The White Dress Tradition
The Office of Alumnae Affairs and Annual Giving, in conjunction
with the Archives, has compiled this document to inform current
students, alumnae and members of the campus community of
the history and traditions associated with the wearing of
white dresses to official Spelman College activities associated
with Founders Day, Commencement, Reunion and New Student
Orientation Induction, among others. Additionally, it provides
guidelines and resources to assist students and alumnae in
understanding and complying with this tradition.
WHAT IS THE "WHITE DRESS TRADITION"?
Spelman College proudly maintains a significant balance
between acknowledging our time-honored traditions and establishing
new and beneficial opportunities to forward the institutional
mission and vision into the 21st century and beyond. The
wearing of white dresses on designated official occasions
is among the most well-respected and treasured of the College’s
traditions.
The
obligatory commitment for each Spelman student to have a “respectable
and conservative” white dress was established around
1900. During this period, a white dress was the attire most
often used for formal occasions. This tradition established
a uniformed appearance among those present and denoted the
significance of the occasion or event. Prior to the 1940s
the white dress was worn with hosiery made of cotton. However
with the invention of nylons came beige and tan colored stockings.
These stockings, referred to as "flesh-toned,” were
worn with black shoes. Black shoes were a part of the basic
clothing requirements for Spelman students which consisted
of having a pair of “sensible black shoes.”
This recommendation
was made in an effort to avoid overwhelming students and
parents with the cost of having to provide more than one
pair of shoes.
In the sprit of this tradition, all first-year students
are required to wear this “traditional white dress
ensemble” for the New Student Orientation Induction
Ceremony, all students are required to wear it when attending
the Founders Day Convocation, and graduating seniors are
required to wear this same attire underneath the academic
regalia for Founders Day, Class Day, Baccalaureate and Commencement.
Additionally, it is requested that alumnae wear this attire
when attending the Founders Day Convocation and related Founders
Day activities hosted by alumnae and chapters of the Alumnae
Association around the country, and for the March through
the Alumnae Arch held during Reunion.
As such, the traditional white dress attire is as follows:
- A solid
white dress
or a skirt
suit. Pants
are not
allowed.
- The dress
or suit
should
be “true” white
-- not
off-white
or cream
- For
graduating
seniors,
when wearing
academic
regalia,
the white
dress or
skirt should
range from
calf length
to two
inches
above the
knee, so
that the
dress does
not hang
lower than
the gown.
- For
first-year,
sophomore
and junior
students,
the white
dress or
skirt can
range from
ankle or
calf length
to two
inches
above the
knee.
- Flesh-toned
hosiery
- Black,
closed-toe
shoes
- Functional
jewelry
only, which
consists
of a wrist
watch and
one ring
worn on
the hand
The
white dress tradition symbolizes a seriousness of purpose
and a sense of formality. Choose a traditionally conservative
dress or suit that you would feel comfortable wearing to
a traditional worship service or in a professional environment.
It is a special time when the “traditional white
dress ensemble” is worn, so it should be embraced as
a wonderful time to express our reverence of this tradition.
DO’s:
- Solid,
white dress
(with sleeves),
skirt suit,
or blouse
and skirt
- Flesh-tone
hosiery
- Closed-toe
black shoes
- Functional
jewelry – wrist
watch and
hand rings
only
- White
sweater
or jacket,
if weather
requires
or your
dress is
strapless
or has “spaghetti” straps
- If
you are
unable
to wear
a white
outer garment,
please
choose
a color
and style
of garment
that will
maintain
the dignity
of the
ceremony
- Small
wallet
or “clutch” purse
to place
keys, medicine
or other
necessary
items only
- Nude
or white
undergarments;
camisoles
and slips
as needed
- Skirt
lengths
that range
from ankle
or calf
length
to two
inches
above the
knee
- Garments
appropriately
sized and
tailored
for your
body style
DON’TS
- Cream,
ivory,
winter
white,
off-white,
taupe,
eggshell,
ecru or
similar
colors
- Pants
are not
allowed
- Large
purses
or backpacks
- Cell phones
- Strapless
or “spaghetti” strapped
dresses
without
a sweater
or jacket,
except
when worn
under the
academic
regalia
- Sequins,
beads or
colored
appliqués
- Revealing,
see-through
or extremely
clingy
spandex
or knits
- Dresses
or blouses
with “cut-out” designs
or cropped
tops
- Thigh
length
dress or
suit skirt
- Earrings
and bracelets;
lip, nose
and eyebrow
rings are
considered
to be decorative
jewelry
and should
not be
worn on
this occasion
