It’s uncommon to see students eating dinner in jackets and ties at Creelman Hall these days, but back in 1959, it was frowned upon if you didn’t. This article from our archives looks at the dress code drama from 61 years ago.
DRESS REGULATIONS
From March 25, 1959. Volume 11, No. 10.
Last fall Union Council tried an experiment concerning dress regulations in Creelman. The experiment has proven a decisive failure. The students were put on the honour system with regards to their dress at meals and since then it has become quite obvious that honour is lacking on this campus. At first many still dressed neatly and properly for supper, but slowly and surely the tide turned until leather jackets and sport shirts were the rule, and ties and suits the exception. This experiment in relaxed regulations has at least proven that some of the students do not lack originality, for some very colorful ensembles have been observed. The dress of some students ‘has the originality of Dior and the appeal of the “sack”. As the situation now stands girls are going to dinner in slacks and men go to slipper in blue jeans. Some of the Frosh and Sophomores are so passionately in love with their new jackets that they seemingly must wear them to all meals, seven days a week.
All are to blame to some extent. Granted, a few still dress properly, but every one has been observed to break the “honourable rules” at some time.
This preposterous situation must stop. Surely by now even the dullest, sloppiest member of Union Council must be convinced that the experiment has been a failure. It would appear that the students on this campus are not mature enough to accept the responsibility of properly dressing themselves. If this is the case then the dress regulations will have to be enforced. Union Council should reinstate dining hall regulations next fall.
J.W.
Please visit www.theontarion.com/submit to find out how you can share your work with The Ontarion.