With many Indian colleges imposing a dress code on its students, teens voice their opinion about educational institutions playing fashion nazi
A few days ago, St. Xavier’s College banned its students from wearing ripped jeans, saying any student who breaks the rule will be fined Rs 200. This sparks so many arguments among teenagers — how could ripped jeans possibly affect the way one studies? School is a very controlled environment but in college, students are supposed to be far more independent — in their thinking and dressing too. They are practically adults. Should they really be stopped from wearing ripped jeans?
I think people should be allowed to dress the way they want, no matter how that is. Honestly, I can’t seem to understand why this college would place such a restriction; it isn’t a school. Such things are quite backward and unnecessary in my opinion.
—Thea Mehta, 20, Kingston College
Since I am of the college-going age, I feel these dress codes definitely shouldn’t be imposed. Authorities seem to feel teenagers are trying to be provocative or trying to grab attention but they need to understand that we do it because we want to, and there’s no other reason. Curbing someone’s will to chose what one wants to wear is kind of like curbing one’s right to self-expression.
— Anusha Subramanian, 17, Dhirubhai Ambani International School
I think the dress code is bad for girls, because they shouldn’t be restricted from wearing whatever they’d like, and they should be able to do what they want after high school. I don’t think there are dress codes for boys. On another note, as a guy, I can say that some clothes are likely to ‘distract’ more than others, but I think ripped jeans in particular shouldn’t be banned.
—Mikael Moraes, 16, Kodaikanal International School
I think having a dress code is completely fine. When we were in school, we all had a specific uniform to follow, but the nature of college is casual. I think there should still be some discipline. I don’t consider ripped jeans particularly provocative, but ripped jeans would then progress to shorts which would then progress to a mini skirt, which is just not okay. I see girls come to my school with open hair, red lipstick, winged eyeliner, and that’s not the way you come to an institution to study.
—Shriya Popat, 18, Mithibai College
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