University of Virginia Library

Students' Attire Reflects Individualism

By Steve Wells

Accepting Traditional Attire

Two students walk across the Lawn on their way to classes in
Cabell Hall. One is upholding the University's coat and tie
tradition, the other is wearing a school sweatshirt and bell-bottom
trousers. They are opposites who don't understand each other's
tastes and standards, right? Wrong, quite wrong.

As I learned from my interviews with about a dozen first-year
men yesterday, they probably respect each other. Maybe they are
friends, maybe they have never met. But they are both expressing
their individuality in the way they see fit.

While a clear majority of male students here at the University
still practice the custom of wearing coats and ties to classes, there
are many who, for one reason or another, have decided to clothe
themselves in whatever suits their mood. Surprisingly, however,
most of those who uphold the tradition do not give a damn what
the other students wear. Likewise, those who have taken to
informal dress do not condemn the coat and tie syndrome.

The reasons given in support of casual attire range from "coats
and ties are uncomfortable" to "the tradition is dying." The
casualties argue that a person's appearance is not relevant to his
performance; in fact, he can perform better if he is comfortable.
Moreover, they don't want tradition to rule their lives, rather
would prefer to start their own
traditions.

While most of the casualties
agree that it is "nice to be
presentable" no matter what you
wear, there are those who alternate
between extremes. One first-year
man in Emmet House told me that
he wears a coat and tie "now and
then," but also allows himself to
"look like a slob" when he feels
like it. In fact, one day he went to
class wearing a coat and tie, but was
barefoot.

It seems that the weather also
has something to do with a
student's decision about what to
wear. Some of the casualties say
that when winter comes they'll
start wearing a coat and tie. Others
maintain that they'll make the
switch when they are employed. As
one casualite said, "I can't be
kicked out of the University for
looking like a slob, but I could be
fired from a job."

The coat and tie men are easier
to find around the Grounds. Their
reason for conforming to tradition

is simple: they like a coat and tie
atmosphere. They are of the
opinion that, while it is an
individual's prerogative to dress as
he pleases, he should not go to
extremes. And too, they appreciate,
just as much as the casualite, being
given the freedom to select their
own attire. In short, they value
their individualism.

One question I asked each and
every student I talked to is "How
do you think Mr. Jefferson would
feel about students here falling
away from the coat and tie
tradition?" An overwhelming
percentage agreed that he wouldn't
care. They feel that he would be
more concerned with the student's
mind than with his appearance.

The responses to this question
were the most interesting of all.
One first-year man said "If he's
what he's built up to be, he
wouldn't care." Another answered,
"He'd probably dress like some kids
are dressing today, too." But the
best response came from a staunch
coat and tie man who, in
disagreeing with the other views
expressed, simply responded, "He'd
turn over."

Yet opinions such as his are
hard to find. We are definitely
living in an individualistic society in
which people set their own
standards and then live by them.
Today's student is not afraid to
rebel against yesterday's customs if
he feels they do not make him a
better individual. I dare say that
here at the University there is more
tolerance displayed by opposing
forces than in most places. I was
surprised to hear the casualties say
that the coat and tie tradition is
"good for certain people," even
though they have rebelled against
it. I was amazed that most coat and
tie supporters do not have strong
feelings against those who have
denounced their style of dress.
Thus, for the time being, most
students here are more interested in
each other than in each other's
appearance.