Revised Dress Code for 2020-21
The purpose of our dress code is to help you to understand that what you wear depends on many factors including personal expression, choice, and cultural identity, and to learn to be open and adaptable while assessing the requirements and expectations of various social situations you will encounter. At Holderness, we have traditionally asked community members to dress in a range of ways - from the most formal at celebratory and official occasions, seated community meals, and chapel, to the more casual worn during down-time. In this time of COVID 19, in order to streamline clothing that is brought to school and to reduce the potential added stress of wardrobe decisions at various times of day, we have decided to simplify the dress code for the 2020-21 school year.
During the class day, wear what is comfortable, clean, and neat. T-shirts, jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, athletic clothing, pajamas, slippers, leggings, and clothing with rips, holes, or tears should not be worn when classes are in session. More casual attire is allowed once the class day is over, though we still will adhere to a modicum of formality by prohibiting clothing with text and artwork that may be deemed inappropriate, provocative, or offensive. Only a small amount of common sense is needed to understand what the spirit of this revised dress code requires, and we hope that the relaxing of our usual dress code will be met with both appreciation and compliance. As with all things given, they can be taken back, and no one wants this revised dress code to be rescinded because of chronic non-compliance!
There are no gender-specific requirements for the revised dress code. Both boys and girls can wear shirts without collars as long as they are not t-shirts or athletic wear. Shorts can be worn through the end of October, though cut-offs or shorts that are too short should not be worn to class. In fact, any clothing that is overly revealing (from an adult’s perspective, like a grandparent) is also inappropriate and does include spaghetti straps on some tops that girls like to wear. As with our usual dress code, we do not want clothing to be a distraction or hindrance to learning in the classroom. Colored denim will be allowed; hats in buildings will not. As with the regular dress code, if any faculty member objects to what you are wearing and asks you to change, you change without argument or eye-rolling. We don’t want to list everything that is allowed and not allowed in this revised or the regular dress code, and we definitely don’t want you to play the game of trying to get away with something you know will be pushing the boundaries. Especially in this time, I hope that we can agree that we have more important things to concern ourselves with. Finally, remember, always wear your mask inside classroom buildings and places where you will be in close contact with others!
Whatever you end up bringing for clothes, please don’t bring too much because we want you to be able to move out without too much time or work to pack up. We also need to have rooms not too cluttered so we can keep them clear and clean. Pack lightly, as if you are going on an extended trip abroad, and get ready for the adventure of starting this most unusual school year in the fall!
If you have any questions about this in advance of your return to campus or during the school year, please get in touch with Mr. Lin ([email protected]) or Mr. Cabot ([email protected]).