What (Not) to Wear to the Ath

By Madison Shimoda | April 14, 2010 at 1:32 pm | Arts & Culture, Life | 78 comments | |

 

When I tell my friends at other schools about the Athenaeum and the amazing speakers with whom I’ve had dinner, they always express jealousy. (“What? You had dinner with Maureen Dowd? I lined up for tickets for her speech for two hours and wasn’t able to get one!”) You’ve probably heard this on your CMC college tour and during your orientation and from your professors and from a million different people but we are so privileged to have an institution like the Athenaeum at CMC. There might be some debate about whether our school is academically balanced and whether it’s a true liberal arts college or not, but one thing that is indubitably an exemplification of our liberal arts agenda is the Athenaeum. The Athenaeum, an arena for learning and exchange, demands our utmost respect, and one way we show respect is how we present ourselves.

CMC students are generally conscious of their attire, but of late, there have just been too many people inappropriately dressed at the Ath. Just like you would not wear a tight mini-skirt to an interview, you should probably leave the mini-skirt in your laundry basket when you attend the Mitt Romney dinner tomorrow.

Here are some tips that I’ve garnered from my friends, family, professors, and bosses that might help you when you decide what to wear when you next attend an Ath function.

Men

  • Do NOT wear polo shirts—The polo shirt is an athletic shirt—you wear them when you play polo, tennis, etc. They were part of my high school PE uniform. Do not wear gym clothes to the Ath. (Even if it’s from Band of Outsiders.)
  • Do NOT wear casual shirts with a collar. Just because it has a collar does not mean it’s a dress shirt. (Personally, I think you should avoid cheap dress shirts as well. They rarely fit well and turn a weird color after a few washes. If possible invest in a good, crisp white shirt. It doesn’t have to be Dior Homme, J. Crew makes nice shirts too.)
  • Do NOT wear shirts in the following colors: red, black, sky blue, or any neon. You are not going to a nightclub in the Meatpacking district or a rave.
  • Do wear dress shoes. Please don’t wear sneakers with your waistcoat. You are not Justin Timberlake at the Grammy Awards.
  • Do be careful about how many buttons you leave open on you shirt. It’s fine if you don’t wear a tie to the Forum’s Idea Night but we don’t want to see your chest hair, even if your significant other may dig it.
  • Do tuck in your shirt. God forbid you’re wearing a polo, but if you are, tuck that in too. No exceptions.

Women

  • Do NOT wear skirts that are shorter than three inches above your knee. Remember that annoying rule back in high school? Yes, it applies at the Ath also.
  • Do NOT wear heels that you cannot walk in. This isn’t so much a dress code issue but more of a safety of the servers carrying trays of food issue.
  • Do NOT wear anything that you would wear to TNC.
  • Do wear a jacket, cardigan, or shawl over a dress or top that might be dangerously revealing. I’ve also gotten away with some dresses that might be more black-tie with a suit jacket. It also helps hide any unsightly bra straps.
  • Do accessorize. The boring formal LBD that your mother gave you can easily be jazzed up with jewelry, the right shoes, and purse.
  • Do NOT wear sundresses to the Athenaeum. They are not formal. Also, the color-blocked dresses I see every so often at the Ath, also not formal and also so very 2008.

Instead of doing suggested outfits, as I normally do, for the Athenaeum, I thought I would showcase some of what I might wear to the Athenaeum and how I combine pieces that are not always formal so I don’t need to have a separate formal wear wardrobe. (As you will probably notice, I don’t wear a lot of color.)

If you have additional tips or ideas, please feel free to leave comments below. See you at the Ath!

Monochromatic
Items in this set:
My color palette is black, white, grey, and navy blue. That way, I can throw on an outfit when I’m rushing and still not look like a total mess. I don’t usually like Mary Janes but when I saw these soft ones in the Chinatown in LA, I had to get them.
Dressing Up
Items in this set:
Dresses can easily be jazzed up with cute accessories. I like to pair feminine looking dresses with edgier accessories like a studded belt to give it an element of surprise.
More posts by Madison Shimoda »
Madison Shimoda

Born in Johor Baru, Malaysia, and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Madison Shimoda is an award-winning writer, performer, and shopper. She now temporarily lives in the United States and working on a Bachelor's degree in Literature and Philosophy & Public Affairs at Claremont McKenna College. During her spare time, Madison likes reading poetry, shopping, and listening to jazz. She is currently working on the next great American novel.

 
 
 
 
  • dark shirts look awful

    Totally agree- honestly I can’t think of anything I hate more than dark men’s dress shirts. It’s fine in the club, but they look like crap in a formal setting. I’ve had numerous interviewers tell me if someone shows up wearing a dark dress shirt with a bright diagonally stripped tie, they will discount them on the spot. And please iron your clothes and wear a tie. Apparently back in the good old days, Jack Stark would send students back to their dorms if they didn’t wear ties to the ath.

  • dark shirts look awful

    Totally agree- honestly I can’t think of anything I hate more than dark men’s dress shirts. It’s fine in the club, but they look like crap in a formal setting. I’ve had numerous interviewers tell me if someone shows up wearing a dark dress shirt with a bright diagonally stripped tie, they will discount them on the spot. And please iron your clothes and wear a tie. Apparently back in the good old days, Jack Stark would send students back to their dorms if they didn’t wear ties to the ath.

  • Monica

    Madison, you should see if the school will put this into freshman orientation packets from now on!

  • Monica

    Madison, you should see if the school will put this into freshman orientation packets from now on!

  • Chesty Canyons

    Isn’t it a little oppressive being told what you can and can’t wear? I’m not trying to be a dick, just curious.

    For many, fashion is a form of personal expression, right? Doesn’t it seem harmful to perpetuate limits on how people express their creativity — especially young people? Doesn’t it seem damaging the enforce the notion that inner worth and ability must have a uniform?

    I agree with you on the polo shirt thing; any form of “yuppie” dress (khaki’s, tassled loafers, boating shoes, anything with a “label” etc) are vile in any setting.

