Decoding the Dress Code
By Belinda Henson
When Legacy decided on uniforms, there was not a philosophy behind it. In all transparency, the founders just thought, “Private schools wear uniforms, so we will too!” Today, there is a definite philosophy and purpose to uniforms. Here are the four main reasons.
Cost
Though purchasing a few uniform pieces at the beginning of the year can run you around $100, as you build community, many families exchange their used uniforms. I have only purchased new pieces because our shirts have faded or because I wanted a different logo. It hasn’t been because of something not fitting.
Impartiality
Every school has the “haves and have-nots”. Without a uniform, students who “have-not” stand out with clothes that are torn, worn out, or not “name brand”. Romans 2:11 says, “God shows no partiality” and we should try to do the same. This is much easier if we appear to be on a similar playing field.
Professionalism
Very few companies allow their employees to dress like they are going to a nightclub. They expect them to dress in a serious manner and in such a way to provide efficient work-related results. We want the same of our students. We want our students to understand that “there is a time and a place for everything under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 While at school, it is their “job” to work towards better understanding, moral wisdom, and mastery learning.
Community
School pride is paramount to a growing and healthy school culture. Through the use of uniforms and spirit wear, students (and parents) feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
Dress codes are everywhere: weddings, church, proms, and beaches. What one would wear to a beach would not be appropriate for (most) weddings. The same goes for schools and other professional environments. At Legacy, our dress code for students are more conservative and modest than even the “average” private school. What we request of ourselves, we expect of our students and children. And I am thankful to be surrounded by a group of like-minded parents. We are parents who desire a higher standard of morality for our children.
We are in a spiritual battle for the soul’s of our children. As we all know, today’s society is highly sexualized. Not only in commercials and movies, but at Walmart in the kid’s clothing section! It is so pervasive and “normal” feeling that even Christian parents are okay with their young ladies wearing tight fitting short-shorts or leggings as pants. Not just around the neighborhood but to church as well. These parents are neither convicted nor worried for their daughters. And they are even less concerned about how difficult this is for the young men who have to avert their eyes and who already struggle with impure thoughts on a moment-by-moment basis.
Legacy Classical did not choose uniforms in an effort to suppress the trendy, sexualized styles. Nor were uniforms chosen to intentionally battle spiritual forces! However, this haphazard decision ended up as a blessing of the Lord and a testament to his protection and faithfulness to us!