Brittany Hickcox
Finding the perfect dress and shoes is a requirement for every girl going to their sorority formal. It is the time to get dressed up and enjoy a night out with sisters and dates. Each sorority has their own special formal or tradition that is unique to them.
This year, Phi Mu had their formal downtown at Browns Corner.
“One of Phi Mu’s favorite traditions is our annual pledge formal. Each year we hold this formal in Tuscaloosa honoring our new members,” Devin Grissom, the social chair for Phi Mu said.
The entire Phi Mu chapter wears black to this even except for the new members, who wear colorful dresses, according to Grissom.
“The new ‘Phi’s’ get to wear colorful dresses so that they stand out and feel special at their first formal event,” Grissom said.
Some sororities have two formals, such as Alpha Delta Chi.
Alpha Delta Chi has a black and white themed party and a semi-formal, according to the Vice President External Chair Angela Newman.
“The black and white theme party was at the loft and we had a DJ with over 90 guests attending,” Newman said.
The semi-formal takes place in November, is just for the sisters, and is held at the historic battle Friedman House, according to Newman.
“At the semi-formal we will be having an ornament swap and fun Christmas games,” Newman said.
Other sororities, such as Gamma Phi Beta, have their formal in Birmingham. Gamma Phi has had their formal at The Vulcan, which has a giant statue known to be the world’s largest cast iron statue.
“My favorite memory of formal was going in the elevator and standing at the top of the tower overlooking the city of Birmingham,” sophomore Ellie Wasser said.
Gamma Phi Beta took coach buses to Birmingham, which was a fun experience because everyone was so excited to get to The Vulcan and have a good time, according to Wasser.
Every sorority has their own special traditions that make formal night a night full of fun memories.