Fireside Chats: What did the Dress Code used to be?

By CARLY CANSECO, JACK CASSIDY, MAGGIE KOTKOWSKI, AVA KRUTSCHNITT, URANIA SHI and KYROS WU

Phillips Exeter Academy has historically been an institution built on standards, and one of those standards entails a dress code. Unlike other New England prep schools, though, the Academy’s enforcement of said dress code has slowly deteriorated in recent years. In 2017, ties were no longer mandated, and after that change, students became more and more comfortable with dressing casually. Now, there are rumors regarding the revival of dress code enforcement, and there are mixed opinions between students who’d like to express themselves, and faculty who believe that formality is a vital part of the classroom experience. 

Recently, assembly speaker Sara Jane Ho mentioned on Sept. 10 that a vital part of her experience at Exeter was style. As a 2003 graduate, she experienced a much more strict dress code than what the Academy enforces now. Specifically, Ho found herself switching from graphic tees to more “preppy” clothing items from brands like J. Crew. This switch stemmed from not only handbook mandates, but also a longing to fit in with peers. 

Instructor in Math Dale Braile recalled the changes of the old dress code, and the impact of fashion trends outside of school on Exeter’s dress code. “We had to change a lot because of the current state of fashion. At some point, leggings became pants, fashion wise, and that was against the dress code.”

“However, it got to the point where that’s what everybody was wearing,” Braile continued. “At one point, in an attempt to make the girls’ dress code a little bit more dressy to match the boys, it was proposed that girls would not be allowed to wear jeans. However, somebody said, ‘You can’t do that because that’s just what people wear in America.’”

The Exeter Bulletin features pictures of Exonians across campus dressed to the tee; however, the quarter zips, collared shirts, and freshly-ironed pants aren’t truly representative of what students wear to class on a day-to-day basis. 

Instructor in Biology Townley Chisholm said, “I am embarrassed for our school when I see tours with prospective students walking around; the guests look great and we don’t.” 

Chisholm’s statement effectively summarizes the majority of the dress code committee’s argument. Future Exonians typically dress to the nines because they’d like to make a good impression, but that urge to impress disappears a couple days into the term more often than not. 

Other faculty push for there to be a dress code because of the sense of uniformity and convinence. Instructor in English Jane Cadwell said, “I’ve always thought we should all wear red coveralls (like the ones car mechanics wear). It would take the stress out of choosing and planning the ‘right’ clothes to wear and would certainly make a fashion statement in the world of independent schools.” 

While perhaps a silly example, the sentiment holds great value. By enforcing some type of uniform, students would be able to direct their attention towards more important matters such as their studies and extracurriculars.

Braile noted the difficulty of creating and enforcing a dress code that satisfies everyone. Many different factors were acknowledged—if the clothing was appropriate, if faculty agreed with it, and if it somehow reflected current fashion. 

“As faculty, we have to decide how we take what’s out there in the world and figure out what’s appropriate for a classroom at Exeter,” Cadwell said. “We have 150 faculty members that are never gonna agree on one thing, but we have to come up with one dress code, so it’s challenging.”

Some teachers don’t see students’ current clothing as detrimental. “Faculty used to relate a students’ outfit to how seriously you take yourself as a student, and if you take yourself seriously, you would dress accordingly,” Braile said. “That statement never made any sense to me because I can be a really good math student and dress in sloppy clothes. It doesn’t have anything to do with me being a good student.” 

Instructor in Math Eric Bergofsky agreed. “I don’t think students dress so badly today that it affects class in any kind of a negative way,” he said.

However, the importance of respect and tradition is a sentiment reflected by many faculty. “The old dress code wasn’t formal; it was respectful of what was happening in the class,” Chisholm remarked. “Each class is a special occasion that we should celebrate.”

Bergofsky came to a similar conclusion. “School assembly and dinner used to be nice events. Eating dinner used to be a great experience for both students and faculty, where they took a deep breath, spent a reasonable amount of time relaxing, eating, and conversing—almost like eating dinner with your family at home. Dressing reasonably nicely added to that atmosphere. Now, there is so much athletic gear and it’s taken away from that experience. It’s like a hustle over from the gym, and most don’t change out of their gym clothes, they just get their food, wolf it down, and then leave.

The faculty’s opinions on the dress code vary widely. After teaching at Exeter for over thirty years, Braile’s thoughts exhibit a relatively new perception of students’ clothes.  “I don’t want the emphasis to be on what somebody’s wearing,” she concluded. “I want it to be on how they behave, how they’re learning, and how they’re communicating. I think the dress code comes in when somebody’s attire interferes with that.”

How Exeter’s administration chooses to revisethe dress code is a popular topic among the Student Council, faculty, and the student body. The decision will surely cause mixed feelings, such as debate, relief, and confusion, throughout campus.