…loved seeing the USC girls biking to classes wearing skirts and Candies!</p>
<p>Meta, you absolutely made the right choice. I have friends who went to Exeter; great school! USC is paradise and you will enjoy studying in the sunshine. Congrats and Fight On!</p>
<p>I know my Tory Burch, Prada, Louboutain, but no Jack Rogers…My girls (not me) wear those high heel Mary Janes (5 inch high), and lots of sandals, wedges…Shorten the dresses. No, the hem should not be just south of Dixie, but above the knee is good.</p>
<p>Also look at USWeekly for what young actresses are wearing to get the vibe of Los Angeles. My girls have pearls but have never worn them. They are currently wearing long necklaces, chunky stuff from JCrew…fun stuff for the days leading up to Pref.</p>
<p>Darn completely forgot about how many USC women wore pearls to class and the overall classiness of the student body. Every woman should own pearls!</p>
<p>First off, let me congratulate you on your choice of school! You will love it especially the weather! I agree with Ellebud, I would not focus my wardrobe on Lilly at all. Yeah some of the girls in sororities and in different houses do own Lilly stuff (bags, planners, etc) but its not a big thing here at USC. Especially not for recruitment.</p>
<p>Do not follow what the pamphlet says because we try to give general guidelines for recruitment outfits. Its not as conservative as it seems. What most girls wear are sundresses or skirts with a cute top and wedges on the first days. Later on they dress it up more and wear heels and more evening type of dresses (pref). The best advice I can give you is do show off your own personal style but don’t go all out completely with Lilly. Its not about brands or anything like that in LA and at USC its more about style and being trendy.</p>
<p>“Its not about brands or anything like that in LA and at USC its more about style and being trendy.”</p>
<p>Is it just me or is this thread a little embarrassing continuing as it has? How about USC for acquiring an education and personal growth? Is this possibly a UCLA prank?</p>
<p>I get that. I’m only half-serious. Just trying to diffuse the snickering by those who want to think of USC circa 1960, instead of the rising academic star it is. </p>
<p>I am all for diversity. How about something from James Perse of BCBG just to be a little daring?</p>
I had those Candies!!</p>
Size, weather, sports…I loved Exeter, don’t get me wrong, but I’m definitely ready for a change!</p>
I see my husband looking out the window. ha</p>