This morning I received the following email:
I lurk on your site and remember seeing an article with some great photos of young coeds sitting on the grass watching some khaki-clad boys walk by.
I recall how the comments about the young ladies were all filled with longing for the days when females acted like ladies. The girls all looks so fresh-faced and pretty.
I have a couple of teenage girls I would like to influence somehow and this might be it. Can you please remind me what the article name was or shoot the link over to me?
I informed the reader that the post was none other than this one about the University Of The South, otherwise known as Sewanee, located in Tennessee. The post resonated with readers for many reasons: some enjoyed daydreaming about what looked like an ideal college experience, some were alumni honored by the tribute, and others were pleased to learn about it as a place to possibly send their sons and daughters. And when the kids at the school got wind of the post and started sharing it, Ivy Style hit traffic numbers only surpassed by our coverage of the new Brooks oxford back in January.
So here’s another tribute to Sewanee and the admirable sense of community and tradition that shines through in its photos on Instagram and Flickr. Just imagine what it must be like there in real life. — CC
Oh how awesome! In a couple weeks, I’m heading to KY to watch my niece and she is looking at schools now! It seems to fit her criteria perfectly and I will research it with her! Does anyone know of other schools they feel are similar! I graduated from Wake Forest decades ago (ouch) and am somewhat out of touch, but have heard it remains very upstanding.
“the days when females acted like ladies.” what does that mean?
I’m not sure what the reader meant, but given that he’s the father of two teenage daughters I can hazard a guess.
He probably means that acting like a lady includes:
No twerking
No posting nude photos on Instagram
No drunken hookups with strangers
No thinking you’re a feminist badass like Rey in “Star Wars” when in fact you’re a crybully who calls campus police when someone says something you disagree with
Basically acting like your grandmother. Or like women in Doris Day movies and Edith Wharton novels. Or women under Islam.
Just a guess.
Is that a Praise Band?
No Praise Bands!
What would Cranmer say??
Dang, these are awesome photos.
I was never urged to say, “Congrats!” – a genuine one – to any university/college student for whatever reason. Heck, my academic advisor, who was also one of my department professors, came up to me before commencement and said the look on my face signaled that graduation was the last place I wanted to be. She was right. I’m rather phobic to graduations since I find them cringe-worthy, whether it be kindergarten, elementary, high school and baccalaureate. Masters? Meh; it depends on what type of masters it is. Doctorate? Okay, a hardy handshake and hug. Graduating from a vocational program? Sure, a hardy handshake. This society needs competent and intelligent tradesmen.
But these Sewanee photos? They make me jealous, and I rarely felt jealousy. I’m actually genuinely happy for them since, as you say Christian, tradition and community radiates from them, as well as joy.
I am an alumnae. Can I say that Sewanee is all that your photos show….and more. So, so much more. How lucky I was to attend!
I’m not in the photos included here, but one of my friends is shown during homecoming weekend. In opinion, the Order of the Gownsmen is the best Sewanee tradition.
@Joseph Green
It has to do with dignity, propriety, decency, and elegance.
The counterpart of the days when males acted like gentlemen
DCG,
Sewanee’s a mixed bag. Plenty of undergrads who’ve not walked the Canterbury trail. And it’s a safe guess that Low Church types outnumber those among us who embrace “smells and bells.”
Oh for a raised cross, a properly attired verger, and a prelude of Our God, Our Help in Ages Past. And long surplices.
Ohmigosh there’s JF Bryan and Doug Milne, my brother was at Sewanee with those guys and other Jacksonville FL alums during the mid sixties, back when it wasn’t even co-ed! My brother and son were gownsmen, same gown passed from one to the other.
I have close relatives and many close friends who are Sewanee alums. I have attended two graduations within the past ten years and visited the school on several other occasions. The pictures are a fair representation of Sewanee, but it is much deeper than the pictures show. Short of the service academies, I’ve never seen a tighter, more devoted group of alumni than those of Sewanee. I went to W&L and we are a pretty tight-knit group but not like Sewanee. It is a special place.
So I was monitoring Google Analytics and social media today, and Sewanee put up a link to this post on its Facebook page, leading to another giant traffic spike that lasted for several hours.
Initial comments on FB were proud and positive. Then the feminists started complaining. I say feminists because the most vocal used that term in reference to her studies, and said she felt “erased” by the quote from the reader who said the female students in the post from last fall looked “ladylike.”
Several others complained that this post is sexist because of the terms “ladylike” and “fresh-faced and pretty.”
