At NDB, students can be seen in their uniform skirts, hoodies and dark leggings, and occasionally out of uniform, sneaking in sweatpants. While cozy and comfortable, sweatpants are not allowed to be worn on uniform days. However, some argue that sweatpants should be allowed in the name of business casual attire.
According to Oxford Languages, “business casual” is a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear, yet still conveys a professional impression. So, where can the line be drawn between professionalism and comfort?
While sweatpants are comfortable, they are not generally accepted in a professional workplace. Uniforms help set up students for dressing professionally for school, and later in life for work. NDB prioritizes teaching its students life skills, which ultimately apply to dressing professionally.
However, particularly in extreme weather conditions, including atmospheric rivers and below-zero temperatures, perhaps the sweatpants rule should be reevaluated. Skirts and leggings do not offer enough protection from the elements for student comfort. And without proper clothing, students’ focus and overall learning will suffer.
There have been numerous scientific studies proving how attire can affect a student’s ability to work. University of Hertfordshire conducted a study that found that people dressing casually at work tended to experience higher levels of concentration and productivity, particularly compared to those who wore more traditional attire. This shows how comfort can impact performance, both in school and at work.
“It gets really cold in the morning, especially as someone who walks to and from school,” explained Senior Keara McDevitt. “So, I get really cold every morning when I walk…freezing in class makes it hard to focus.”
In addition, NDB produces its own line of sweatpants, which are available for purchase, but are only allowed to be worn one day a week on free-dress Fridays. While uniformity and professionalism are important, navy, grey or other school colors, along with the NDB logo, should deem these particular sweatpants appropriate for uniform use.
The conclusion can be drawn that professionalism is of the utmost importance when it comes to schooling and eventually joining the workforce. And while this may be true, if the rest of the school uniform is worn properly and the weather is particularly rainy or cold, sweatpants should absolutely be allowed.
