OPINION

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By Sheehan Bradshaw

The past year has affected us all in many ways and at times has been very challenging. Something that relieved my stress was when I found out about the change in the dress code for the 2020-21 school year. The “pre-COVID-19” dress code always felt very restrictive as to what students could and could not wear. In early August 2020, great news from the school was released in the 2020-21 Cougars Return to Campus Reopening Plan, including a new “more relaxed” dress code. Page 21 of the document discussed modified dress code in detail. 

The new policy explained that “the dress code will be relaxed in the 2021-20 school year to facilitate the transition from academics to athletics.” I was excited to know that getting ready in the morning would hopefully take significantly less time. Before remote learning and COVID-19, I would pick an outfit the night before a school day, and when I woke up I would often find myself wanting to change my outfit. My daily stress in the morning has definitely decreased this year, because dress code is one less thing I have to worry about. 

Another positive aspect to the relaxed dress code is comfort. I find myself feeling more comfortable throughout the day in my athletic clothing. Regarding afternoon activities, I do not feel as rushed between the end of school and the start of practice. There is also no need to worry about packing an extra pair of clothes in my backpack for after-school sports, since I normally wear athletic clothing to school. Overall, the most enjoyable part of the dress code is choice. If you want to wear athletic clothes one day, you can do that. If the next day you feel like wearing jeans, or something nicer, you can do that as well.

I asked a handful of students in the Upper School about their opinion on this year’s dress code. They all were on the same page and were fully supportive of the current dress code. Sarah Kennon (‘22) said, “I would very much like to keep the dress code as it is!” All the students surveyed agreed with Kennon that it is wonderful to be comfortable all day. The students also enjoyed the choice of being able to wear blue jeans this year. It creates flexibility and allows there to be less stress in the morning when deciding a specific dress code-appropriate outfit. 

Alexandra Brownstein (’22) had an interesting experience with the dress code’s effect. At first, Brownstein liked the option of wearing athletic clothes one day and then wearing a “pre-COVID” dress code outfit the next day. As the semester progressed, Brownstein found herself wearing only relaxed clothes because of the convenience in the morning. Brownstein said, “Now that I’m used to the relaxed dress code, I like it more and find myself choosing comfort.”

To many, the relaxed dress code has made afternoons easier. Since the locker rooms are closed due to social distancing, athletes are supposed to wear as much of their practice clothing to school as possible. The relaxed guidelines applied to faculty as well, which means no more required ties for men, and coaches can dress for practice throughout the day. For Upper School science teacher and coach Dave Privasky, the relaxed dress code has made his afternoon a breeze from the transition from class to the field. Privasky said, “I coach basketball and soccer, and being able to wear athletic clothing to school has helped with transition time.” On campus sports start at 3:30 p.m., which only leaves ten minutes to get down to the field, track, or gym. Upper School English teacher and Match advisor Vlastik Svab agrees with Privasky about his comment on the prior dress code: “I don’t mind dress pants and polos, but not having to wear a tie has been really nice!” he said.  

Though many students enjoy wearing athletic apparel, there are also a handful of students that have taken advantage of wearing items of clothing that were not permitted pre-COVID-19. AC Phillips (’22) talked about how she is able to express herself more this year through her clothing. Phillips said, “I like that we can wear blue jeans and t-shirts. I also like that I can wear colorful sweatpants and make them more of a fashion statement rather than pajamas. It is a great alternative to leggings.” Phillips is also a dancer, and she thinks “it is also nicer for dance, because I can just be ready to go.” Everyone has different activities and sports that they participate in, and making adjustments to the dress code has allowed students and faculty to have an easier transition from class to afternoon activities. 

I reached out to the Head of the Upper School Patrick Loach to see if he had any updates that could be released to students and faculty regarding the dress code for the 2021-2022. He said, “As we will likely have limited access to locker rooms next year (it is too early to know anything for certain) and because we will try to be outside, when possible, I am not anticipating any significant changes to the dress code.” He added, “I look forward to meeting with the Judicial Council and SCA to start that conversation.” Loach hopes to speak to students on both of those councils to hear their opinions and feedback from their classmates regarding dress code changes in the future. 

Featured image: Collegiate School.