I went out for a couple hours and when I got back the link and discussion thread had been removed from Sewanee’s Facebook page.
Seems that the reach of the PC police knows no limits. It is a shame an otherwise positive piece about the school was taken down because some special snowflakes felt marginalized.
@ Christian: A feminist student feeling like she’s “erased”? How pathetic. I think it says more about her than any gender injustice she perceives. How sad. Her studies aren’t giving her a proper education.
CC writes “I went out for a couple hours and when I got back the link and discussion thread had been removed from Sewanee’s Facebook page.”
Welcome to neo-Stalinist kontemporary kampus kulture.
Yes, CC, when progs say “we need to have a conversation about…” gender, race, you name it what they’re mean is they’re going to keep browbeating and lecturing until everyone gives in an does what they want. And, oh yeh, if YOU say anything THEY don’t like then by one meanS or another they’ll shut you down completely in a nanosecond.
I am a current student and I am in a picture above with the band. I am extremely offended by the tagline “the girls fresh faced and pretty” I find this post to be racist, classist, misogynous and sexist. I love Sewanee but this image of it is extremely shallow and inaccurate. I am ashamed that my face and my band are pictured as if in support of this idea. I am a woman, I am proud, I am neither “fresh faced” nor “pretty” if that is all of what this article thinks of me. I came to Sewanee to expand my mind and my world view not to allow others to put me in a box.
This is totally despicable. Like Isabella, I will not be “fresh faced” or “pretty” to whomever is writing this. I am so much more than just a girl posing for a picture. I am a woman, so however I act is how a lady acts. My identity, as well as the identities of so many students at sewanee (men and women, of different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds) are erased. These photos reveal a sick fantasy of Sewanee: nearly completely white, male, and upperclass. I am not a part of that. I won’t be.
white male privilege campus you can do better undertone shaming offensive racist classism classicism image problem and that’s problematic
I literally not worn khaki here since sophomore year
“PC police” is a term used by those stuck up so far deep into their own privilege bubble they can’t even bother to consider someone else’s POV, much less respect it. The Sewanee I know has its issues for sure, but at least the grads I was around were open minded enough to consider different, even dissenting opinions and reflect on them rather than dismiss them entirely. The article is short-sighted, certainly, and does not do justice to the robust intellectual community Sewannee has to offer–but these disparaging comments are an absolute disgrace. Come up with a better argument before you decide to pick a fight with your better-equipped peers online.
@BrackenJ I’m happy to tell you that Wake Forest is the way you remember it. My husband and I graduated from there in the early 90’s and we have a don that is there now. We remain involved and every time we are on campus we always say that the kids look the same. It is a little eerie. There are new buildings and the student body is a little larger but otherwise it has the same feel.
Oh thank you for the update! I have been meaning to take a road trip to see Wake Forest, but it’s a little bit tricky from the West Coast. Every time I head to the East Coast it’s usually to New York. A good friend of mine has been offered a position as a professor at University of North Carolina so that may finally be my reason to head back! Not to mention my craving for some really good barbecue!
“Welcome to neo-Stalinist kontemporary kampus kulture.” How unbelievably crass and far, far out of touch.
The 1950s is over, boys. It’s been over for a very long time. You seem to wallow in it, which is okay, if that’s what you want to do, but please don’t put your silly projections of “fresh-faced and pretty” on people you nether know nor understand.
The world has moved very far away from what you think is “a tribute.” This is no tribute at all. And the disparaging, reductionist comments simply reflect your very limited and time-warped beliefs, which in today’s world, are no longer valid. Don’t lay them on us. We won’t have them.
Just as the people in these pictures are so much more than the shallow and misogynistic comments made here, Sewannee is so much more than a picture-show of what you think life should be. And when Sewannee’s community responds in a way you don’t like, don’t label it a “neo-Stalinist kontemporary kampus kulture” (another dated, 50’s-style notion). Label it for what it is: a rational and measured response to thoughtless and harmful statements. Own your crap, fellows.
I can see how this website could be viewed as classist (it is), but it’s funny that a student at a $54K per year private school would call photos of her own school classist.
The article was also not intended to be an in depth profile of life at Sewanee and, of course, people are more than just a picture. The comments are neither disparaging nor reductionist and are just one person’s observations based upon some pictures and were intended to be a compliment and not thoughtless or harmful. The fact that you cannot discern the intent is deeply troubling.
