Fashion Archives - the bird on fire

PVS’s Favorite Fridays

November 20, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

Part of our What’s New in the PVS Neighborhood series

By Sami Alnabelsi

In today’s PSA post, we talk about our once-in-a-month special event, which is Free Dress Friday. Instead of wearing our school uniform, we get to wear pretty much whatever we desire. I asked people what they thought about Free Dress Friday and if they had any suggestions. Most of the people believed that it allowed them to express themselves in a unique way. Eighth-Grader Millie Flemings said the Free Dress Fridays allow her to dress “How she pleases,” and she enjoys having “freedom.” Seventh-Grade Olivia Sullivan says she liked it because it was something that happened on occasion, so it was like a surprise when the day came. And, Eighth-Grader Sarah Alnabelsi suggested that there should be more Free Dress Fridays. She explained that most schools already have free dress every day of the week, and if we have it as well, students will be able to finally express their true selves on a day-to-day basis.

Eighth-Grader Julian Berumen loves to wear hats. And, on Free Dress Fridays, he can!

Sophomore John Webster’s an animal lover, so he’s at home sporting a frog upon his chest. Catch the “Hey Dudes” on his feet.

What is Y2K Fashion, and Why Has It Come Back?

March 25, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Sophia Bottine

What is Y2K Fashion?

Y2K fashion started in the late 90s and ran to the early 2000s. It was made most famous by the movie The Matrix Reloaded (2003), starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Gloria Foster. In the movie, Carrie-Anne Moss wore a white shirt and dark pants topped with a black metallic leather trench coat (http://lovehappensmag.com). Other movies like Mean Girls and The Simple Life also promoted Y2K fashion, sparking this new style and marking a new fashion trend in history. An example of a Y2K outfit from Mean Girls is when Amanda Seyfried, who plays Karen Smith in the movie, wears a black “Bling Bling” shirt, white with red hearts skirt, with black, open heels.

*The cast of Mean Girls sport iconic Y2K outfits (Alamy Stock).*

Celebrities like Rihanna, who in 2018 wore a The Matrix Reloaded-inspired outfit to an event in London and Missy Elliot in her “Supa Dupa Fly” music video where she wore a black blow-up jumpsuit with matching shoes, gloves, a glitter helmet, and sunglasses influenced Y2K fashion even more.

*Rihanna wears a “Matrix” style all black, leather outfit (W Magazine).*

Other famous artists like Jay Z, Nelly, Snoop Dog, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Paris Hilton quickly caught up on this new trend wearing low-slung denim jeans with velour tracksuits, flip-flops (for a little bold touch) and Von Dutch trucker hats, jackets or tracksuits, baggy jeans, and bandanas (http://lovehappensmag.com).

*Destiny’s Child made famous the 2000s Y2K Fit (Fashion Gone Rogue).*

Y2K Fashion Comes Back!

Y2K fashion started to resurface in 2020 thanks to social media trends, music videos, and movies. Celebrities like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton, and Bella Hadid also greatly influenced the restart of this trend. But, you might be thinking, “I’ve never seen Bella Hadid wear this fashion trend before?” Well, you’re right, Bella Hadid did not wear Y2K in the 2000s as she was still a child. And, while Bella Hadid wasn’t one of the original icons of early Y2K fashion, she now is, wearing low-rise jeans to tiny sunglasses and chunky sneakers.

You know what else helped bring back Y2K fashion? A little sense of nostalgia. Many people, like Bella Hadid, were still children when Y2K first started up. But now that they have grown up, they want to wear Y2K. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s a bright, fun, and edgy fashion trend.

*Storm Reid wears a modern Y2K look (Fashion Gone Rogue).*

Sources:

School Uniform Debate: Necessary or Restrictive?

