One of my teachers once asked my class, “How would you feel if I showed up one day in my pajamas or sweatpants?” My peers and I all laughed at the unfathomable thought. To us, it was common knowledge that in a classroom setting, our teachers should dress in a way that exudes professionality. So why is it that us students feel as though we can wear the most casual of clothing to class, while we hold our instructors to expectations of formal attire? This small question sparked a larger reflection within me about the casual attitude towards our dress code at PA and made me realize that a stricter dress code might not be so horrendous after all.
The truth is, the idea of a dress code simply does not exist in Andover’s regulations. When I tried to find the official dress code on the Blue Book, I couldn’t find anything. Now, I admit that I appreciate the school’s efforts to move away from restricting the way that students choose to express themselves. There’s nothing more satisfying than attending class on a cold winter day in your fluffiest sweatshirt and sweatpants (I’ve even seen some of those The Comfy hoodie blankets around campus). At the same time, though, I believe that to an extent, dress codes are a manifestation of the values that a school community abides by.
When my younger sister was in the process of touring boarding schools, she recalled how her Andover tour guide showed her around campus in his slippers and plaid pajama pants, while the one at Deerfield Academy was dressed in formal clothing that exuded professionalism. Additionally, when I come across pictures of PA students from the past dressed in formal suits and sweaters, the images exude an air of tradition and prestige that seem to automatically attract respect from the viewers. It’s not so much the idea of regulating the students’ clothing or deeming certain attire better than others. Instead, what I mean to highlight is the way a more formal attitude towards our dress code would influence the professionalism in classroom environments, and specifically show our teachers that we care and respect them. A more conscious effort on our fashion choices would generally contribute to a greater atmosphere of campus respect that upholds Andover’s “legacy of excellence.”
In fact, on top of contributing to the overall campus environment, dressing up in more formal attire would positively impact students’ own outlook and motivation in their studies. From my own experience, I’ve found that making myself feel put together is worth the extra twenty minutes of my morning. I head to breakfast and begin my day feeling like a presentation of the best version of myself. Even if I feel crusty, I might not look it! This small act of getting ready for the day helps break apart the days a bit so it’s not just get out of bed, go to school, get back into bed, repeat. I mean, why does everyone have so much fun getting ready for parties and dances? I truly think the answer boils down to one word: confidence. Can’t that same approach be applied to daily life too?
I am not asking the administration to institute an unreasonably strict dress code where everyone has to wear a three-piece suit or a floor length skirt to class everyday. Instead, I simply urge students to consider the benefit of putting more attention into their outfits: taking control of the image of themselves that is reflected to others. Not only might that additional effort be recognized and respected by others, but it is also an investment on one’s self, their confidence, and their preparation to take on the demands of the day.