I think we owe a vote of thanks to Christian for having provided us with an opportunity to see that rabid feminism is not about gender equality but about blindness to reality.
That April Fool’s post feels one step closer to reality.
Sewanee is a very special place. My daughter is in her first year there and absolutely loves it. She has made some wonderful friends, her classes are challenging, the professors are engaged with the students, and most importantly, she is learning how to think critically and consider all opposing views. Which, sad to say, some of the people who have posted here clearly haven’t learned how to do. Obviously Sewanee isn’t for everyone-no place is- but I am thankful that my daughter found this wonderful school, and I know she will have a lifelong connection to it. As for “class dress”, what some may consider to be sexist or out of touch, others would consider to be good manners and respect. It’s all in the perspective. Thank you for sharing this article!
@ Isabelle: So what do you prefer? May I call you ugly, bitter and nonsensical in place of the supposed “fresh-faced and pretty”? Because, after all, you have demonstrated you may be such things. I’m more than welcome to oblige per your request and save the “fresh-faced and pretty” for women that actually deserve such compliments and don’t react like a brainwashed university student.
@BB: ” And when Sewannee’s community responds in a way you don’t like, don’t label it a “neo-Stalinist kontemporary kampus kulture” (another dated, 50’s-style notion). Label it for what it is: a rational and measured response to thoughtless and harmful statements. Own your crap, fellows.”
There’s so much wrong with this that it’s ironic. Cute usage of “KKK” and constantly referring back to the 1950s (it’s as if your brain has been trained to use the 1950s card in such situations). The negative responses to Christian’s post has nothing to do with rational thought.
Again, like your entire post, you’ve been trained and brainwashed to think a certain way, to react a certain way to perceived sexism – that much is clear.
There should be no apologizing or backtracking from the “fellows” because there is no need.
If you and others haven’t already, seek out some counseling, at least in a place that isn’t deemed a “safe place.”
@Melinda, Hear, hear!!
Wow, someone struck a nerve!!!! Some thoughts…
Be self-sufficient – respect others – don’t feel entitiled to what others have honestly accumulated
Be yourself – associate with those you choose – present your opinions, don’t force them on others
Don’t expect anything from someone else – appreiate it
This school looks like my kind of place and I have mentioned it to my niece for consideration.
On the contrary, the comments are thoughtless and harmful. They depict multidimensional individuals in a singular and sexist way. You fail to see this and wrongly think you are extending a compliment. You then summarily dismiss everyone who rejects your comments. You don’t even attempt to see a different POV. You are like the uninvited dinner guest thrashing about making everyone in the room uncomfortable, and that is putting it mildly and in terms you might understand. Bores never realize they act creepy and tiresome. Stick to men’s clothes. Leave important discussions to others much better equipped to handle them.
@ Paula: You’re making this more than it actually is, projecting your own insecurities onto words to describe the people shown.
If dismissing equates to not apologizing and not agreeing then I cannot imagine how you function in the real world. The negative comments here have been acknowledged. Get over it.
The compliment of being “fresh-faced” should never been taken as an offense. Why? Because it describes something looking young, if not bright-eyed, and indeed the students pictured are young.
(cont.)
The “fellows” have heard the opposing POV. It’s just that the “fellows” disagree. You see, what you and your ilk want is an apology. For what? You want Christian to bend over and take down this page or to issue an apology. I hope he does neither.
The irony is that you are “the uninvited dinner guest thrashing about making everyone in the room uncomfortable, and that is putting it mildly and in terms you might understand.”
“Bores never realize they act creepy and tiresome.”
It’s only creepy to you because you’re a pathetic individual.
And what are these “important discussions” that supposedly the “fellows” aren’t equipped to handle?
There’s little doubt that Linda, Rachel, C’13 and BB shared this post with others. That’s good. We need more evidence of the psychological disorder that is modern day feminism.
*Linda. Ha! I mean Isabella.
Don’t get offended, Isabella! I supposedly failed to see you as a complete person now I got your name wrong! The horror!