    • bigchris1313

      While I agree that creativity and personal style are essential in determining the way one dresses, the freedom to be creative must be weighed against the value judgments that others will make based on your attire. Like it or not, people will judge you–and make judgments about your perceived judgment of them–based on what you wear. Not everyone will make the same judgment: for example, a group of students in Birkenstocks would likely elicit a different judgment from a Pitzer speaker than from a speaker at the Ath (ceteris paribus).

      As ridiculous as it seems to our [non-pejorative] liberal, individualist sensibilities, we are judged on our appearance; however, how each individual wants to deal with those judgments is up to him or her. Madison is advising that we show a basic level of respect for Ath speakers–and by extension to the school that works to bring them–by wearing attire that would be traditionally understood to indicate respect and civility in a formal environment.

      In this case, that attire is–at the very least–a dress shirts, trousers, and leather shoes/belt for gentlemen (and the equivalent for ladies). Wearing more casual attire sends a message to many Ath speakers–not to mention the administration–that the student is not showing the full level of respect appropriate. (Sure, you can meet the bare minimum if you want, but if you know what you should be wearing, why not wear it?) Of course, comportment plays a huge role in the level of perceived respect paid–boorish drunks in immaculate bespoke suits are presumably less respectful than a quiet, well-mannered student in street clothes–but clothes play a role nonetheless, a role that will continue for the rest of each student’s life, and one that he or she should learn to get used to. CMC trains its students to think critically and act as steadfast, rational individuals in a swirling sea of sheeple; however, CMC’s pragmatism mandates that we recognize the existence of social norms and the consequences of violating them. This includes the consequences of failing to dress appropriately.

      Obviously, conversation with an individual can undo previous judgments regarding a lack of respect based on attire, but the Ath speaker does not know whom he or she is going to converse with over the course of the evening. For most students, the level of perceived respect they show to the speaker will be based on their A) attire/grooming and B) behavior. Madison decided to focus on A, and she explained how to properly show the level of respect owed.

      The choice ultimately remains the student’s. Having said that, taking into account that the speaker is going to judge the individuals in the room based on overall appearance and behavior, wouldn’t you rather be part of the solution to this collective action problem and wear something befitting the occasion?*

      *This should not be construed as pointing a finger at you, Chesty. It was meant as a rhetorical question.

      • Chesty Canyons

        I get your points, but as somewhat of an idealist (and someone who spent a decade in the corporate suit-wearing world) I got to see firsthand just how lame it can be to have to dress up to try and pretend to be something. As a result, it’s a notion that I wholeheartedly reject and don’t want anything to do with. And before you say “welcome to the real world” — I’ve been in that world where costumes are required (before I returned to academia) and trust me, it’s a grim place.

        When Jello Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco, he was running again Feinstein whose platform including “cleaning up market street.” By this, she meant the tenderloin district. Jello’s platform, rather brilliantly, offered the same thing — only his intent was to clean up the other end of market street — he one with all the corporate business and banks and what not by forcing all businessmen to wear clown suits between the hours of 9 and 5.

        He got 4% of the votes, which considering his stance, was pretty good!

        Clown suits for al!

      • Chesty Canyons

        Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that I can show respect without having to wear a certain uniform to do it — thank dog!

  • Chesty Canyons

    Isn’t it a little oppressive being told what you can and can’t wear? I’m not trying to be a dick, just curious.

    For many, fashion is a form of personal expression, right? Doesn’t it seem harmful to perpetuate limits on how people express their creativity — especially young people? Doesn’t it seem damaging the enforce the notion that inner worth and ability must have a uniform?

    I agree with you on the polo shirt thing; any form of “yuppie” dress (khaki’s, tassled loafers, boating shoes, anything with a “label” etc) are vile in any setting.

    • bigchris1313

      While I agree that creativity and personal style are essential in determining the way one dresses, the freedom to be creative must be weighed against the value judgments that others will make based on your attire. Like it or not, people will judge you–and make judgments about your perceived judgment of them–based on what you wear. Not everyone will make the same judgment: for example, a group of students in Birkenstocks would likely elicit a different judgment from a Pitzer speaker than from a speaker at the Ath (ceteris paribus).

      As ridiculous as it seems to our [non-pejorative] liberal, individualist sensibilities, we are judged on our appearance; however, how each individual wants to deal with those judgments is up to him or her. Madison is advising that we show a basic level of respect for Ath speakers–and by extension to the school that works to bring them–by wearing attire that would be traditionally understood to indicate respect and civility in a formal environment.

      In this case, that attire is–at the very least–a dress shirts, trousers, and leather shoes/belt for gentlemen (and the equivalent for ladies). Wearing more casual attire sends a message to many Ath speakers–not to mention the administration–that the student is not showing the full level of respect appropriate. (Sure, you can meet the bare minimum if you want, but if you know what you should be wearing, why not wear it?) Of course, comportment plays a huge role in the level of perceived respect paid–boorish drunks in immaculate bespoke suits are presumably less respectful than a quiet, well-mannered student in street clothes–but clothes play a role nonetheless, a role that will continue for the rest of each student’s life, and one that he or she should learn to get used to. CMC trains its students to think critically and act as steadfast, rational individuals in a swirling sea of sheeple; however, CMC’s pragmatism mandates that we recognize the existence of social norms and the consequences of violating them. This includes the consequences of failing to dress appropriately.

      Obviously, conversation with an individual can undo previous judgments regarding a lack of respect based on attire, but the Ath speaker does not know whom he or she is going to converse with over the course of the evening. For most students, the level of perceived respect they show to the speaker will be based on their A) attire/grooming and B) behavior. Madison decided to focus on A, and she explained how to properly show the level of respect owed.

      The choice ultimately remains the student’s. Having said that, taking into account that the speaker is going to judge the individuals in the room based on overall appearance and behavior, wouldn’t you rather be part of the solution to this collective action problem and wear something befitting the occasion?*

      *This should not be construed as pointing a finger at you, Chesty. It was meant as a rhetorical question.