March 20, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Middle-School Bloggers Mason Conway, Calum Webster, and Elizabeth Greenwood

Should we wear uniforms? Many schools, such as PVS, require strict attire. Most are private schools, but some public school students wear uniforms. It seems everybody’s got an opinion on whether we should switch back to no uniforms or keep them. Mason, Calum, and Elizabeth have something to say on that:

Mason says . . .

It can be a good idea to reinforce wearing uniforms as it could limit bullying and reduce distractions, but other people argue that it could limit creativity and make families struggle to buy more expensive uniform clothing. I personally believe that we should have no uniforms as in the morning I waste time trying to find my khaki shorts and my polo, which sometimes makes me late for school.

Calum says . . .

One point that Mason said is requiring uniforms can reduce bullying. I believe this is a fair point; everybody is wearing the same thing, so you can’t bully people on what they are wearing. On the other hand, you have to spend more money on uniforms, and most people are not going to wear them outside of school. In my opinion, I don’t think there should be uniforms, but there should be a dress code. First, a dress code lets people wear what they want. Choosing their own clothes will make kids feel more comfortable and relaxed during the day. They will also not have to go through the struggle of getting ready in the morning–looking for those lost khaki shorts and polos. I believe that it is easier to find my casual clothing in the morning than it is to find my uniform.

Elizabeth says . . .

Personally, I believe that uniforms should be mandatory because they create a sense of uniformity among students. One reason uniforms should be mandatory is that they help students focus on their work rather than on their appearance. And, while I slightly agree with Mason and Calum that uniforms might reduce bullying, without uniforms, students may be pressured into wearing certain clothes–which can have a negative effect on younger students because they are pressured into wearing expensive clothing. Another reason why uniforms should be mandatory is that uniforms are easier to find (way easier to find a pair shorts and a polo than putting a whole outfit together), and by wearing them it takes less time to get ready in the morning.

And, finally, Mr. Koehler says . . .

“The main reason for school uniforms is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students to thrive in.”

It seems school uniforms have some value. They create a sense of uniformity, reduce stress, and can make mornings easier (except for Mason). By wearing uniforms, students have more freedom to focus on their work and less on external distractions. Uniforms are not just for looks but are about inclusiveness.

Mason, showcasing the Palm Valley School uniform, tells us he’s doing his “model walk.”

Timmy Wears a Beanie

February 27, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

At thebirdonfire.org, we’ve been thinking about the clothes we wear and what they say about us. If you were a pig named Timmy, and you wanted to dress it up a bit for Valentine’s Day, what would you wear atop your head?

A Google Drawing by Mark Huber

In the parallel universe of pigs, there is a red pig named Timmy who lives in Rancho Mirage, California. On Valentine’s Day, Timmy decides to wear a beanie. The Google Drawing below is a picture of him wearing the beanie. The picture was copied three times, and each copy was edited to have differing colors:

The beanie in this picture was modeled on a beanie that Mark Huber bought in Las Vegas and actually owns. Timmy the pig comes from a Creative Writing class prompt to which Mark Huber responded. Timmy the pig will appear in one of the *Diary of a Green Piggy* novels, also written by Mark Huber.

Fashion Trends Louisa Says We Should Bring Back

April 17, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Louisa Richardson, Freshman

I have always loved fashion. It might not show in the way that I dress, but I have always been fascinated by the clothing of others–especially women’s clothing of nearly a century ago.

These are some fashion trends that I think we need to bring back.

Bias-Cut Gowns

The bias-cut gowns were sort of an old Hollywood trend throughout the 1900s. A bias cut often drapes in the front and sometimes in the back. These gowns must include a neckline cut at a 45-degree angle. These have always been the most beautiful gowns–effortless, timeless, possibly formal, possibly not. Bias-cut gowns give that old Hollywood look that I love so much. They seem to be the one thing I simply need in life–other than corsets that is. Everytime I see these dresses, I always think about how good a wedding dress they would make.