Just gonna leave this hear –
https://grrrgraphics.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/crybullies_ben_garrison.jpg
Oh. My. Soul. Is this what the victories of Eleanor Roosevelt, Katherine Hepburn and Susan B. Anthony et.al. availed you? From doyenne to demimonde in three generations I suppose. What misanthropes of the highest order gamboling amongst the cant and dudgeon that oozes from the pores of young adult academia. How you pine for an epicene society. It seems that a simple mention of the word “ladylike” send you all into a histrionic induced apoplectic stupor. Such an invidious word, “lady.” How dare the semaphores of privilege invoke such anathema; prescinding others with such exclusionary and vituperative words. Well. here’s something else you can erase, your rodomontade and pettifogging. It’s full of tumescent hot air. Like a little child puffing his chest and stomping around, you do nothing for your “cause” but annoy those of us who would be otherwise oblivious to “it.” You ebulliently mark your territory in every corner which you’re not invited. Well you’ve made your mark and may you find post micturition relief thus yielding to us some peace and quiet.
Thank you, Christian, for posting such glorious reminders that there are still a few cities set upon a hill in this country, that cannot be hid. May God continue to richly bless Suwannee. Gloria, laus et honor!
As a Sewanee alumnus, I have heard and am hearing many ways which others use to describe us. Generally, I and those around me have never taken these descriptions seriously, and they have rarely been in depth or accurate. Descriptions of us have never changed, diminished, or exalted us. We just went on being Sewanee, whether “classist” or not. I assume that classist is used to mean elitist. We are. We aren’t. All the men wear khaki and kilts. Go figure.
“neo-Stalinist kontemporary kampus kulture” is alive and well in academia where “fresh faced” or “pretty” is somehow an insult.
One has to wonder, does the band in the photo scream at their audiences to STFU when they applaud? I mean does the audience really know them as persons. These kids are snowflakes.
Me thinks the overly sensitive ones are the clowns calling out the “PC Stalinist” crowd. Who is the real snowflakes here?
Err….”who are”
@ Nippy: And how on earth did you come to that conclusion?
If you young ladies-Rachel, Isabel, Rachel, C13 et al – find nice, conservative young men from say, Hampden-Sydney or UVA, you may lose the Birkenstocks, shave your legs and arm pits and possibly find happiness. Bless your hearts!
Will
Thank you all for all of your wisdom and knowledge. It must be great knowing everything.
As it would happen, I shave and I don’t own Birkenstocks. No plans to marry a conservative though! I would rather wear Birkenstocks and be totally covered in hair.
Marry a Conservative, dear Rachel. You’ll never know until you try. Honest, forthright, enamored of God, country, and yes, womenkind – what’s not to like?
@Goldrushapple, I read the posts.
@ Isabella: The more you type the more you embarrass yourself.
@ Rachel: So you admit you’re a bigot? Well that’s grand.
@ Paul Naumann: I take it that you’re the Paul that wrote this article — https://thesewaneepurple.org/2014/09/13/the-myth-of-male-excellence/.
The more I’m exposed to Sewanee’s students the more I’m urged to laugh.
@ Nippy: You sure? If I read your post correctly you’re accusing the “fellows” for being the delicate snowflakes. If so, how absurd.
Let me ask – are you a student at Sewanee?
I don’t recognize any of these posts as being from the regular gang, CC. (save old WFB, of course).
I know how to get rid of them Trump 2016 http://gawker.com/word-trump-written-in-chalk-terrifies-harms-emory-st-1766477207
Isabella Lilly is a lovely, lyrical name in the best preppy/trad…uh…tradition. A khaki pencil skirt, blue OCBD, ribbon belt, weejuns and some pearls would fix you right up. You will find that men of quality will take you seriously if you behave like a lady. Gentlemen of quality appreciate high intelligence and a woman who behaves like a lady.
Rachel has always been one of my favorite girl’s names. Perhaps a pink shirt dress, green hair band and Sperry Topsiders and you could find a gentleman with Roman numerals after his name. My lovely wife has the same ensemble. Add pearls and my tank watch.
Sacksuit III
Incidentally, the cheerleaders in this post look quite wholesome compared to some I have seen on television recently. Dare I say they appear fresh faced and pretty?
So good to see that the site is picking up hot air, er, I mean, steam with the fairer sex. While there’s certainly no sign on the door, our club tends to be “gentleman only” by nature of the content. So, how’s that for inclusion, ladies? Your silence this morning is undoubtedly indicative of you preparing your hearts for worship in your local Protestant assembly. Perhaps your even scheduled to serve in the nursery this AM? No doubt.
How misled we liberals were to support feminist initiatives from the late 60’s onwards.
Look what it produced!
An interesting thought for the elder members here – how many of your friends share your “reactionary” views? I, as a 22 year old, have only three peers in my life who believe as you do, that there is a God, race is irrelevant, and women who wear dresses are always better looking than those who wear pants.
