The Athenaeum is a Serious Project – We Should Dress Like It

Image via Calisphere. Copyright Honnold Mudd Library.

As a freshman eagerly anticipating my arrival at CMC, I couldn’t wait for my opportunity to attend the Ath for the first time. Listening to an academic speaker, engaging in intellectual conversations, and an opportunity to dress in a way that would reflect my future career all seemed like important steps that would help prepare me for life beyond CMC.

Throughout high school, I rarely dressed in formal attire. In July, before I left for CMC, my mom and I spent quality mother-daughter time at our favorite place on Earth: the local Goodwill on senior citizen Wednesdays. There, we spent $25 on three pairs of dress pants and a sweater that reminded me of the outfits I saw on the Ath's webpage. My mom then gave me a few dresses and dress shirts she no longer had any use for. 

After signing up for my first Ath event, my excitement grew. It felt like playing dress up when I was a little kid, except this time, it was dress up for real life. My roommate and I acted like little girls, taking turns going through what felt like princess dresses, but really were just knee-length skirts and khaki pants. 

When I showed up to the Ath, however, I instantly felt overdressed. Every other freshman girl I talked to was wearing some variation of a homecoming dress, jeans and a “going out top,” or an outfit that would only be appropriate for a Green Beach party.

I thought back to the email sent to all freshmen during our first week, detailing everything we needed to know about the Ath. “It's pretty simple: think of it like you’re going to a fancy restaurant, and just don’t wear shorts, sweatpants, jeans, flip-flops, or T-shirts,” it explained. “The point is just to make the evening feel a little bit special. Need help getting appropriate attire? Just contact the Dean of Students.” 

My family didn’t raise me in an especially affluent fashion. We never thought much about designer suits, prom dresses, or name-brands. Most of my clothes came from Goodwill on senior citizen Wednesdays. 

Yet despite the price point of what I wore, there was no excuse for inappropriate dress. “Don’t wear that to church, that’s a dinner outfit.” “That’s a school shirt, not for dinner at Grandma’s.” Their words rang in my head as I looked around at the other’s outfits at the Ath. While their clothing looked expensive, it was never something I would consider “dressy” or “business casual.” 

I thought that over time, people would grow more accustomed to the Ath's dress code. However, things have only worsened throughout the semester as people have become more comfortable bending the rules. Scooby-Doo crop tops, ripped jeans, and lululemon jackets grew in prevalence every week. I showed up one night in my Goodwill sweater and dress pants, and the first thing someone said to me was, “Well aren’t you dressed up!” I disagreed. Wasn’t I simply dressed for the event? 

The issue cannot be reduced to financial limitations - students can simply contact DOS if they need assistance buying proper dress. It’s instead a problem of growing apathy to the seriousness of the Athenaeum’s project. The opportunity we have at CMC to regularly hear noted scholars, artists, activists, and government officials speak is nothing short of incredible, and it does a disservice to both speakers and listeners to treat it like an informal occasion. 

Presenting oneself formally does something to elevate one’s consciousness out of its default state. It serves as a reminder, both to oneself and others, that moments inside the Athenaeum are indeed “a little bit special,” and that we must meet the moment intellectually as well as sartorially. There’s a reason universities like Cambridge have long required “academical dress" for university events - the weight of the life of the mind demands it. 

For those who need data to be convinced, social science has borne out similar findings. In a study conducted by Columbia University, researchers found that dressing formally in workplace settings allowed people to have better abstract focus and increased productivity, simply due to a change in mindset. Suits and dresses don’t just look nice, they prime students to participate in the intellectual nature of the Ath. 

If CMC still stands by the Athenaeum Guidelines, it must not shy away from enforcement. There are clear outlines for the dress code, and it is the responsibility of both students and faculty to adhere to it. By dressing appropriately, students begin to understand the importance of formality and the impact it can have on their intellect. In disregarding the dress code, they disregard the sanctity of the learning environment.