The draped bias cut dress features an angled neckline. Photo Credit: Alumni

1940s Swimwear

Swimwear pre-WWII was cute, colorful, and modest (for those of you who like that). It also wasn’t too restricting, but rather comfortable. I personally prefer those little swim shorts to our current stringy bottoms that we have in 2024. Not only that, but the ruffles, polkadots, and buttons are so much cuter than the all-exciting color BEIGE that everything seems to be right now. Though beige may be timeless, it is also colorless and boring. I would rather have some incredibly gaudy fashion trend be in style than have this gross beige color.

The V neck makes these swimsuits wildly flattering on multiple body types!
Photo Credit: Rare Vintage

Long Dresses from the 70s

I love specifically the single-colored ball gowns. This bit is more of a rant, but I have literally searched the entire internet for a single-colored long dress, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find any that are flowy, long, and somewhat cheap (by that I mean less than a typical prom dress).

We should also bring back disco dancing dresses.

The Button Up makes these dresses flowy yet sculpting, a balance that I find wildly difficult to achieve using modern fashion. Photo Credit: fashion image

Corsets

One of the many reasons why I hate Bridgerton is that it is the furthest thing from historically accurate. When watching the opening scene alone, there is already a huge misconception of a popular item from the turn of the century (and centuries before): corsets. We see a young woman being squeezed into a corset with a matron saying, “We need to get you down to the width of an orange and a half.” Corsets are often thought of as being restricting, unbreathable, and organ crushing. Back then, the hourglass figure may have been in, but you can CHOOSE how tight your corset goes. If it is really that tight and unbreathable you can JUST LOOSEN IT! Second, the corsets you see in movies and TV shows are on very rich, wealthy people who wore those whalebone corsets. They were pretty expensive, and, because of that, the more middle class or working-class people wore quilted corsets. Essentially, it was just a stiff undergarment, which (although sewn to be tight) was breathable and stretchy (according to The history of corsets). If you ask anyone in the theater or drag biz, they will tell you that wearing a corset is only as miserable as you make it. So, I really think that we should bring corsets back, as they are merely wired bras that enhance that hourglass figure that most people get plastic surgery to achieve. Even our own local actor Jackie Padgett states, “They are pretty comfortable, but I don’t tie it to the tightest capacity. . . . I always look forward to doing old plays because I get to wear a corset for free!”

Braided Hairstyles & Hats

Another thing we should bring back are braided hairstyles paired with floral, colorful, comically large hats. These hairstyles were worn throughout history (and even now) though I am specifically talking about the Gilded Age hairstyles (late 1800s). The way that people braided hair back then was very elaborate but also didn’t take up all of the head. Usually, it was worn up in a braided high bun (100 years of women’s hairstyles). This was often accompanied by a very colorful hat, predominantly a pastel color with a big flower (or assortment of flowers) (Hat exhibit). Color has faded quite a bit in both fashion, cars, and hats (according to trailblazer); it is just a trend of course, but with all this beige madness and brown color craziness, the world is far more bland. Hats will make the world a more colorful place! For men, we should bring back tall Frosty-the-Snowman hats!

Though they may seem intricate, these hairstyles always add the extra flair and class you SHOULD look for in an outfit. Photo Credit The Frick Pittsburg

1930s Nightgowns

We should also bring back nightgowns–I mean those gorgeous silky nightgowns for ladies that are sort of bowed and long. According to 100 years of nightgowns, nightgowns were originally considered useless and not necessary; then they became a sense of social class (only being for the rich). The nightgowns in the 30s abandoned the hideous style of no figure and boxiness and went for a little bit of a prettier option with some ruffles and decor. From the 30s to the 60s, the nightgowns always opted for the more elegant option but were still silky, soft, and comfortable. This is a trend I can get with.

Light, airy, perfect for sneaking out of your castle in the middle of the night!
Photo Credit: Ladies Home Journal

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

The final fashion trend I think we should bring back are those nice little decorations all over a dress. Whether it’s buttons, the big bows on the back, or random bits of tulle, these small knick knacks made those dresses; they brought the multiple layers together, and they added color and pizzazz (two things we are seriously lacking). Though these gizmos may seem simple, they can put your outfit over the top in a classy-chic way.

