Opinion: Athleisure has no place in academia
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As an athletic powerhouse, it’s no surprise that athleisure is everywhere at UO. It’s ideal for a visit to the Rec or hungover coffee trips, but deep down, I can’t help but feel frustrated when I see 80% of my classmates solely wearing sweatpants in lectures.
After a brief exploration of clothing’s role in the classroom, I’ve cemented my belief that we should “dress up” for class and the day in general. Our dependence on leisure wear perpetuates a passive approach to life and academics, one that deprives academics of the level of respect that we deserve.
In wearing semi-professional clothing, students contribute to an academic environment that takes itself seriously and pays respect to the people and level of thinking exhibited.
UO’s first-year French supervisor Connie Dickey elaborated on this concept.
“Clothing affects how people perceive you and how they treat you. That’s why I think it’s important to dress professionally as a teacher,” Dickey said. “I believe that I am owed respect as a professor and that I owe my students respect. People who don’t dress appropriately make it difficult for other students and their teacher to interact with them.”
Hope Williams, a UO first-year student, shared her perspective on the sweats debate.
“If I’m wearing pajamas to class, I either have to do laundry or just want to be extra comfy that day. It has nothing to do with respect,” Williams said.
At the same time, dressing casually contributes to an overall passive approach to education. If you don’t care enough about your classes to put on real clothes, it’s debatable whether you truly value your access to higher education.
“When I see students dressing professionally, the level of discussion and interaction amongst peers and between teachers and students is at a higher level. Students are better able to discuss serious topics and find it enriching compared to a casual atmosphere,” Dickey said.
There’s a psychological basis behind this association. As described in their paper titled “The Impact of Student Outfit Choice on Class Participation,” North Carolina State University students Emily Law and Cynthia Istook conducted an experiment in which students were instructed to dress either casually or professionally and subsequently observed their behavior. The study found that “there was a noticeable difference in participation depending on what students wore during class. On the day students were directed to wear leisurewear, participation was extremely lacking.”
Beyond the classroom, clothing serves as an essential form of self-expression. By defaulting to the same sweatsuit and tennis shoes, we miss out on the opportunity to further develop our sense of style and identity.
This brings me to another irking aspect of athleisure: In all of its boring glory, it overshadows its culturally relevant counterpart in streetwear. As described by Medium, streetwear is “a style born in the heart of urban landscapes … It’s a blend of hip-hop fashion, punk and sportswear elements, evolving with each subculture it touches.”
In contrast, athleisure blends athletic wear with the comfort of everyday sweats. In my eyes, it serves as a gentrification of streetwear, watering it down to unoriginal patterns with an emphasis on branding. It lacks the attention to detail and expressiveness of streetwear but has overtaken it in popularity as our culture becomes more and more health-obsessed.
I understand the convenience of being able to leave class and work out immediately after, but in reality, how often does this truly happen? Additionally, is it worth sacrificing academic seriousness and individualism all for the sake of comfort?
At times, this exchange is worth it, but I wholeheartedly believe that the majority of people would benefit from altering their perspective on clothing. I, for one, have made an effort to consistently “dress for class” this quarter, and I’ve only missed my sweats a handful of times.
Sweats are beloved for a good reason, and I don’t expect or want anybody to give them up entirely. However, when you have the time and energy, try to make an effort in your choice of clothing. When you look good, you feel good, and I sincerely believe that what you wear changes your outlook on life. And for the sake of us all, give that White Fox hoodie a break.