DUSTIN HARRISON
Opinions Writer

I’ve just returned to campus after being away for a year and a half, and I bring a message back to you from us denizens of the real world: most university students are written off as selfish, apathetic children without ever having to open their mouths.

Why? Because of the way some students dress.

Granted, during my time off I spent a few months working (I’ll explain the concept of “work” later) at a menswear store downtown, so my position on clothing is not unbiased; but I promise you that this message is not only coming from me, so don’t shoot the messenger.

How you dress falls into the broader category of how you act in general, and is a form of self-expression. It’s self-expression because there are no set rules or regulations on how to dress — how you pair an outfit is entirely your own creation. Whether or not you care about it or are cognizant of it, when you adorn yourself you are making an active choice and stating to the world your beliefs, self-concept and feelings about those around you.

Being well dressed is more than a matter of vanity or wanting to show the world how sexy you feel — it’s a matter of acting appropriately for a situation.

People scoff at me for wearing my tuxedo to the beach and my thong to the opera house not because of my vanity, but because it’s downright inappropriate. It shows I haven’t given those situations full consideration, and a big part of acting appropriately for something is giving it proper consideration and respect.

Hence my disdain for university students who feel it appropriate to parade around in pajama pants, sweat pants, and flip flops, as if the lecture theatre were their living room. If you were attending an extravagant event that had a $25,000 ticket or entrance fee you likely would not show up in your pajamas. Social conventions: we have them.

So if it’s not appropriate there, it’s not any more appropriate here, on campus. If you don’t see the connection, ask your parents how much they’re shelling out for you to be here. Post-secondary education is a privilege very few people in the world even have a chance of pursuing. Don’t take being here lightly.

Not only is under-dressing showing a disregard for the institution you’re incredibly lucky to have access to, but it also shows the same contempt toward the people around you. Walking around campus in the same gear you wear when you’re alone in your room eating Cheesy Poofs and watching television demonstrates that you have the same level of consideration for other people in both of those situations. That is to say, the people on campus are of so little importance to you that it’s as if they’re not there at all.

Now, some of you may be doing this intentionally, but from what I can tell most of you aren’t taking after James Dean and Marlon Brando and doing this out of rebellion. Most of you are just being lazy and don’t care, opting for comfort over respect.

And if that’s the case, it’s probably best for everyone if you just admit to yourself you don’t want to be here and move on. You’ll be much happier doing whatever it is you actually want to do, and we’ll be happy for you.

Otherwise, if you’re going to stay, at least put on some real pants.

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image: Flickr