Imagine yourself walking into an 8:30 a.m. lecture; what are you most likely to see? Usually, it’s a sea of sweatpants, hoodies and the occasional student in pajamas. For many college students in America, this is the norm. However, as campuses continue to become increasingly casual and study abroad experiences expose students to different cultural standards, a question arises: Should there be expectations for how students present themselves in the classroom?
This question tends to cause a divide amongst students at Fordham, where opinions range from “anything goes” to “put in some effort.” Thomas Huvane, FCRH ’26, doesn’t hesitate about his stance. “Sweatpants and pajamas are crazy,” he said. “It just says lazy in my opinion. Like you couldn’t put on an actual pair of pants this morning?” Huvane, who typically wears jeans and a tee or polo shirt to class, believes students should embrace a basic level of presentability without going full business casual. “Just put on a pair of pants that have a zipper and maybe a second layer that doesn’t have a hood,” he said.
On the other hand, Kelvin Suarez, FCRH ’26, takes a more lenient view. “I feel that, for the most part, students dress appropriately for class,” he said. “Everyone has their own freedom of expression, and I think it’s cool seeing everyone’s unique style on campus.” Suarez, who admitted that he prioritizes comfort with hoodies and sweatpants for early morning classes, argued that as long as clothing is not viewed as offensive or disrespectful, personal choice should be valued.. “I feel that our main focus should be on what we’re learning, not what we’re wearing,” he emphasized.
Steven Sarmiento, FCRH ’26, stands on a middle ground. While he usually wears a sweatsuit to class for comfort, he acknowledges the value of occasionally dressing more formally. “Dressing in more formal or business casual attire once a week could be beneficial as it helps students adapt to a professional mindset and prepares them for a real-world work environment,” Sarmiento explained.
However, one important observation emerges across all three students: Lincoln Center and Rose Hill have different dress cultures. Huvane, who has taken classes at both campuses, is blunt about the difference. “There are definitely a lot of fashion-conscious students, and the competition is much more fierce,” he said about Lincoln Center, adding that Rose Hill has “a lot more” casually dressed students.
Suarez offers insight into why this discrepancy exists. He lived at Lincoln Center for two summers and points to both the student body and the physical environment. “Many students are involved in fine arts fields like theater, performance, acting and screenwriting. Because those majors naturally involve creativity and self-expression, students often treat their clothing like a canvas,” he explained. Additionally, Lincoln Center’s mostly indoor campus means students don’t have to battle the weather each day. “At Rose Hill, since the campus is outdoors, we often prioritize warmth over style, especially in colder months,” he said.
For students who have traveled internationally, American campus culture stands out as particularly casual. Suarez, who has visited several European countries such as Spain, France, Italy and England, noticed immediate differences. “In many of these places, everyday fashion leans more toward business casual or polished casual. You see fewer sweatpants and hoodies and more dress pants, coats, polos and coordinated outfits,” he said. The architecture and atmosphere of European cities seem to encourage people to present themselves well.
Huvane also agrees with this observation, noting that, “Americans are just more lax when it comes to everyday attire. Europeans actually give thought to how they look.” This cultural difference raises questions about whether American students are missing out on developing professional presentation skills or simply embracing a more egalitarian, comfort-focused approach to education.
So, should classrooms enforce dress standards? The general consensus among these students leans toward no, but not without stipulations. Suarez argues that turning classrooms into professional environments “would create unnecessary pressure and make things feel higher-stakes than they already are.” Students already have to deal with academic, personal and financial stress without including appearance or aesthetic expectations to the mix.
However, he does see room for professionalism in certain situations. “I do see how professionalism can possibly fit into the classroom with presentations, debates or seminars, since it is good preparation for the real world,” Suarez said. Sarmiento also echoes this principle, believing that while strict dress codes aren’t necessary, occasional formal attire helps reinforce professionalism and accountability.
Perhaps the most accurate answer lies in Suarez’s definition of presentability: “Being presentable doesn’t mean dressing formally, but instead it means showing up looking put together and respectful.” Whether in sweatpants or slacks, the common ideal is effort; showing up looking intentional rather than like you just rolled out of bed. After all, college can be viewed as both a place of learning and preparation for professional life. Finding the balance between comfort and presentation may be less about enforcing rules and more about encouraging students to develop their own sense of what it means to show up and show out for themselves, their education and their future.
Raeann Gopaul, FCRH ’26, is psychology major on a pre-law track from the Bronx, NY.