I would assume that such radical beliefs are more commonly held among the 40+ crowd, but what advice have you for the youths who live in a generation obsessed with nihilism, gender, and race?
As a side note – I have 0 peers interested in Ivy-Style – apparently an even more backwards lifestyle.
Isabella Lilly write: “Thank you all for all of your wisdom and knowledge. It must be great knowing everything.”
You’re welcome, sweetie. And since you brought it up, I’ll just say that you can’t even IMAGINE how great it is “knowing everything”. And as you’ve discovered, regulars on this site are very generous in taking time to share our wisdom and knowledge with those in need, so don’t be shy about asking.
But no need to continue expressing gratitude because imparting our wisdom is the LEAST we can do (and it really is) for your generation.
Because whether you identify as left-wing, conservative or libertarian; male, female or something else; any one of an endless range of races or ethnic identities; straight; gay or whatever feels good at the moment (so many choices we never had!); you all have a glorious future picking up the tab for our Social Security and Medicare benefits. So now I’m thanking you!
@ JDD: I’m around your age but I’ll give some balance.
I want to say, “Yikes.” What type of circle do you run in? I suppose I’m lucky that, if I asked my guy friends, they would say that girls look more attractive in (sun) dresses than pants.
Many of my friends were raised in households that, to some degree, had a belief in a divine. A good percent of us attended parochial schools throughout K-12. If you asked them if there’s a God I’d bet some will say, “Yea, sure there is.” Some might admit they’re agnostic and a couple will say they’re atheist.
Given the middle-class, salt-of-the-earth types my friends parents are I doubt that they’d nod their heads towards the chaos found on today’s campuses. If they haven’t carried on their parents’ faith to the same degree, they have adopted their Midwest “niceness.” I can tell a good chunk of my friends are either somewhat conservative or apolitical. If you asked them if race is irrelevant they’d probably say yes in terms of not supporting Jim Crow laws and whatnot; if you asked if race was relevant when it came to culture they’d probably say yes.
(cont.)
They aren’t really interested in fashion as I am. One works as a pharmacist so he has his lab coat; another works in an elementary school as a teacher so he has his shirt and tie, and sometimes he wears the school’s polo; another works at a park district and his job entails him to burn down brush, so he’s wearing a uniform that resembles a firefighter; another works at home doing computer stuff – so no uniform.
I also find it bizarre that most of your friends find women in pants more attractive, but then again given what you’ve written about them it comes to no surprise. A good percent of my social circle does not run on such fuel.
I think the “radical” beliefs by the “fellows” held here, depending on where you travel in the states and the amount of formal education the stranger has received, can be found amongst millennials. It’s just that such beliefs are quieter and they keep to themselves. There’s little doubt that my small group of friends would agree with whatever positives “ladylike” brings, but they would definitely express no interest in the clothing found here.
@IsabellaLilly “I am extremely offended by the tagline ‘the girls fresh faced and pretty’ ”
Faces? Girl, c’mon, serious up. Social’s got you topless and tattooed. Choose your drama.
@RachelHead “I will not be fresh faced and pretty, I am so much more”
http://www.ivy-style.com/campus-capers-the-atlantic-on-coddled-college-students.html
Paula said: “You then summarily dismiss everyone who rejects your comments.”
That’s a two way street, baby doll
I take it from Flo’s post that Isabella Lilly may have “shown her slip” on Facebook. I saw her post but chose not to open the link. If Miss Isabella Lilly is topless and tattooed, I just know her father is brimming with pride.
Sacksuit
Ahhhh this post! I am a 32 year old woman who went to an engineering focused college, and now two masters degrees later, and 8 years teaching with a population of many nearing retirement that are nostalgic for maybe less feminist times, I have learned that only your own opinion of yourself matters. Fresh-faced….pretty…lady-like. I don’t feel like comments based on my appearance/wardrobe put me in a box. That doesn’t make me a traitor to my gender. I know I am more than a pretty face. I don’t need you to know it. I don’t need to wear it on a graphic tee, shout it from a mountain top, or lash out at every man who would rather see me in a skirt than jeans (btw I love both pieces of clothing). That security is what really makes me feel like a strong woman. Call me pretty, I will smile and say thank you, call me intelligent, I will smile and say thank you.
Sack/Will, I wish I had your style. I’m going to try harder. Yes, the lass shows her petticoat; and yes, I was an idiot to link this forum to her topless photo. Fortunately CC slapped my wrists, won’t happen again.