      • Chesty Canyons

        I get your points, but as somewhat of an idealist (and someone who spent a decade in the corporate suit-wearing world) I got to see firsthand just how lame it can be to have to dress up to try and pretend to be something. As a result, it’s a notion that I wholeheartedly reject and don’t want anything to do with. And before you say “welcome to the real world” — I’ve been in that world where costumes are required (before I returned to academia) and trust me, it’s a grim place.

        When Jello Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco, he was running again Feinstein whose platform including “cleaning up market street.” By this, she meant the tenderloin district. Jello’s platform, rather brilliantly, offered the same thing — only his intent was to clean up the other end of market street — he one with all the corporate business and banks and what not by forcing all businessmen to wear clown suits between the hours of 9 and 5.

        He got 4% of the votes, which considering his stance, was pretty good!

        Clown suits for al!

      • Chesty Canyons

        Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that I can show respect without having to wear a certain uniform to do it — thank dog!

  • Confused

    Wait, what’s wrong with dark dress shirts? Why do they look bad? Not attacking anyone, I just want to know why so I can dress better. :(

    • bigchris1313

      Madison is unequivocally correct.

      Dark dress shirts are always wrong in a serious environment.. I understand why people wear them in night clubs and similar settings, although I certainly never would; however, in less casual environments–interviews, cocktail parties, dinners at private clubs–such shirts are considered gauche. Why?

      The story–though not the reason–begins with the Victorian era, when men’s clothing fled its previously peacockish past (for the extreme, think Louis XIV) for a more reserved style. Drab colors ruled the day. Jackets, trousers, and waistcoats were black (and eventually charcoal) and shirts–considered undergarments at the time–were white. In particular, ones cuffs and collars–the parts of the shirt most visible–were white, to show that the wearer did not work in a Steel Mill or some such place and could afford to keep his shirts clean.

      To this day, the white oxford cloth shirt remains the most formal of all shirt men’s shirts. Why? Because it is the cleanest, simplest and most versatile. It is a blank slate, a sartorial tabula rasa, that can be combined with any jacket and any tie. It forms the foundation on which you mount of the rest of your outfit. It is a framing device. In keeping with the same ideas of moderation, other professional/serious shirt colors should also be versatile: light blue, lavender, ecru (of the three, light blue is by far the most formal). After solids, we enter into striped and checked territory, where we find–yet again–that the dressiest shirts are largely light blue or white. Simple. Clean. Versatile.

      The dark dress shirt, whether solid or patterned, is the antithesis of the dress shirt as understood in classic men’s style. It provides a foundation for nothing–it is not subdued and stable, but rather loud, aggressive, and “edgy.” This is fine for attracting female (or perhaps male) attention at The Meat Market, but not for a more serious outfit, which must fit together as a coherent whole.

      Even at the Ath, where only a few gentlemen wear jackets and ties, some level of formality is necessary. Obviously, it would be wonderful if every Stag in the room were bedecked in a tie and sport jacket or suit. If the cretin, err, student refuses to both a jacket and a tie, I would suggest either a light blue oxford–solid white shirts can sometimes be overkill of they’re only framing one’s face instead of face + tie + jacket–or a simple patterned or striped oxford in some combination of blue and white. The light blue solid or the blue/white pattern/stripe allows for some color while staying true to the shirt’s proper characteristics: simple, dressy, respectful.

      Listen to Madison. She knows what she’s talking about.

  • blueballs

    why can’t i wear blue to the ath?? i look GREAT in blue!

    • bigchris1313

      Of course you can wear blue. Madison never said that you couldn’t. It’s just that certain kinds of blue are (typically) mass-produced, are awful sartorial choices, and complement few people.

      Light Blue is always a good call. According to Flusser, it complements more men than pure white does It is the second-most formal color for a dress shirt and correct in all but the most formal situations (first round interviews, white shoe firms, etc.) Darker blues, regardless of what we call them–sky, French, whatever–are much harder to make work correctly in concert with the rest of an outfit, and if done cheaply, (think Men’s Wearhouse) can look hideous, especially when paired with a tie and jacket. Shoot for something more like:

      This.

      And not this.

  • Confused

    Wait, what’s wrong with dark dress shirts? Why do they look bad? Not attacking anyone, I just want to know why so I can dress better. :(

    • bigchris1313

      Madison is unequivocally correct.

      Dark dress shirts are always wrong in a serious environment.. I understand why people wear them in night clubs and similar settings, although I certainly never would; however, in less casual environments–interviews, cocktail parties, dinners at private clubs–such shirts are considered gauche. Why?

      The story–though not the reason–begins with the Victorian era, when men’s clothing fled its previously peacockish past (for the extreme, think Louis XIV) for a more reserved style. Drab colors ruled the day. Jackets, trousers, and waistcoats were black (and eventually charcoal) and shirts–considered undergarments at the time–were white. In particular, ones cuffs and collars–the parts of the shirt most visible–were white, to show that the wearer did not work in a Steel Mill or some such place and could afford to keep his shirts clean.

      To this day, the white oxford cloth shirt remains the most formal of all shirt men’s shirts. Why? Because it is the cleanest, simplest and most versatile. It is a blank slate, a sartorial tabula rasa, that can be combined with any jacket and any tie. It forms the foundation on which you mount of the rest of your outfit. It is a framing device. In keeping with the same ideas of moderation, other professional/serious shirt colors should also be versatile: light blue, lavender, ecru (of the three, light blue is by far the most formal). After solids, we enter into striped and checked territory, where we find–yet again–that the dressiest shirts are largely light blue or white. Simple. Clean. Versatile.

      The dark dress shirt, whether solid or patterned, is the antithesis of the dress shirt as understood in classic men’s style. It provides a foundation for nothing–it is not subdued and stable, but rather loud, aggressive, and “edgy.” This is fine for attracting female (or perhaps male) attention at The Meat Market, but not for a more serious outfit, which must fit together as a coherent whole.