Once again adding the customizable flair to your Victorian dresses!
Photo Credit: www.alamy.com

I highly recommend anyone with a lot of guts (and some extra cash) try and make these fashion moves come back–not just come back, but historically accurately come back. This is one of the best ways of honoring our ancestors.

Pros and Cons of Uniforms: Are they really benefiting us?

May 4, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Penny Andreas

Here at Palm Valley School, we are required to wear uniforms: specifically (quoting from Mr. Winter in an email home to students) “white, grey, red, or black polo with the PVS logo on it, and khaki or black shorts or khaki or black pants; khaki or black skirts may also be worn, as well as the PVS plaid skirt or jumper.” There are numerous ways that these uniforms benefit us, but there are quite a few things that make these uniforms not likable, or material to protest against. I personally do not like these uniforms, but that’s my opinion on it. Here are some pros and cons of school uniforms.

First, we have pros. The first thing that comes to mind is probably the idea that students will not be worried about their clothes and more about education. There is a con to this but that’s later. Another pro is listed in Pro and Con: School Uniforms | Britannica: kids are more likely not to get peer pressured or bullied. I’m not completely sure why that would be related to uniforms, but, according to Greatschools.org, it does lower the percentage to 30-50% (School Uniforms And Bullying Statistics ). One more pro for uniforms is that school uniforms do prevent gang colors or insignia, which could be a way to “protect” students.

Now, we have cons. Circling back to worrying about education and not their clothes, students will be most probably thinking about their clothing. In fact, I can tell you that many students will be frustrated about not being able to express individuality. The National Youth Rights Association says that “Uniforms restrict students’ individuality, expression, and creativity” (youthrights.org). Lots of students believe that uniforms restrict self-expression. So, overall, yes, students WILL think about their clothing. Our second con is uniforms may cause a bad effect on students’ self image, thinking that they’re not different, or everybody’s the same, or that they look like everybody else, which, yes, very much affects their self image. An article on school uniforms in Britannica agrees: “Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image” (britannica.com). Another con is that most schools with uniforms are private, but some are public. In private schools, most of them require tuition, and uniforms also cost money. For example, one Palm Valley shirt that is required costs $24.99. Multiply that by four or five. Depending on the school, the uniform prices will vary. Some parents or guardians might not be able to afford these clothing items. This can be a definite con, possibly resulting in the student not being able to attend the school, or being limited to a few outfits for everyday wearing.

So, with some pros and many cons, do you think uniforms are a good thing, or a bad thing?

Is Our Uniform Dress Code Only Making Things Harder?

April 25, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Sophomores Zachary Kazmouz and Enzo Lomsky demonstrate PVS dress code.

By Middle-School Blogger Louisa Richardson

Our school’s current student dress code is something that many students have been debating about. People had such strong opinions about it that a few kids even made slideshows that included additional suggested clothing–with images–and evidence of over-the-top current pricing of our uniforms. They did a lot of research. I tried my best to help with that slideshow. I think that the uniform is ridiculous. It is great to try and make our school more professional. Professional-looking students make a great impression, but the teachers don’t enforce the dress code consistently. Kids are walking around wearing open-toed shoes, inappropriate jewelry, and shirts that are two sizes too big. That is not professional; it is messy. I think that if we want to change the dress code, then let’s really commit to it. Not only that, but only reprimanding a few kids out of dozens who aren’t wearing school uniforms is going to get more and more pushback! I figured it may be a good idea to go around and ask a few kids what they think, and the results were actually quite surprising.

Junior Indiana Behr stated:

“I love the dress code. It is perfect as is. I do not think there are any issues with it.”

So that would be the first vote that is for the school dress code as it is.

