Dress Code Differs

Chloe Kinzig ’14, Toni Radcliffe ’14: The Episcopal Academy dress code varies between the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools; however, most students are unaware of the reason behind this. Given Esse Quam Videri’s emphasis on unity this year, one might ask whether the variations in dress code discourage a sense of togetherness.
Having an individual dress code for each unit allows the uniform to be fitted to the needs of its students.
When asked why the Upper School has a unique dress code, Geoffrey Wagg, Head of Upper School, noted, “I think primarily the Upper School has its own specific dress code because the needs of fourteen to eighteen-year-olds are very different than the needs of four-year-olds to eleven or twelve-year-olds. I don’t really see Upper School students wearing skorts, jumpers, and those kinds of things.”
The freedoms of the Upper School dress code, which allow students to express their maturity and independence, do not go unnoticed.
Boys can choose between white, blue, and blue and white collared dress shirts, any style tie or bow tie, and one of four different colored dress pants.
Girls can choose from any colored sweater, a blue or white polo, or one of four kilts. Meghan Manley ’16 is enthusiastic about the dress code, she noted, “I definitely like the uniform! It is really laid back. Also, I like having four different skirts.”
However, the Middle School dress code is much more formal. Girls are only allowed to wear a navy blazer or the Episcopal Stripes sweater and one of two kilts according to the season, but may wear any colored polo shirt. Boys are required to wear the navy blazer, navy Episcopal Striped sweater, or Episcopal sweater vest every day. Carson Fischer ’19 commented, “I’d like it if we just wore our collared shirt.”
Stephen Morris, Head of Middle School, noted, “[The middle school dress code] is a little more adult, mature, and formal than the Lower/Upper School uniform. It reflects EA, either by the blazer you’re wearing or the stripes on your sweater. There is a very visible reflection of some of the very big pieces of our identity. It shows a growing responsibility.”
The dress code of Lower School consists of polo shirts worn with color contrast: navy with khaki or white with navy slacks, vests, jumpers or skorts. Skorts and vests are only allowed in fifth and fourth grade. Fischer noted that he “didn’t like the lower school uniform because of the vests. I thought they were itchy and irritating.”
However, Benjamin Kovacs ’20 said he enjoys the Lower School uniform and believes, “It’s good that the Lower School has its own uniform so that the kids won’t get bullied for what they wear.”
The question is whether separate dress codes prevent Episcopal from being completely unified. Opinions vary. Wagg commented, “There are downsides to not having an Episcopal-wide uniform, but we’re actually more similar than not.”
Morris observed, “There’s a benefit if you just had a straight uniform and the absolute clarity of that.” Thomas Boynton ’13, an Esse Quam Videri member, said, “I understand that the uniform is a sign of unity. But, I don’t think that having an Episcopal-wide uniform would unite us any further. That being said, I don’t think we’re completely unified—we are not even close.”
Despite its questions of unity, students enjoy the varying dress codes. Kovacs is still excited to wear the middle school uniform, and Fischer eager to wear the upper school uniform. Boynton remarked, “I didn’t mind having to change my uniforms between Schools.” Fischer also likes changing the dress code “because you get a feel for everything.”