      Even at the Ath, where only a few gentlemen wear jackets and ties, some level of formality is necessary. Obviously, it would be wonderful if every Stag in the room were bedecked in a tie and sport jacket or suit. If the cretin, err, student refuses to both a jacket and a tie, I would suggest either a light blue oxford–solid white shirts can sometimes be overkill of they’re only framing one’s face instead of face + tie + jacket–or a simple patterned or striped oxford in some combination of blue and white. The light blue solid or the blue/white pattern/stripe allows for some color while staying true to the shirt’s proper characteristics: simple, dressy, respectful.

      Listen to Madison. She knows what she’s talking about.

  • blueballs

    why can’t i wear blue to the ath?? i look GREAT in blue!

    • bigchris1313

      Of course you can wear blue. Madison never said that you couldn’t. It’s just that certain kinds of blue are (typically) mass-produced, are awful sartorial choices, and complement few people.

      Light Blue is always a good call. According to Flusser, it complements more men than pure white does It is the second-most formal color for a dress shirt and correct in all but the most formal situations (first round interviews, white shoe firms, etc.) Darker blues, regardless of what we call them–sky, French, whatever–are much harder to make work correctly in concert with the rest of an outfit, and if done cheaply, (think Men’s Wearhouse) can look hideous, especially when paired with a tie and jacket. Shoot for something more like:

      This.

      And not this.

  • get some

    that girl is clearly digging that chest hair.
    meeeoww

  • get some

    that girl is clearly digging that chest hair.
    meeeoww

  • Let me be clear

    Ladies,

    A skirt should be long enough to cover the essentials, short enough to keep it interesting.

  • Let me be clear

    Ladies,

    A skirt should be long enough to cover the essentials, short enough to keep it interesting.

  • Let me be clearer

    Our younger ladies at the College are dressed far too inappropriately at the Ath. I wouldn’t wear what those girls are wearing to TNC, let alone to hear a speaker.

  • Let me be clearer

    Our younger ladies at the College are dressed far too inappropriately at the Ath. I wouldn’t wear what those girls are wearing to TNC, let alone to hear a speaker.

  • Haterzz

    List of things that are wrong with this article:

    1. If anyone thinks of a game involving horses when they hear “polo shirt” they clearly need to check a calendar. Polos are now made in a variety of fine fabrics and are often as expensive, if not more expensive, as button-down shirts (such as the pricey ones from jcrew that you mentioned). Also, lovely that at your super nice high school you wore polos for PE, which cheapens them in your mind; don’t take that association and force it on other people.

    2. Elitism pops up again when you categorically reject all “cheap dress shirts.” Sometimes, people want to go to the ath who don’t get to shop with daddy’s credit card. Also, the fit of a dress shirt depends not on the quality of the shirt but on getting the right size.

    3. Relatedly, there is a disconnect between the quality of men’s clothing you require and the clothing you suggest for women. Why is it ok for women to wear low-quality, glued-together clothes from Forever 21 to the Ath, but men can’t wear a simple cotton shirt from H&M? For example, the Forever 21 skirt you recommend is primarily made of polyester (http://tinyurl.com/y7mqkfk). Cotton is cotton is cotton, but polyester will always be polyester.

    4. Sky blue shirts can be very attractive and are an office staple, especially when worn by men with lighter hair. Ex: Jim from the Office – http://tinyurl.com/y222rjq

    5. I second your idea that you shouldn’t wear anything that you would wear to TNC to the Ath. But I would rethink your clothing suggestions. The Forever 21 skirt shown above seems clearly far too short and tight to ever be worn to the Ath (please see the above link for pictures of the skirt on Forever 21′s website). Same with the dresses you showed as examples: they seem uncomfortably short. This dress, http://tinyurl.com/yyh5op6, is only 33 inches long in a size small and would stop much higher than three inches above the knee.

    It’s great to be interested in fashion but if you’re going to presume to tell people what to wear, maybe you should make sure your opinions aren’t as ill-thought-through as these are.

    • bigchris1313

      Point by point:

      1. The polo shirt was originally known as a tennis shirt and was worn by French tennis legend Rene Lacoste and was only later worn by polo players. Regardless of its origins, the polo shirt is undeniably less formal than a proper dress shirt. Shorter sleeves leave more skin exposed, which makes an outfit inherently less dressy. The collar is relatively unstructured, the polar opposite of a properly starched collar on a dress shirt. A polo shirt can never be paired with a tie. A pique knit is also less dressy than the end-on-end or pinpoint knit (to name only two) of dress shirts because it cannot be starched and ironed to look clean and crisp. Polo shirts are worn in casual to slightly dressy environments as a somewhat dressy yet sporty piece that occupies the niche between a t shirt and a dress shirt. Dress shirts are significantly more formal, and if given the choice, dress shirts should be worn at the Ath in the evening.

      2. Cheap can mean inexpensive, poorly-constructed, or both. I doubt Madison is decrying inexpensive shirts; rather, I imagine her problem is with the quality of the garment–which, I admit, much of the time correlates with the price. Many cheap shirts are both inexpensive and poorly-constructed (thin material, short, flimsy collar). It’s the poor quality that is the issue, as I’m sure you agree. Furthermore, students can find reasonably-priced good quality clothing if they’re just patient and take (significant) time to educate themselves. Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom’s Rack, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx–even Brooks Brothers during their Friends and Family Sales–these are all places for college students to carefully browse for good quality garments at affordable prices.

      3. I do not claim to understand women’s clothing; ergo, I will refrain from comment. I concur that polyester will always be polyester.

      4. I think we might be fighting a battle of semantics here. First, “sky blue” can have different shades and hues, so you and Madison may not even be talking about the same color. Second, many “sky blues” that I’m aware of are–aside from being generally unattractive–often too dark to pair with many outfits and (as I pointed out above) are often mass-produced for discount mens clothiers and hard-sold by their ill-informed sales associates as a “modern take” on a “classic look.” Wrong. The result is typically a trainwreck. It’s not that Sky Blue can never be right; it’s just very easy for it to be wrong, especially to the untrained eye (again, see above).

