While sweatpants and sweatshirts are basically unbeatable, they are also unattractive and unprofessional. 

It’s tempting to prioritize dressing for warmth and comfort in mid-winter. It’s so much easier to roll out of bed, throw on comfy clothes, and head up the hill for another mundane day. 

But should we really convey laziness and apathy to our professors, fellow students, and ourselves, even if it’s what we are feeling inside?

Dressing up for class is a good and necessary practice because it both conveys professionalism and seriousness about our education, and it naturally forces engagement and an attitude change.

But dressing up doesn’t have to mean business professional attire every day. A range from presentable to business casual is a good aim.

Class is a time for learning and participation, not for lounging and passivity. Loungewear implies flippancy,  lack of motivation, and disinterest. Instead, our exterior presentation should communicate seriousness, ambition, and engagement.

“Our exterior is a reflection of our interior,” junior Hannah Arends said. “We are not just souls, but body and soul. It glorifies God to dress in a way that reflects our dignity as God’s children.”

Many professors dress up daily, wearing either button-down shirts, a tie, and a suit jacket, or skirts and dresses. Imagine if a professor entered a classroom in sweats. It would probably induce some snickers and confusion. Students would naturally become less engaged because their professor would be communicating that the material up for discussion that day isn’t important and doesn’t demand serious attention. If our professors dress well for the discipline, students should too.

Dressing well in college is good preparation for the professional world because adults don’t wear sweatpants to work, Arends said.

“College is a great time to start creating your professional wardrobe,” Arends said. “It’s also a safe place to try new things and learn more about what looks good on you.”

Presentation says much about a person, and the same is true of our money. Students are paying lots of money for a Hillsdale education. Investing thousands of dollars in something that you then show little care or appreciation for is inconsistent and could be a waste of dollars. 

Presenting a respectable outward appearance induces a positive attitude in students. Forcing ourselves to do the harder thing and put on a nice outfit also forces a better attitude for the day. 

I often joke “fake it till you make it” if I’m complimented on an outfit, and there is some truth to that. Even if I don’t feel like putting on a nice outfit to wear up the hill all day, it makes me appear eager and committed, which changes my initial negative attitude toward the day. In 2015, the Association for Psychological Science released a study titled, “When Clothing Style Influences Cognitive Style.” 

“The formality of clothing might not only influence the way others perceive a person, and how people perceive themselves, but could influence decision making in important ways through its influence on processing style,” researchers said.

Your outfits aren’t just communicating to others — they are communicating to yourself. And one day, you may even look forward to dressing up. Presenting yourself at your best creates confidence and assertion. 

You may be surprised at your lifted spirits if you dress up for class. Suddenly, the wind and snow are less suffocating, and spring break is right around the corner.