Students should avoid risque clothing on campus

It’s no secret that our university has no dress code. In my four years here, I have seen students of all years wear sweatpants, suits and everything in between on the college fashion spectrum of comfortable to sexy to conservative. I understand clothing is a choice and students may dress a certain way if they decide to do their workout before class or have a job interview afterwards, but it seems the longer I stay here, the outfits on campus become increasingly, um, well, skanky, for lack of a better word.

How is a student smart enough to be admitted into the university, but not smart enough to figure out that a professor probably does not want to see your entire bra or the underside of your bum as you enter his or her classroom? 

Any fashion magazine will tell you that sheer and lacey tops are “in” right now. But are people so excited that they cannot wait until the upcoming night at a bar or house party to rock the latest trend? It appears so. It also appears, that the top will look so awful with a camisole or tank top under it that a bra or itsy-bitsy bandeau is the only option.

I understand the fact that girls tend to dress to impress other girls. It is a fact of how teenage and young adult women operate. We choose our clothing to appeal to both our sense of style and the sense of style of others around us. It is how trends come into being and styles gain popularity. But I can guarantee even the most trendy fashionista would rather see a student dressed in a simple staple item like a plain sundress accessorized with a statement necklace and some eye-catching sandals than a pair of heels carrying some hot pants and a crop top getting lost in some cleavage.

Now you can argue that these pieces are “all the rage” and that the sweltering summer weather only promotes this scantily clad approach to dressing, but PETA already put its stamp on the “I’d rather go naked…” campaign, ending the phrase with “than wear fur” so please stop trying to instill the “I’d rather go naked than look bad for class” campaign. Contrary to what our generation might promote, there are ways to dress sexy without making others around you feel uncomfortable.

 And I am not claiming to be a fashion expert (although I do enjoy putting outfits together and take pride in what I wear), but is it too much to ask for students to maintain some integrity and professionalism in the classroom? We take professors seriously as educators and experts and want them to take us seriously as students. But let me ask you this: how in the world is a professor going to assume you are in the classroom to further your knowledge and increase your chances of success in the field you chose to pursue if all he can see is the makeup you wore to a fraternity party last night and the hot pink leopard bra you thought was appropriate to wear to class under a completely see-through top?  

Maybe I am being a tad bit old school here (I am a senior after all), but even male university students are commenting on how “shorts are shorter than ever” and “the school has reached a new level of trashy.” It does make me wonder whether or not people realize that your clothing sends a message, and not always in the best way.  

At the end of the day, I am not telling people how to dress or saying we need a dress code. I am not even suggesting that our campus should look like the next hot and upcoming location for fashion week; rather, I am simply asking for students to keep in mind the fact that when you look in the mirror and see your outfit for the day, other people have to see it too. And if that is too much to ask, I guess those of us who are bothered by this “skanky” phenomenon can find relief in the fact that a season characterized by cute chunky sweaters, oversized scarves and trendy leather jackets is right around the corner.