Why I “Dress Up” for Class

By Cassandra Wong

Disclaimer: I want to stress that I am by no means telling people how to dress. I would just like to share my perspective and experience on the matter. 

Fashion varies across college campuses in the US; at Middlebury, loungewear seems to dominate the fashion scene. This could be attributed to the large number of athletes or the cold weather nudging everyone to bundle up in cozy clothes. Either way, amongst the copious amounts of athleisure there are a few who stand out: the ones who like “dressing up.” When I first got to campus, I found this relaxed way of dressing unfamiliar. Not only were people wearing, what I considered, loungewear to class but also to restaurants in town. I had originally attributed this to American culture but soon realised that any student, international or domestic, who chooses not to wear loungewear (daily) seemed to be in the minority at Middlebury.

Being international myself, I sometimes get asked about being “dressed up," and despite believing that my outfits were casual, I seem to draw questions from my peers. I often get asked “why are you so dressed up?” or “how much time do you spend getting ready in the mornings?” Even during my sophomore year, my professor came up to me asking how my “presentation” went simply because I showed up to my lab in a blazer. I did not have a presentation that day. When I showed up to the Grille on a Thursday night, wearing something I considered casual, a friend asked me if I had just come back from bar night. Although I am of legal age back home, I am still very much underage in the US. I think it’s safe to say that I was sufficiently shocked when I heard these comments.

Compared to the vast amounts of flannels, sweatshirts, and leggings seen on campus, even my cute tops and jeans (or god forbid a dress) sometimes come off as over-the-top for class. Over the course of my Middlebury experience, I have realised that “dressing up” has become somewhat of a taboo. Those who “dress up” are, to be frank, often perceived as people who are unathletic, shallow or individuals that have misplaced priorities. This led to a lot of self-doubt during my freshman year. I had become insecure about outfits I’d usually wear to something as mundane as picking up groceries back home. I even started to wear more leggings and sweats to my classes to fit in, even though I didn’t feel like myself in them.

Soon after adopting a more typical “casual-look,” I quickly realised that this style also made me feel uncomfortable. At this point, I was stumped. Do I continue “dressing up” or do I try to blend in more with the Middlebury community? Either way, I was going to be uncomfortable, whether it was feeling awkward in my own skin or having others judge me. In the end, I decided that style is supposed to be personal and a reflection of yourself. So, I reverted back to my original way of dressing.

Now, to answer the question “why do I ‘dress up’ for class?” There are a few aspects I want to address. As someone who has grown up in a relatively traditional community, dressing in sweats or athleisure was never even considered. In Hong Kong, a city where many people work in finance, people always look presentable. Although we are not the most fashionable city by a long shot, every individual still puts some type of effort into what they are wearing. Thus, ‘casual’ outfits back home might seem dressed up to the Middlebury community. Whilst some people roll out of bed and opt for a sweatshirt and leggings, my casual wear would consist of straight-legged bottoms with a basic top and a nice coat. 

I’m not saying that I never wear sweats or leggings, however, I do feel like there are some personal benefits to “dressing up.” First, it gives me a clear start to my day. Putting on an outfit that doesn’t resemble loungewear helps me differentiate between my down-time and doing academic work. Especially at Middlebury where academics and leisure can sometimes be so blurred, putting on clothing that isn’t something I’d relax in definitely helps me structure my day. Second, “dressing up” also helps me feel and be more productive. If I show up to the library in cozy sweats and a hoodie, I’d feel way too comfortable to actually get any work done. Lastly, I personally believe that by “dressing up,” I can show respect to my professors. Although some of my classes are going to be online this fall, in a regular semester, showing up to class in loungewear when my professor has put in hard work to educate me seems almost disrespectful. Maybe this mindset is just a remnant of my strict uniform days during my primary and secondary school years, but something tells me it’s more than that.

With all this being said, I am not trying to offend anyone who runs to class in their athleisure after a long grueling workout. However, I am trying to illustrate that, when possible, “dressing up” can help, not only in physically showing your personality, but it can help structure your day and improve your productivity. Plus, it’s fun.