The old college try

Image from Privilege.

I normally try to stay away from controversial topics on The Wide Wale. I don’t overtly discuss politics or religion. But on what is potentially one of the last below-70 days we may see in Virginia for a bit, it seems fitting to wade into far more dangerous waters: specifically, the virtues of the ugly college sweatshirt.

A while back, Lisa at Privilege discussed this subject at some length, describing her son's trusty Princeton sweat as the “closet gremlin” she wears all the time, but still feels guilty about. This was said half in jest, of course, with full knowledge there was no intention of throwing it out. But it set me to thinking: what could be preppier for a walk in the park, a trip to the market, or watching a spectator sport, than the comfy, big-hug fleece of one's alma mater?

Alas, UVA is not my alma mater, but it is the home team. As Muffy Tepperman would say, it behooves us to represent.

Easy for me to say, right? I'm a guy, after all--one of the tribe who would wear a football jersey to a wedding if they could get away with it. Women, on the other hand, have been conditioned to regard the sweatshirt as the shapeless, frumpy uniform of those who have long since retreated to the land of elastic waists and pajamas. But if the preppy ethos dictates that form must always follow function, to be overly concerned about such things in the afore-mentioned environments misses the point. For example, one of the most fetching women I have seen in the last few months was exploring the streets of Charlottesville with her husband before a football game last fall, with a sturdy gray UVA sweatshirt tied around her shoulders. With her tucked-in white oxford and straight-leg, regular-rise jeans, she completely fit in the environment. More importantly, she would need that sweatshirt later as the winds at Scott Stadium started swirling. Many others, having read the signposts screaming "too much bulk," probably froze.

From the Dartmouth College General Bulletin, 1990.

At the risk of revealing myself to be immature, or to have not progressed very far beyond Prep Persona No. 3 in the Handbook, there comes a point where even high achievers have to be practical. The young woman above, for instance, is clearly not thinking about how to flatter her curves; but she nonetheless looks like someone who turned out all the better for it. These considerations don't completely change as we get older. Granted, nobody wants to show up at a business presentation or a legal proceeding looking like this. On the other hand, if you had to pick up groceries, drop off a child at soccer, or trim the rose bushes, what would be wrong with it? Pair it up with khakis or corduroys, or layer it over a turtleneck, oxford, or polo shirt, and nobody in their right mind will think you're a slob.

I say, embrace your inner student. Rah rah!