UT Greek Life

Students in Greek Life

The UT Greek Life at UT Austin can be labeled as "stereotypical." For many students involved in a fraternity or sorority, the fashion normally associated with them consists of long t-shirts with nike shorts for women, and khaki shorts paired with Sperry Topsider loafers for men. As I interviewed two individuals from both a fraternity and sorority, I was able to get the inside scoop about how they feel when people judge them by their appearance rather than their personality.

Frat Boys walking in heels. Credentials to Cassie Murdoch. 

Male: Marcos Adam, a sophomore who currently attends UT Austin is involved with one of the many fraternities here at the University. For Marcos, getting ready for a regular school day usually takes about 15 minutes. Because he has no morning classes, Marcos doesn't feel the need to be rushed to get ready. Involved with other organizations such as TSTV Marcos wardrobe stays the same. "Very casual," he says. "I love being comfortable." When asked how he felt about other students who put too much effort/or none at all Marcos said, "I think the amount of effort one puts into their appearance is all up to them, and I respect that."

Sorority girls pose for Round Up. Credentials to Veronica Coringstone. 

Female: Whether it is their XXL t-shirts, neon tennis shoes, hand symbols or nike shorts sorority girls at UT always seem to stand out in crowds. One out of the many girls involved in sororities is a 19 year old junior named Taylor Prewitt. Taylor who decided to keep her sorority name anonymous, says that the amount of time she spends getting ready for school is 15 minutes including hygiene, make up and clothes. Seems like very little time for most girls however, she then adds that this happens only on days when she's running late for class.

"My earliest class is at 10, on days when I have later classes I take my time getting ready," she says. Taylor then says that usually how she dresses for the day always depends on what she has planned out for the entire day.

"I am required to dress up for my Monday sorority meetings" she says, "but usually if I'm studying all day on a Sunday I definitely won't dress up."

Taylor who loves wearing comfortable shorts and t-shirts to school also respects those who devote their time into looking nice and descent for class.

"I absolutely respect people who put a lot of effort into getting ready. I envy them almost. I don't really see how they can look so awesome every single day! I don't think I really notice people who put in no effort but if I did, I don't think I would penalize them for it. I understand that they probably pulled an all night or are worried about something other than their appearance," she says.

Although she doesn't mind what people say about her fashion, Taylor enjoys dressing up during the weekends when going out for dinner and even coffee.

To most sorority girls that I spoke too, but were not interviewed claimed that dressing in t-shirts and nike shorts was something they felt comfortable in especially when the weather was nearly 100 degrees. School to them is about learning and getting an education rather than judging people on what they wear to class.

For another perspective on sorority wear here at Austin, check out this editorial.  Then, check out a differing opinion on the subject here.

Sociological Connection: 

While interviewing the male student, I observed that he sported greek's life typical Sperry shoes and khaki shorts with a regular t-shirt that represented his fraternity name. Majority of men involved with fraternities on campus represent themselves as simply one culture that can be easily differentiated from other groups and organizations. It's one of the many ways to represent themselves, but remain as one group. Taylor also wore her very own t-shirt that portrayed the sorority she was involved in. 

In the book You May Ask Yourself  Dalton Conley provides definitions of both organizational culture and structure meaning that people within an organization tend to share beliefs and behaviors. It's a way to express themselves in order for society to see them as someone who is part of a certain organization.  With that being said, you will more than likely expect majority of male fraternities as well as women fraternities to dress similar. This also ties into another sociological concept of isomorphism. The "Greek Life" in universities tend to end up like one another where you have each frat/sorority wear the same thing, but advertise their own group. 

Erving Goffman and his theory of Impression Management ties into this idea too. Impression management is a goal directly to influence other people not only in daily interactions but appearance and image as well. Being part of the greek life could influence students to dress alike because it has been a tradition that these organizations must establish in order to represent their fraternity and/or sorority. Wearing specific clothing items such as neon tennis shoes, Sperry shoes, nike shorts and big t-shirts is a way to represent student's identities through out campus as a symbol that represents what organization they are personally involved in.

Over all, the UT Greek Life culture for both fraternities and sororities correlate to one another in a way that if one person dresses in a particular way for a service they all have to do so in order to be represented as ONE group/organization. It's a part of their culture to be recognized the same rather than differently. This helps others get a deeper understanding of how their certain organization works both inside and outside their sorority/fraternity house.