Conform or Comfort: What Does The Student Body Think About Uniforms?
Written by Kharis Ott
As the holiday season approaches and the weather starts to cool, hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, and leggings get added to our daily wardrobes, and there's just a little more customization when it comes to uniforms. As we all know, SCDS has a uniform policy that can lead to detention if not followed. Some rules do end up being broken though, and some rules are simply silly. What’s so wrong about solid black outerwear? While we can’t change these rules, students are bound to form opinions on them, both positive and negative. Should we or should we not have uniforms, how can we make them more personal, and when push comes to shove, what do you think?
The main argument against uniforms relies on the handbook’s strictness. “I feel very confined,” says Tanner Kaminsky, a freshman. “There are limits to everything, obviously… but I think uniforms can be very basic.” Sophomore Kensie Glass adds, “I think it’s weird that we can’t wear black sweatshirts.” Gabby Galoni, a junior, has expressed that we should have more options for pants and outerwear. She thinks we should have, “More comfortable clothes, especially for girls, during the colder months; the skirt and leggings combo is not cute, it’s never been cute.” Students are allowed to wear navy or khaki pants and shorts and navy, khaki, or plaid skirts. Although girls can wear pants, the options offered for girls at Land’s End’s website are slim and frankly uncomfortable.
Speaking of comfort, other students have complained about the comfort level of our school uniforms. Freshman Dabney Anderson is thoroughly against the uniform policy. “I feel like we could just wear whatever we want and just be comfy… instead of wearing these stupid skirts.” The consensus seems to be that there could be more accessible, comfortable options, especially since we wear our uniforms every day.
Other students appreciate the uniform policy and actually prefer it. Ian Rogers, co-editor and chief of The Buzz and SCDS senior, finds himself struggling to choose what to wear on break the dress code days. He enjoys the routine. “I feel like it gives me something to rely on, even though I switch it up sometimes.” Uniforms also help us to look similar to each other. It’s in the name: One form. However, that can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it. Caroline Bergmann, a freshman, likes school uniforms because they provide an easy way to look nice. “I feel like it makes us look a lot more put together, especially since it’s a private school.”
Personally, I like uniforms. I like that I have one less thing to worry about in the morning and one less thing to be judged on. Furthermore, there’s just enough flexibility so I don’t feel like I’m wearing the same thing every day. That being said, SCDS’ uniform policy is full of contradictions and outdated rules that aren’t specific/followed anymore. Though we can wear different colored zip-up jackets if the zipper is down, there’s nothing that specifies this in the Student Handbook. Leggings are “strictly prohibited,” but we wear them underneath our skirts anyway.
Whether you like them or not is up to you, but it’s safe to say uniforms are here to stay. Though we can’t change the policy itself, we can personalize our uniforms. Galoni expresses herself with her glasses, while Anderson likes to wear her own sweatshirts and jewelry. Colorful socks and shoes are in the dress code, and though the outerwear policy is strict, it’s the most easily customizable. Most importantly, don’t get dress-coded, and have fun