These kids come up with a different standard, it’s almost not their fault. My brain hurts from trying to understand it. I’m ancient, the deal with my [Sewanee] siblings and me was don’t let stuff sideline you. Nowadays there’s a parade in every town and hamlet saluting whatever social grievance currently enjoys national/community/state/county protection.
Not going to give up trying to understand.
“I know I am more than a pretty face. I don’t need you to know it.”
Monica, come sit by meeeeeee!
The guys wearing kilts are bros.
How sad for Sewanee.
@Monica, thank you for your comment. The strength of knowing oneself is so important and the confidence it gives goes miles to defraying anything that others might think or say. I infer that it is OK to be smart, cultured, capable, educated, etc AND be a pretty face…I whole heartedly agree. None of us are one dimensional, except for those that are still searching for an identity and get swept up in ‘radicalism’ of a particular point of view thus creating a self-limiting box.
Brethren (and sisters as the case may be), let’s not be cruel when helping the younger generations mature.
CC, I don’t know if you tweaked anything but it is letting me comment now.
Cheers,
LJW
I have seen some comments on here referring to a female being “lady-like” and “pretty” as being “erased” or as a comment or observation that was made by privileged white people, especially males, and “PC police” being a term used by such people. There is no “white privilege”, there is but a standard of trying to be a better person each and every day of your life, and that includes better morals, ethics, manners, demeanor, and yes dressing to the part. It means having STANDARDS, which is something that these liberal brainwashed college students don’t understand. It is called constant improvement in all of the above. College students have always fed into the all of the things, opinions, and complaints that are a part of campus society that moans about everything that is supposedly wrong” with society and America. The same was true was I was a university student. You guys don’t have a clue, you’re barely out of high school and believe you are the “all seeing eye”, and that you have all of the answers, with no clue as to how the world works. Have you even stopped to think how stupid most of your PC arguments are? Are you OPENING YOUR MIND to views that aren’t liberal? Is there a double standard here?…think about it. Just wait until you graduate, get married, have kids, pay taxes, buy a house etc….you guys are truly in for a wake up call, and at least half of the PC you are spewing and defending won’t mean anything to you when you finally grow up, and there is a reason for that, and that is when you will finally understand.
Very well said sir! I have divided my life into segments – mind, body, heart, and soul and I try to improve all four areas every single day! I pray each day for the success of those making an honest effort to improve!
As a woman in her mid-50’s, I must admit the comments from Rachel and Lilly have literally broken my heart. Is THIS where the feminist movement has taken us? You feel ‘erased’ because you were called ‘pretty’, and ‘however you choose to act is how a lady acts’. I am shaking my head. You couldn’t be more wrong. And sadly, you will learn that.
@ Kathie: “Is THIS where the feminist movement has taken us?”
A very strong maybe. I’ll add in modern day education as well, from high school to college.
The college I currently attend has a bit of a rivalry with sewanee, in rugby. Happy to say we wiped the floor last meeting. If only the students here were as well dressed. I try to be.
As a fresh-faced, (fairly) pretty, and feminist Sewanee alumnus (2011), I would like to defend the title of this article. The title and article are referring solely to looks- of both the men and the women. Granted, it talks about physical appearance, rather than the clothes of the women, as it does about the men, but you try being witty while incorporating “sundress” in an title. It is also referencing an email written to the author. Nowhere does it talk about the academic merits of either gender, so the argument that it is making women “less than” is invalid.
I’d also like to point out that while I was at Sewanee, some of the most badass feminists I knew wore dresses and acted like ladies. Just because one dresses and acts like a lady*, does not mean that they are not strong, and empowered, and ready to fight for what they believe in.
*(Being a lady and being a woman are not synonymous. Just like being a gentleman and being a man are not synonymous. I am always a woman, but I am not always a lady.)
Also, fresh-faced and pretty means not showing up having just rolled out of bed with your hair in a messy bun and a dour expression on your face.
P.S. Yes, this is a rather late response to this article and it’s long string of comments. I was looking for pictures of Sewanee’s students dressed nicely for class to show my coworker (because I am proud of the Sewanee dress code), and came across this site and article.
The dress code is not about looking pretty and feminine (or handsome and masculine). It is about showing respect to your professors and classmates by putting in more of an effort than just wearing grubby jeans or pajamas.
I feel sorry for anyone who thinks that it is sexist to dress nicely and be complimented on it.
Rosemary, having read this entire comment section yours is the best I have read.