Junior Jess Billimore said:

“I personally don’t mind the dress code/uniform here at Palm Valley. Compared to uniforms I’ve had in the past, it isn’t bad at all. Plus, it saves me from choosing an outfit everyday. The only thing that does bug me is that we should be allowed to wear a plain crew neck or hoodie of school color! Teachers pick and choose when they care and want to enforce it.”

Jess, I couldn’t agree more; I am going to put this opinion as mixed.

Junior Levi Kassinove has a fun story:

“Last year, every free dress day, I would come to school in my pajamas. They banned that. So much for ‘free’ dress day.”

I am going to count this as having a problem with the dress code.

Fellow Eighth Grader Pip Watson responded with:

“With the current level of enforcement, I don’t see an issue. More flexibility towards outerwear during extreme weather conditions would be helpful. The dress code as a whole is a lot more flexible than when I was in sixth grade and especially more flexible than it was when I was in elementary school. I know others have had worse experiences than I have with the current dress code, but I haven’t had any issues.”

Thank you, Pip! I am counting you as “for” the dress code.

Junior Christina Lam states that:

“I think wearing a plain black jacket that’s not a school jacket should be ok because when it’s really cold the school jacket does not suffice.”

I enjoy the fact that you were specific. I am counting your vote as against the dress code.

A classmate shared their opinion about the dress code with us; they prefer to remain anonymous.

“Honestly I kinda do think it’s stupid; frankly I understand most of it, but I only have an issue with the pants. The school pants for girls that are provided are the worst; they never live up to their named size and are frankly very uncomfortable. It’s always too tight or too big in the wrong places; it’s never just right. As soon as the new dress code came out I tried on dozens of the school pants, but they never worked. It honestly looks like they took the boy’s pants and tightened it at the hips and just shrugged.”

I know quite a few other students that had the same problem. I’m counting this vote as against the dress code.

If we count up all the votes it is a narrower margin than I estimated. I was surprised by this because the people who were against the dress code were a pretty wide variety of ages, the same goes for the people who were against it. A lot of folks who were against the dress code have the same issues with it. That makes me think it’s a pretty simple issue to fix. All we need to do is supply warmer jackets and clothes that actually fit the girls as well as the boys. Alas, I don’t think we have a fix for Levi Kassinove’s pajama issue, but maybe he can find a loophole. Once these changes are made, I don’t think that it will be that difficult to enforce the dress code, as not so many kids will have issues with it.

“What To Wear?”

April 4, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Upper-School Blogger Alyna Rei

Fashion has had many trends through the years. Some people prefer accessories. Some care about shoes. And some just don’t care what they put on their body. Many in school have different viewpoints about the apparel they wear. You can see through this survey that people have different ideas of style. I reached out to people who I felt cared about fashion and some who did not care as much. This way we can see people’s opinions.

I asked members of our Palm Valley community:

“What piece of apparel do you prefer to wear and why?

Is there a least favorite thing to wear?”

Personally, I like to put more effort in my shoes than regular clothing. The same goes for my family. I prefer to wear cool shoes (in my opinion) more than a cool outfit. I can wear a simple outfit and have nice shoes. My favorite shoes would be the brand “Converse”–which to many people is basic. The reason why I love “Converse” is because the shoes fit my feet and they go with every outfit I wear. My go-to outfit would be a pair of black flare leggings with a comfy sweater on top. On my feet, I wear “Converse” (obviously). I am aware that this outfit is for colder days, but this one is a favorite of mine.

The flare leggings aren’t obvious but I swear I am wearing them.

Ms. Maguire (teacher): “ Favorite apparel: I have many favorites! My favorite shoes are a pair of super-high platform clogs with a wood wedge (not clunky! It’s kind of narrow) that’s stained black. The tops are black, fur-lined suede. The fur shows along the edge, and it’s nice and soft. The suede is attached to the wood platform with brass tacks. They are snazzy and casual at the same time. These shoes elevate me quite a bit, and since I am height-challenged, I enjoy that. They are also surprisingly comfortable. The drawback is that I could possibly break my neck if I fall off them, so you will never see me wear them at school.

