Recently, all BSM students, parents, and faculty members were sent a form proposing a new “enhanced dress code,” in an attempt to get the community’s response to this idea. It includes options for the new dress code to be more like a uniform, with BSM apparel as the top (other than tank tops, crop tops, or anything that violates the current dress code) and black pants.
The BSM community had varying responses to the idea, as there are positives and negatives. Some students say that if everyone were to wear almost the same thing, it wouldn’t show the economic disparities between students or allow for any judgment. “For students, you’re not having to decide who spent money on this, who has this type of shirt, who’s in dress code, who’s out of dress code. Like I said, it kind of creates more of a professional learning environment,” Spanish teacher Kelsey Rathmanner said.
However, this dress code would increase the cost for BSM families, as apparel is more expensive than other options of clothes, and it is more obvious if a student can only afford two BSM apparel sweatshirts compared to another person who could buy six. Also, juniors and sophomores would now be required to buy all new clothes that only last them 1-2 years. “I have to buy all new clothes. I’m a junior and I’m going to be a senior next year. I don’t [want to] have to buy all new clothes that are going to fit this dress code for nine months, and then I graduate, and I don’t have to [wear them] my entire life,” junior Grace Soderling said.
As a Catholic school, we already have a dress code including no showing of midriff, undergarments, shoulders, and a certain length for skirts/shorts. The reasons for a dress code include BSM’s desire for a professional and religious environment, however, some think the lines are blurred between whether the dress code is for religious reasons or so people aren’t “distracted” by others’ clothes. “I feel like a lot of it lies within our Catholic values as a school. I don’t think it has much to do with the whole argument of the boys get[ting] distracted. I think it’s more modesty and out of reverence and respect … But then again, it’s also not the reason why we’re here. We are a school, we’re here to learn, and I don’t really think what you’re wearing has that much to do with it,” Soderling said.
People choose what they wear, therefore clothes are a reflection of oneself; one’s interests, personality, and individuality. By forcing the entire population of BSM to wear the same thing, we may not foster the diversity and freedom of expression as we currently do. But, some say that if we all wore the same thing, it would be easier, and no one would feel left out. Balancing culture and creativity with inclusion and unity is difficult, however, a new dress code may not be the best solution. “I think they’re trying to make everyone appear the same. I understand maybe not wanting different hair colors, but I don’t think that clothing is going to be the end of the world. I know me, for example, my favorite part of going to school is picking out my outfit, so having an enhanced dress code would just be unnecessary,” senior Lyra Carter said.
The “enhanced dress code” has different variations of tops and bottoms, which some like and others do not. For example, Rathmanner believes that allowing this freedom to choose some articles of clothing will help preserve some individuality. “You don’t get to pick the clothes you want to wear every day, and for students who like to put together their own outfits, who like to have more of an individualistic approach, they lose that. But then again, if we do the enhanced version, where it’s not like a strict shirt and strict bottoms, and students would still have the flexibility to pick what bottoms they want to wear [and] what tops they want to wear,” Rathmanner said.
However, some disagree with the idea that the enhanced dress code is the ideal option. By having a dress code we already have regulations on what we can wear, but an “enhanced dress code” narrows these options even more, and if we are already narrowing them, some think a uniform is just easier and more efficient. “I’m not against having a uniform, but I’m against the enhanced dress code,” Soderling said.
BSM aims for school spirit through dress-up days for the entire school during special weeks, and for individual sports to encourage people to support each other at games, events, and activities. All sports teams, mock trial, math league, speech, etc, all made personalized apparel to show pride for not only their particular activity, but for representing BSM. We have a dress code currently to uphold the modesty of a Catholic school, but we want to still be able to foster diversity and pride in our BSM community. “I honestly just think they want BSM kids to look a certain way, which I understand. But at the same time, I don’t think what people are wearing is necessarily harming our school image, especially because it’s just normal clothes that people are wearing,” Carter said.
If BSM is to impose an “enhanced dress code” on students, as teachers and administrators are also in the same learning environment and community, we should have equality and consistency throughout our rules. “I feel like if the students have to have a dress code, they [teachers] should also have a dress code. So honestly, I’m for it,” Carter said.