      5. Again, I plead extreme ignorance on the subject of women’s clothing.

  • Haterzz

    List of things that are wrong with this article:

    1. If anyone thinks of a game involving horses when they hear “polo shirt” they clearly need to check a calendar. Polos are now made in a variety of fine fabrics and are often as expensive, if not more expensive, as button-down shirts (such as the pricey ones from jcrew that you mentioned). Also, lovely that at your super nice high school you wore polos for PE, which cheapens them in your mind; don’t take that association and force it on other people.

    2. Elitism pops up again when you categorically reject all “cheap dress shirts.” Sometimes, people want to go to the ath who don’t get to shop with daddy’s credit card. Also, the fit of a dress shirt depends not on the quality of the shirt but on getting the right size.

    3. Relatedly, there is a disconnect between the quality of men’s clothing you require and the clothing you suggest for women. Why is it ok for women to wear low-quality, glued-together clothes from Forever 21 to the Ath, but men can’t wear a simple cotton shirt from H&M? For example, the Forever 21 skirt you recommend is primarily made of polyester (http://tinyurl.com/y7mqkfk). Cotton is cotton is cotton, but polyester will always be polyester.

    4. Sky blue shirts can be very attractive and are an office staple, especially when worn by men with lighter hair. Ex: Jim from the Office – http://tinyurl.com/y222rjq

    5. I second your idea that you shouldn’t wear anything that you would wear to TNC to the Ath. But I would rethink your clothing suggestions. The Forever 21 skirt shown above seems clearly far too short and tight to ever be worn to the Ath (please see the above link for pictures of the skirt on Forever 21′s website). Same with the dresses you showed as examples: they seem uncomfortably short. This dress, http://tinyurl.com/yyh5op6, is only 33 inches long in a size small and would stop much higher than three inches above the knee.

    It’s great to be interested in fashion but if you’re going to presume to tell people what to wear, maybe you should make sure your opinions aren’t as ill-thought-through as these are.

    • bigchris1313

      Point by point:

      1. The polo shirt was originally known as a tennis shirt and was worn by French tennis legend Rene Lacoste and was only later worn by polo players. Regardless of its origins, the polo shirt is undeniably less formal than a proper dress shirt. Shorter sleeves leave more skin exposed, which makes an outfit inherently less dressy. The collar is relatively unstructured, the polar opposite of a properly starched collar on a dress shirt. A polo shirt can never be paired with a tie. A pique knit is also less dressy than the end-on-end or pinpoint knit (to name only two) of dress shirts because it cannot be starched and ironed to look clean and crisp. Polo shirts are worn in casual to slightly dressy environments as a somewhat dressy yet sporty piece that occupies the niche between a t shirt and a dress shirt. Dress shirts are significantly more formal, and if given the choice, dress shirts should be worn at the Ath in the evening.

      2. Cheap can mean inexpensive, poorly-constructed, or both. I doubt Madison is decrying inexpensive shirts; rather, I imagine her problem is with the quality of the garment–which, I admit, much of the time correlates with the price. Many cheap shirts are both inexpensive and poorly-constructed (thin material, short, flimsy collar). It’s the poor quality that is the issue, as I’m sure you agree. Furthermore, students can find reasonably-priced good quality clothing if they’re just patient and take (significant) time to educate themselves. Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom’s Rack, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx–even Brooks Brothers during their Friends and Family Sales–these are all places for college students to carefully browse for good quality garments at affordable prices.

      3. I do not claim to understand women’s clothing; ergo, I will refrain from comment. I concur that polyester will always be polyester.

      4. I think we might be fighting a battle of semantics here. First, “sky blue” can have different shades and hues, so you and Madison may not even be talking about the same color. Second, many “sky blues” that I’m aware of are–aside from being generally unattractive–often too dark to pair with many outfits and (as I pointed out above) are often mass-produced for discount mens clothiers and hard-sold by their ill-informed sales associates as a “modern take” on a “classic look.” Wrong. The result is typically a trainwreck. It’s not that Sky Blue can never be right; it’s just very easy for it to be wrong, especially to the untrained eye (again, see above).

      5. Again, I plead extreme ignorance on the subject of women’s clothing.

  • Chesty Canyons

    “I like to pair feminine looking dresses with edgier accessories like a studded belt to give it an element of surprise.”

    Wow! You rebel!

    What next? A Gucci purse with a “Darfur” shirt?

    I can hardly contain my excitement!

    But on a side note, why on earth would you think that you have any kind of authority to tell people what they should and should not wear?

  • Chesty Canyons

    “I like to pair feminine looking dresses with edgier accessories like a studded belt to give it an element of surprise.”

    Wow! You rebel!

    What next? A Gucci purse with a “Darfur” shirt?

    I can hardly contain my excitement!

    But on a side note, why on earth would you think that you have any kind of authority to tell people what they should and should not wear?

  • Drew

    I don’t like the tone of this article.

    I don’t like the tone of these comments.

    I don’t like fashion.

  • Drew

    I don’t like the tone of this article.

    I don’t like the tone of these comments.

    I don’t like fashion.

  • Tiger Motherf@#king Woods

    I think one of my 100 dollar polos would fit quite nicely in the business casual setting of the Ath.

    • bigchris1313

      It would fit with the outfits of your ill-attired compatriots, certainly, but would it comport with the the ideals of the Athenaeum–the, shall we say, intent of the founders, as it were?

      Protip: Paying MSRP for polo shirts = FAIL

      • Fist McLoveneck

        But isn’t the whole idea of the founders to be successful (ie. very very disgustingly rich). So therefore, a polo-shirt that you paid $100 or even as high as $1000 would surely be passable as a way to show off your riches? how about if it has a crapload of designer labels plastered all over it… would that be allowed?

        • bigchris1313

          I once went for a ride with two mutual friends in their hometown of Tiburon, CA, a bay area city and one of the wealthiest in the nation (at least by some metrics). In a particularly lovely area, one of my associates informed me that the homes sold for no less than $10 million apiece. Puzzled–and stuck in my Angeleno mindset–I asked why it was that then that so many relatively modest cars, from Ford Explorers to Chevy Impalas, were parked on the street.