“I have a white hoodie that I really like even though it is not actually that white anymore. It’s very soft and warm, so I feel cozy in it. In the cold weather I change into it when I get home from school. The ends of the sleeves are not so tight that I cannot push them up my arm to wash my hands, and they are not so loose that wind blows up them when I walk the dog. The sweatshirt is big enough that it can accommodate layers underneath, but not so big that I’m swimming in it. It’s a Goldilocks sweatshirt.

“My least favorite apparel is this blouse that is attractive (to me), but soooo annoying. It’s dark gray with taupe polka dots on it. The problem is that the sleeves are bell sleeves. This means that I cannot push up the sleeves when I want to wash my hands, so the sleeves always end up getting wet. It drives me nuts because I wash my hands frequently. I go for months without wearing this blouse, and then I forget how much it bothers me. I see it and think, ‘That’s a cute blouse. I’ll wear it today.’ And then the annoyance begins and I remember why it was sitting in my closet unworn for so long. But it is attractive, so I can’t bring myself to donate it.

“Under no circumstances will I buy apparel that must be ironed. I have no time for that ridiculousness.”

Mr. Griffin (teacher): “My favorite piece of apparel are my t-shirts. I buy them specifically from one company – because they fit me well and the material is soft, feels especially good and cool and loose against my skin.”

Ms. Castellano (teacher):

Like to wear “Dresses.”

Doesn’t much like “Shorts.”

And, “Earrings should always be worn (:”

Ms. Zachik (teacher): “Favorite? Shoes, shirts, pants–all of them WHEN they are good fitting, comfortable, when they make me look good and feel good.

“Least Favorite? I don’t love glasses (sunglasses, reading, corrective). I don’t love nose slippage, headache-inducing pinches behind the ears, the reflective glare. I also dislike dressing alike. As one of three sisters, I’m still getting over all the times my mother dressed us as a matching trio.”

Jocelynn Montoya (12th grade): “My favorite piece of apparel is probably shoes or shirts because there are so many types of designs and colors to choose from. I wouldn’t say I have a least favorite apparel but something I would never wear are crocs. I hate them. I think they are really ugly, gross, stinky, etc. Especially if you don’t wear them with socks.”

Cole Robinson (11th grade): “I love a good amount of layers, usually a good sweater with something underneath. I really hate weird sunglasses (yk what im talking about) some are cool but a lot are ick. I don’t like wearing anything too revealing because it makes me uncomfortable :(“

Christina Lam (11th grade): “My favorite piece of apparel is a hoodie because they are very comfortable. My least favorite is shorts because I usually am cold so it’s not a good thing to wear.”

Indy Behr (11th grade): Says he likes his “glasses.”

You can see how some bring effort into dressing and some don’t. I personally don’t care what I wear on top, but I do put a little effort into what’s on my feet.

Feel free, in the comments, to share your go-to outfits along with those you wouldn’t be caught dead in.

Dress Code: Sound Educational Practice or Suppression of Self Expression?

March 23, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Luke Sonderman and Lilah Nick take on the age-old argument over dress codes. Ripped jeans, crop tops, and short shorts all get called into question. Dr. Sherman even contributed to the matter. Read on to find out the fashion fate of Palm Valley. – Editor-in-Chief, Jesse Denyer

By Lilah Nick and Luke Sonderman

Dress Codes:

Dress codes are a common rule set at schools, workplaces, and special events. Most dress codes create a uniform and appropriate look for a body of people, but some dress codes can be unfair and suppressive of self-expression.

