School during the pandemic? Bad. Getting to wear sweatshirts and sweatpants every day? Amazing! 

Last year, the dress code took a flexible turn. The once (highly) illegal sweatpants made an appearance every day in the Baldwin Upper School. 

I started the 2020-2021 school year wearing my uniform, abiding by the dress code. As the weeks went on, I started wearing out-of-uniform sweatshirts with a kilt to school. Then came the leggings with a sweatshirt. Then came the sweatpants. By winter break, I was wearing pajama pants to school, and I wasn’t the only one. With few infractions being doled out, the use of sweatpants rose. 

Essentially, last year there was no dress code. There was no out-of-uniform dress code either. But now, as everyone is making their way back to in-person school, the uniform is back and in full swing again!

Personally, last year was paradise for me. My sophomore self was an avid dress code breaker. Though I am not proud of it, it was nice to leave junior year feeling like a changed woman with no uniform infractions, despite wearing the most hideous combination of clothes I have ever worn to school (e.g., green pajama pants with a bright orange sweatshirt). Although there are times when I like wearing my uniform and feeling put together, I prefer comfort on any day.

Now that sweatpants are again banished from the school, along with yoga pants and fun sweatshirts, there are mixed reviews.

Josie Stockett ‘22 said that she misses sweatpants as she now has to wear just her kilt outside in the cold months. Stockett said, “I refuse to be seen in leggings, and it feels like my legs are suffering in them.”

Clara Page ‘22, on the other hand, didn’t enjoy the flexibility of last year’s dress code. Page said, “the uniform is what makes us all look put together, and it was frustrating when people wore whatever they wanted last year because I wanted something to feel normal after our COVID year.”

To those of you who miss their comfortable clothes during the pandemic last year, I am with you! However, as this is such a hot and controversial topic, many different sides and perspectives are expected. Stay strong everybody!