Dress Codes

Ajit Vakharia

When students enter college, they enter a whole new world different from what they have been used to in high school. One main difference is the dress code. In many high schools, strict dress codes were mandatory for all students which include no low cut shirts, tank tops, shorts more than six inches above a lady’s knee, and no undergarments showing; while men were not allowed to “sag,” wear hats, shirts that relate to drugs, alcohol, or profanity. In college, students are allowed to wear whatever they want, as long as they have clothes on. There is no censorship, or certain amount of coverage a student needs when it comes to their clothes . Walk into any college classroom, a lot of girls will be wearing “daisy dukes” while a lot of guys will be wearing something offensive on their t-shirts. Should this be allowed? College students are seen as adults and capable of being allowed to wear whatever they may please, but it would not be a bad idea to implement a once a week “dress for success” day for upper level students as they begin to get ready for the work force in the “real world.” Dress for success includes wearing collared shirts and khakis for men and business clothes for women. This allows college students about to enter the workforce, become more motivated in their schoolwork and look good. Some argue that college is a center for higher education and should be treated with more respect such as an employee would do in the workplace, but college is also a home where students should not be forced to dress in a way they would not want to. College is also a time where students are still learning who they are and want to express themselves in different forms, and one way in doing so is through fashion. At Liberty University for instance, students to wear flip-flops, sandals, capri pants, and "neat" jeans to class and can also wear "modest" shorts in the dining hall and, after 4:30 pm. Dress codes need to be implemented on college campuses that are not as strict as most high school but enough to show respect to professors, classmates, and the school.