Walking through TCU’s campus you’ll see all kinds –dozens-- of faces that you recognize, whether from frog camp or class or perhaps from the bar the night before. All of these faces seem unique until you notice the one thing that they all have in common: their clothes.
There is a definite underground dress code at this university. You won't find it by reading the handbook (which I’m sure we all do regardless) or by searching for it online, but it can be easily spotted walking the Greek, peeking your eyes through a classroom window, or surprisingly enough, by asking a professor.
Your average TCU girl begins her day in Nike shorts—affectionately termed ‘norts’--, an oversized Greek affiliated t-shirt, and either tennis shoes or her Tory Burch sandals. Surprisingly less uniform are the guys. You’ll see two different looks: they pair either jeans or khakis with a button down and boots or a Greek-affiliated t-shirt (in the correct size for their body) and tennis shoes.
The dress code is not strict in the sense that shirts have to be tucked and skirts need to be lengthened like the good ol’ days of grade school and high school, but the rules exist nonetheless. What keeps it enforced are the stares and questions that come from dressing differently.
I typically adhere to TCU’s unofficial ‘dress code’ because of its undeniable comfort and lack of effort, but sometimes I just feel like dressing up a little. Look good, feel good; dress well, test well. There are also times when I feel like putting absolutely no effort into my look of the day…pj’s are acceptable in the classroom, right?! But when you dress up or down, in comparison to the norm, you often receive looks, comments, and, sometimes, even concerns.
Here are some common questions and my non-credited opinion on appropriate responses. Because these outfit criticisms are inevitable, I’ve come up with some witty come backs for all those out there who dare to defy the norms…take them with a grain of salt, and please, use with caution.
When you are dressed up for no specific reason:
“Oh, you’re dressed up today”
You never know when you’re gonna meet the Queen.
“Are you seriously wearing that?”
Well, my birthday suit’s at the dry cleaners.
“Do you have a presentation today?”
Does your mom have a presentation today?
When you are dressed down for no specific reason:
“Are you feeling ok?”
Yeah, actually, I just had a big glass of SCREW YOU for breakfast.
“Did your alarm not go off?”
Did your alarm not go off?
“Did you come straight to class from an all-nighter?”
Do my under-eye smudges give it away?