          He replied, “Money talks. Wealth whispers.”

        • psssssst

          The corvette’s in the garage.

  • Tiger Motherf@#king Woods

    I think one of my 100 dollar polos would fit quite nicely in the business casual setting of the Ath.

    • bigchris1313

      It would fit with the outfits of your ill-attired compatriots, certainly, but would it comport with the the ideals of the Athenaeum–the, shall we say, intent of the founders, as it were?

      Protip: Paying MSRP for polo shirts = FAIL

      • Fist McLoveneck

        But isn’t the whole idea of the founders to be successful (ie. very very disgustingly rich). So therefore, a polo-shirt that you paid $100 or even as high as $1000 would surely be passable as a way to show off your riches? how about if it has a crapload of designer labels plastered all over it… would that be allowed?

        • bigchris1313

          I once went for a ride with two mutual friends in their hometown of Tiburon, CA, a bay area city and one of the wealthiest in the nation (at least by some metrics). In a particularly lovely area, one of my associates informed me that the homes sold for no less than $10 million apiece. Puzzled–and stuck in my Angeleno mindset–I asked why it was that then that so many relatively modest cars, from Ford Explorers to Chevy Impalas, were parked on the street.

          He replied, “Money talks. Wealth whispers.”

        • psssssst

          The corvette’s in the garage.

  • Fashion is for sheep

    Maybe the ath. needs fashion security of some sort?

    Apparently it’s important to make sure your uniform sends that “special” message, so that way, if a student shows up in a shirt that is the wrong shade of gray, or a necklace that is just criminal to pair with last season YuppieCrew ™ , the fashion security can swiftly remove them and save us all from groaning embarrasment.

    Look up the Ali G clip in which Bruno makes a mockery out of the inane elitism of the fashion world, then hang your head in shame for even suggesting such ridiculous drivel as this.

    • bigchris1313

      The heresy of your comments notwithstanding, the Ath does need security. Though not fashion security–Style Security (TM). Their mission: to restore the lost ideal of men’s classic style and deliver the Stag student body from a perverse world a world of skinny ties and skinny jeans. I’m not sure what the female version would do–something similar but for Athenas, I imagine–but the idea would be to compel students to dress more like this and less like this.

      I personally volunteer to head the organization. My office will be decorated with a single photograph.

      • Andrew Jarmon

        I don’t know if you’ve picked up an issue of GQ lately, but skinny ties are definitely very classy. I’m not talking piano key skinny…more like 1960s, Mad Men skinny.

        Tie widths vary quite considerably, so you shouldn’t think of the world as “skinny” and “normal”. I’d rather see someone wearing a white dress shirt and a super skinny tie than a disgusting patterned one the width of my hand.

        Also gents, tie clips are very much “a la mode” right now, and I think they put the whole look together very well.

  • Fashion is for sheep

    Maybe the ath. needs fashion security of some sort?

    Apparently it’s important to make sure your uniform sends that “special” message, so that way, if a student shows up in a shirt that is the wrong shade of gray, or a necklace that is just criminal to pair with last season YuppieCrew ™ , the fashion security can swiftly remove them and save us all from groaning embarrasment.

    Look up the Ali G clip in which Bruno makes a mockery out of the inane elitism of the fashion world, then hang your head in shame for even suggesting such ridiculous drivel as this.

    • bigchris1313

      The heresy of your comments notwithstanding, the Ath does need security. Though not fashion security–Style Security (TM). Their mission: to restore the lost ideal of men’s classic style and deliver the Stag student body from a perverse world a world of skinny ties and skinny jeans. I’m not sure what the female version would do–something similar but for Athenas, I imagine–but the idea would be to compel students to dress more like this and less like this.

      I personally volunteer to head the organization. My office will be decorated with a single photograph.

      • Andrew Jarmon

        I don’t know if you’ve picked up an issue of GQ lately, but skinny ties are definitely very classy. I’m not talking piano key skinny…more like 1960s, Mad Men skinny.

        Tie widths vary quite considerably, so you shouldn’t think of the world as “skinny” and “normal”. I’d rather see someone wearing a white dress shirt and a super skinny tie than a disgusting patterned one the width of my hand.

        Also gents, tie clips are very much “a la mode” right now, and I think they put the whole look together very well.

  • Andrew Jarmon

    Madison, I appreciated the article.

    However I think some of the things that you qualify as “Do NOT” are less cardinal sins but rather things you should avoid unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

    Frankly, I would have appreciated it if the article was separated in to “X is strictly against the rules” and “I would recommend you don’t do Y”

    Otherwise it sounds a little haughty. I frankly think you could pull off some of the colors you mentioned not to wear with the right jacket (i.e. white/egg shell white) if one were so inclined. It’d be more of a spring look but I’ve seen it done.

  • Andrew Jarmon

    Madison, I appreciated the article.

    However I think some of the things that you qualify as “Do NOT” are less cardinal sins but rather things you should avoid unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

    Frankly, I would have appreciated it if the article was separated in to “X is strictly against the rules” and “I would recommend you don’t do Y”

    Otherwise it sounds a little haughty. I frankly think you could pull off some of the colors you mentioned not to wear with the right jacket (i.e. white/egg shell white) if one were so inclined. It’d be more of a spring look but I’ve seen it done.

  • Clueless

    Does anyone else feel like all this fashion stuff is just unbelievably tiring to try and keep up with? I’m just no good at it and will buy individual things that I like and are affordable without regard for thinking up well-constructed outfits that fit the stringent requirements of some of the people commenting, and certainly the writer of the article. I’m not being ironic or anything, I really do wish I could dress to impress but I’ve never really been taught how. And it seems so hard to learn all these things so late in the game. I think I dress okay most of the time but really I don’t know. Does anyone else feel this way?

    Basically I just want someone to choose all my clothes for me so I can look fly without having to worry about all these things. Any takers?

