Problems Within Gilman’s Dress Code

The dress code is a part of daily life at Gilman. Each day, students pick out clothes to wear, making sure they align with the established set of rules. If they do not, students are stopped in the hallway and ordered to remove the invalid clothing. In more extreme cases, jackets are confiscated, and, at the worst, students are given Wednesday morning detentions. 

I have attended Gilman for four years, and the code has existed throughout my tenure. Recently, and especially this year, I have noticed an increase in dress code enforcement and stricter authority. This may stem from a multitude of places, including a more flexible dress code post-COVID, a decision to set us apart from other schools in the area, or even just to have more uniform dress. Either way, it has become stricter, and I am fed up with it. I have synthesized my gripes into three points. 

1. The rules themselves are blasphemous. 

Firstly, I will address some aspects of the dress code that I find ridiculous. 1) Students are no longer allowed to wear crewnecks. To my knowledge, we are the only school in which this is true, and it is ridiculous. Crewnecks are as formal as a quarter-zip, which is permitted. What is it about a five-inch zipper that transforms slop into class? Additionally, if the zipper is too long and extends to the bottom of the overwear, it is illegal. Are we seriously not allowed to wear a zip-up jacket? I understand hooded sweatshirts cross the line, and I believe that is where the line should be: no hooded sweatshirts. Yet, my definition of a hoodie does not include a winter jacket (whose does?). It is freezing outside, and I do not feel like stuffing a large coat into my backpack and going through the tedious process of taking out my books to get the jacket every time I want to go outside. There must be serious reform in the stipulations of outerwear in the dress code. 

2. There is an inconsistent application of the rules.

Sometimes, I will wear outerwear outside of dress code, and I will walk past deans without a reprimand. This cannot happen. If you are going to enforce the rules, enforce them for everyone, all the time. Secondly, camo clothing is banned; yet, the jacket I am wearing currently and have worn most days is a camo pattern in an uncommon colorway. How do the deans define camo? Is it the pattern, or the color? Am I allowed to wear camo colors in a non-camo pattern? Am I allowed to wear a camo pattern in non-camo colors? Cabot White ‘26 has been told he is not allowed to wear his camo fleece, and he has expressed frustration when he sees me wearing my non-camo colored, camo-patterned fleece. If you are going to enforce these minute rules, enforce them consistently for all clothing that falls under a category.

3. The Dress code has simply become a way to exercise an unconstitutional, forceful control over the deans’ constituents. 

I do not believe that these stipulations and changes in the dress code are to create a more formal and classy community. I believe they are enforced as a show of control and power, an example of force. When the dress code becomes not just a dress code but a reminder that we live at the whims of the deans, there is a problem with the system.

I call upon my brethren to stand up. Fight against this tyranny. Use the dean’s system against them. Below, I have compiled an array of clothing that is in line with the dress code, yet will expose its absurdity. It may cause distraction from the learning environment, but it is impossible to ban these clothes based on a subjective rule. If you, a Gilman School high schooler, have any fight left in you, purchase these items and wear them like they are the only clothes left in your closet. For we are not fighting solely against the dress code, we are standing up for what is right.

Shirt: INSPIRE CHIC Men's Retro Button Down Short Sleeve Party Glitter Sequins Shirt

Tie: Led Tie Light Up Fanny Ties Novelty Necktie For Men LED Blue-micro Solid Tie

Pants: Metallic-Pleated Ankle Pants

Shoes: STARS MODEL 24 CLOWN SHOES BY CLOWNMART

Outerwear: Tie Dye Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt - Sizes S-3XL - Tie Dye Sweatshirt - Tye Dye Sweatshirt

Socks: LITTLE MONSTER Orange Socks