Yesterday, the Upper School held the first Professional Dress Day of the year.  The date was selected to coincide with the “Freshman Chapel Takeover,” a new tradition this year where each grade-level will be responsible for leading chapel services. 

According to the administration, there year will see eight dress-up days instead of four, with the purpose of using the occasions to teach students the importance of professional dress, along with the practical knowledge of how to do so.  

In the past, dress-up days have only gone so well, with many students falling short of the expected dress code.  But Upper School Assistant Director Mr. Jaime Moore said this one was a success. 

“A vast majority followed the dress code,” Moore said. “It helped that Mrs. Conn emailed parents pictures of what a proper dress code looked like.”

Moore added the new policy changes made things run more smoothly.  “We loosened restrictions on boys not being required to wear a tie and formal dress shoes,” Moore said. 

Historically, Professional Dress Days take place on special occasions, such as for All Saints Day Chapel, Saint Stephen’s Day Chapel, and academic award chapels.  But with the addition of grade-level-led chapels each interim, the number will increase from four to eight this year.  

“Eight per year out of 170 or some school days is not a lot,” Moore said about the increase. “That’s only five percent of school days.”

Professional Dress Days garner mixed opinions from the student body.  

Junior Fergus McLeod doesn’t have a wide array of dress-up clothes.  

“I don’t like how some students flaunt their accessories while others like myself just have a plain white shirt and pants,” McLeod said. “I almost never dress up so I don’t really have any cool clothing.” 

For others, professional dress is a part of their usual routine.  Sophomore Carter Hasbrouck enjoys dressing professionally.   

“I like feeling spiffy,” Hasbrouck said. “I like the feeling of importance I gain while being dressed up.”