  • Clueless

    Does anyone else feel like all this fashion stuff is just unbelievably tiring to try and keep up with? I’m just no good at it and will buy individual things that I like and are affordable without regard for thinking up well-constructed outfits that fit the stringent requirements of some of the people commenting, and certainly the writer of the article. I’m not being ironic or anything, I really do wish I could dress to impress but I’ve never really been taught how. And it seems so hard to learn all these things so late in the game. I think I dress okay most of the time but really I don’t know. Does anyone else feel this way?

    Basically I just want someone to choose all my clothes for me so I can look fly without having to worry about all these things. Any takers?

  • I Rock Striped Hats

    Madison, it’s nice that fashion gives you something to occupy your time with, but don’t force your pet hobby down our throats. Students and professors make up most of the crowd at Ath events. I don’t think most professors are judging us based on what season our outfit is from or whether our shirt frames our face well. In fact, I think you would be appalled by many professors’ outfits. So whose judgment are you shielding us from, then? It seems like your own. I suppose that’s gracious of you, but you could just start basing your opinions on the content of our character instead.

    I’m reminded of this passage from my favorite 20th century American philosopher:

    • I Rock Striped Hats

      “Belly stars are no longer in style”, said McBean.
      “What you need is a trip through my Star-Off Machine.
      This wondrous contraption will take OFF your stars
      so you won’t look like Sneetches that have them on thars.”
      And that handy machine working very precisely
      Removed all the stars from their tummies quite nicely.

      Then, with snoots in the air, they paraded about.
      And they opened their beaks and they let out a shout,
      “We know who is who! Now there Isn’t a doubt.
      The best kind of Sneetches are Sneetches without!”

      Then, of course, those with stars got all frightfully mad.
      To be wearing a star was frightfully bad.
      Then, of course, old Sylvester McMonkey McBean
      invited THEM into his Star-Off Machine.

      Then, of course from THEN on, as you probably guess,
      Things really got into a horrible mess.

      All the rest of that day, on those wild screaming beaches,
      The Fix-It-Up Chappie kept fixing up Sneetches.
      Off again! On again! In again! Out again!
      Through the machines they raced round and about again,

      Changing their stars every minute or two. They kept paying money.
      They kept running through until the Plain nor the Star-Bellies knew
      Whether this one was that one or that one was this one. Or which one
      Was what one or what one was who.

      Then, when every last cent of their money was spent,
      The Fix-It-Up Chappie packed up. And he went.
      And he laughed as he drove In his car up the beach,
      “They never will learn. No. You can’t Teach a Sneetch!”

      But McBean was quite wrong. I’m quite happy to say.
      That the Sneetches got really quite smart on that day.
      The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches.
      And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches.
      That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars and whether
      They had one, or not, upon thars.

      -Theodor Geisel

  • I Rock Striped Hats

    Madison, it’s nice that fashion gives you something to occupy your time with, but don’t force your pet hobby down our throats. Students and professors make up most of the crowd at Ath events. I don’t think most professors are judging us based on what season our outfit is from or whether our shirt frames our face well. In fact, I think you would be appalled by many professors’ outfits. So whose judgment are you shielding us from, then? It seems like your own. I suppose that’s gracious of you, but you could just start basing your opinions on the content of our character instead.

    I’m reminded of this passage from my favorite 20th century American philosopher:

    • I Rock Striped Hats

      “Belly stars are no longer in style”, said McBean.
      “What you need is a trip through my Star-Off Machine.
      This wondrous contraption will take OFF your stars
      so you won’t look like Sneetches that have them on thars.”
      And that handy machine working very precisely
      Removed all the stars from their tummies quite nicely.

      Then, with snoots in the air, they paraded about.
      And they opened their beaks and they let out a shout,
      “We know who is who! Now there Isn’t a doubt.
      The best kind of Sneetches are Sneetches without!”

      Then, of course, those with stars got all frightfully mad.
      To be wearing a star was frightfully bad.
      Then, of course, old Sylvester McMonkey McBean
      invited THEM into his Star-Off Machine.

      Then, of course from THEN on, as you probably guess,
      Things really got into a horrible mess.

      All the rest of that day, on those wild screaming beaches,
      The Fix-It-Up Chappie kept fixing up Sneetches.
      Off again! On again! In again! Out again!
      Through the machines they raced round and about again,

      Changing their stars every minute or two. They kept paying money.
      They kept running through until the Plain nor the Star-Bellies knew
      Whether this one was that one or that one was this one. Or which one
      Was what one or what one was who.

      Then, when every last cent of their money was spent,
      The Fix-It-Up Chappie packed up. And he went.
      And he laughed as he drove In his car up the beach,
      “They never will learn. No. You can’t Teach a Sneetch!”

      But McBean was quite wrong. I’m quite happy to say.
      That the Sneetches got really quite smart on that day.
      The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches.
      And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches.
      That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars and whether
      They had one, or not, upon thars.

      -Theodor Geisel

  • CMC’s classier than that

    I think the main point of Madison’s message isn’t for the sake of vanity. The point is, girls are dressing like they’re going out to a club or trying to shack up with the dudes they meet at the Ath. So put on some clothes and stop.

    • I Rock Striped Hats

      I don’t think that’s the main point at all. If it was, why would she have needed a section on how guys dress improperly (buy more expensive shirts!) and how girls have a responsibility to keep up with the latest fashion trends. I agree that there’s something to be said for respecting a base dress code at the Athenaeum, but when she dismisses articles of clothing as “so very 2008″ she comes across as disgustingly elitist.

  • CMC’s classier than that

    I think the main point of Madison’s message isn’t for the sake of vanity. The point is, girls are dressing like they’re going out to a club or trying to shack up with the dudes they meet at the Ath. So put on some clothes and stop.

    • I Rock Striped Hats

      I don’t think that’s the main point at all. If it was, why would she have needed a section on how guys dress improperly (buy more expensive shirts!) and how girls have a responsibility to keep up with the latest fashion trends. I agree that there’s something to be said for respecting a base dress code at the Athenaeum, but when she dismisses articles of clothing as “so very 2008″ she comes across as disgustingly elitist.

