By Claire DeRoin–
“Why are you all dressed up?”
I hate being asked that question, especially when I’m wearing jeans and a blouse. That isn’t dressed up. That’s having actual casual clothes on.
If it weren’t for the majority of students wearing sweatpants and ratty gym clothes to class, it wouldn’t be such a shock to see someone wearing something other than pajamas around campus.
Morningside’s students are a bunch of slobs.
Am I above the trend? I try to be. Three days of the week, I get up early so that I can put on casual clothes (things that need to be ironed or buttoned, not just pulled on like a sweatshirt). It’s not that hard. It doesn’t take that long.
But I have Ballet III twice a week, and yes, I’ll admit, I do wear sweats on those days over my leotard and tights. Why? Because that’s practical. Athletic clothes are acceptable to wear to an athletic class. It’d be awkward to shimmy into jeans after ballet and scurry off to my next class. Sweats do have their place.
Yet why is the argument from students on campus, “It’s easier to wear sweats?” It’s faster to roll out of bed, roll into some wrinkly athletic wear, and head off to non-athletic activities — but should that be an acceptable choice?
They say practice makes perfect, so we should practice dressing professionally on campus. Most office jobs do enforce a dress code, and sadly, that favorite pair of Hawkeye sweats isn’t going to cut it, not even if you wash them, sorry.
Of all of the things we learn at college- professional trades, skills, etc. – why should the easiest professional asset be the one we ignore?
—