  • We the sheeple…

    I found this article pretty offensive and silly as well.

    Maybe the best solution is that Madison follows her own inane rules and keeps her mouth shut about what everybody else ought to do.

    Plus, the uniforms that she picked out for everyone are simply hideous.

  • We the sheeple…

    I found this article pretty offensive and silly as well.

    Maybe the best solution is that Madison follows her own inane rules and keeps her mouth shut about what everybody else ought to do.

    Plus, the uniforms that she picked out for everyone are simply hideous.

  • A CMCer

    I think it’s quite offensive to demand that men buy J. Crew shirts, which you inexplicably seem to believe are inexpensive. I, for one, am a CMC student who simply cannot afford to shop at J. Crew. Even their sale prices are too much for me to pay. I completely understand the points you make about quality, and I agree that many people dress inappropriately, but your tone in this article is quite haughty and rude. It is important to note that people will sometimes judge you if you wear “cheap” clothing (like from Old Navy, which is fine for girls but ought to be beneath guys?), but isn’t this the sort of elitist and discriminatory attitude that we should try to avoid? Instead, this article only reinforces and supports the idea of judging other people based on their appearance. Just because some people discriminate does not mean we should try to cater to their preferences. While some of this is good information, much is only your own opinion, and presenting it as ironclad law and scorning those who violate it is rude. Class and fashion are not synonymous, and something can be appropriate and formal despite it being “so 2008.”

    • FCUK FASHION

      As punishment for writing such a nauseatingly repugnant article, Madison should be forced to wear last season’s Gucci for the rest of the semester and suffer the indignation of being a few months out of style.

  • A CMCer

    I think it’s quite offensive to demand that men buy J. Crew shirts, which you inexplicably seem to believe are inexpensive. I, for one, am a CMC student who simply cannot afford to shop at J. Crew. Even their sale prices are too much for me to pay. I completely understand the points you make about quality, and I agree that many people dress inappropriately, but your tone in this article is quite haughty and rude. It is important to note that people will sometimes judge you if you wear “cheap” clothing (like from Old Navy, which is fine for girls but ought to be beneath guys?), but isn’t this the sort of elitist and discriminatory attitude that we should try to avoid? Instead, this article only reinforces and supports the idea of judging other people based on their appearance. Just because some people discriminate does not mean we should try to cater to their preferences. While some of this is good information, much is only your own opinion, and presenting it as ironclad law and scorning those who violate it is rude. Class and fashion are not synonymous, and something can be appropriate and formal despite it being “so 2008.”

    • FCUK FASHION

      As punishment for writing such a nauseatingly repugnant article, Madison should be forced to wear last season’s Gucci for the rest of the semester and suffer the indignation of being a few months out of style.

  • hmmmm

    Yeah, basically Madison, shut the f**k up. There have never been any problems with how people dress at the ath usually.

    $135.00 dress shirts not expensive? Maybe easy for you to say….

  • hmmmm

    Yeah, basically Madison, shut the f**k up. There have never been any problems with how people dress at the ath usually.

    $135.00 dress shirts not expensive? Maybe easy for you to say….

  • No Thanks

    An offer: You wear what you like, I’ll wear what I like, and we’ll sort out after graduation who has made more money on his own.

    The poor, classless economics-government major or the rich, spoiled Lit major…

  • No Thanks

    An offer: You wear what you like, I’ll wear what I like, and we’ll sort out after graduation who has made more money on his own.

    The poor, classless economics-government major or the rich, spoiled Lit major…

  • average joe

    J. Crew and Brooks Brothers (even on sale) are inexpensive?
    Sky blue shirts are bad because they’re “mass-produced for discount mens clothiers” ?

    The pretentiousness is really disheartening.

  • average joe

    J. Crew and Brooks Brothers (even on sale) are inexpensive?
    Sky blue shirts are bad because they’re “mass-produced for discount mens clothiers” ?

    The pretentiousness is really disheartening.

  • Bernardos

    Okay, let’s see. What is exactly the definition of a “discount mens’ clothier”? According to you, what stores should I frequent and avoid?

  • Bernardos

    Okay, let’s see. What is exactly the definition of a “discount mens’ clothier”? According to you, what stores should I frequent and avoid?

  • ’09 Alum

    Madison’s article took a turn for the worst when she touched on anything having to do with class, fashion, etc… Come on lit major… work your degree by knowing your audience and adapting your tone accordingly. You do come off as spoiled and rich, and as a lit major, above all – you should learn how to SELL your ideas.

    It’s definitely true that in the real world, people judge you by what you are wearing. The ath provides a great opportunity to build your professional wardrobe and make your boring business-casual stylish.

    When you graduate, the real world will shock the hell out of you, and knowing how to dress & present yourself = one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

    I’m 100% with Madison’s intent, but her delivery is a bit obnoxious. Sorry Madison – nobody wants to listen to a snobby fashionista with a very patronizing voice… whether or not that is actually who you are.

    (along the same lines, many girls at the ath look like total hoes. Is that how you want prospective employers, professors, etc. to perceive you?)

  • ’09 Alum

    Madison’s article took a turn for the worst when she touched on anything having to do with class, fashion, etc… Come on lit major… work your degree by knowing your audience and adapting your tone accordingly. You do come off as spoiled and rich, and as a lit major, above all – you should learn how to SELL your ideas.

    It’s definitely true that in the real world, people judge you by what you are wearing. The ath provides a great opportunity to build your professional wardrobe and make your boring business-casual stylish.

    When you graduate, the real world will shock the hell out of you, and knowing how to dress & present yourself = one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

    I’m 100% with Madison’s intent, but her delivery is a bit obnoxious. Sorry Madison – nobody wants to listen to a snobby fashionista with a very patronizing voice… whether or not that is actually who you are.

    (along the same lines, many girls at the ath look like total hoes. Is that how you want prospective employers, professors, etc. to perceive you?)