There is no doubt that dress codes do serve important purposes in a professional and educational setting–such as to prevent offensive symbols and wording on clothing and accessories, but do dress codes go too far? Laura Bates, a founder of The Everyday Sexism Project, says, “There’s a real culture being built up through some of these dress codes where girls are receiving very clear messages that male behavior, male entitlement to your body in public space is socially acceptable, but you will be punished [for your clothing choices]” (theatlantic.com). At many high schools in the United States, dress codes restrict clothing that women wear: such as not allowing shoulders or collarbones to be visible or not allowing short skirts, bare midriffs, or leggings. When dress-coded at most schools, students are usually forced to change into other clothing provided by the school which may cause embarrassment and distraction. Sometimes, a student will even get sent home. “That’s crazy that they’re caring more about two more inches of a girl’s thigh being shown than them being in class,” says Anna Huffman who recently graduated from Western Alamance High School in Elon, North Carolina, and helped organize a dress-code protest involving hundreds of participants (theatlantic.com).

Many schools around the country, and specifically in California, have reformed their restrictions to be more accepting of women’s fashion. Alameda Unified School District in the Bay Area is a new leading example of a no-shame, accepting dress code. This dress code allows tube tops, tight pants, ripped jeans, short skirts, and pajamas as long as they don’t show underwear (USAtoday.com). According to Dani R., Staff Writer of the Grizzly Growler, a young person’s social-justice news source, “Women’s shoulders, knees, or stomach, should not have to be covered up on a hot summer day due to men being ‘distracted’” (grizzly growler.org).

Uniforms:

Having uniforms in private schools is very common, but do uniforms oppress student expression? According to the National Youth Rights Association, “Uniforms restrict students’ individuality, expression, and creativity” (youthrights.org). Although dress codes and uniform systems are being reformed all over the United States, “[T]he percentage of public schools requiring uniforms increased from 12 to 20 percent” (youthrights.org). The NYRA website adds, “The increase in the use of uniforms may be due to a mistaken belief that uniforms prepare students for the workplace and reduce bullying in schools” (youthrights.org). But, there is controversy even amongst the experts on the effect of uniforms on bullying in schools. Tony Volk, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Brock University, stated, “Overall, there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms” (Britannica).

David L. Brunsma, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), analyzed a group of 10th graders and discovered “no effects of uniforms on absenteeism, behavioral problems (fights, suspensions, etc.), or substance use on campus” and “no effects” on “pro-school attitudes, academic preparedness, and peer attitudes toward school” (Britannica). In addition, Brunsma found a “negative effect of uniforms on academic achievement” (Britannica). Some ways that uniforms have a negative effect is they take away individuality; they can be an additional school expense; and they can be pretty uncomfortable and stressful. Brunsma’s research found that uniforms did not improve academics or reduce bullying with even elementary students and 8th graders (Britannica). “A peer-reviewed study found no significant effects of school uniforms on performance on second-grade reading and mathematics examinations, as well as on 10th-grade reading, mathematics, science, and history examinations.… [In] many of the specifications, the results are actually negative” (Britannica). Studies suggest the common argument schools make–that uniforms take away distractions from the learning environment–has little scientific basis and may actually have a negative effect on a student’s performance.

Relevance to Palm Valley School:

At Palm Valley, there is only one day a month where students wear their own clothes to school, and many students have to purchase separate clothes to wear on these free-dress days. In the past few years, the uniform dress code has become more relaxed as to what types of pants and shorts are allowed, but the free-dress code has stayed the same. By our interpretation, all preschool, lower school, middle school, and high school students follow the same clothing dress code found in the Students and Families Handbook 2021-2022. When asked to comment, Dr. Sherman, Palm Valley Head of School, countered, “It actually is not the same for Preschool through Upper School.” Dr. Sherman adds, “[I]f you are referring to certain freedoms that you would like to see given to Upper School students, I would encourage you to involve Mr. Coffey in a conversation that you might foster towards that end.”

Palm Valley School is a preschool, lower school, middle school, and college-preparatory upper school. Although it is common for college preparatory schools to have uniform policies, colleges do not implement uniforms unless they are a special academy or military school. It is important for high-school students to be able to express themselves socially before going to college and through allowing students to wear their everyday clothes, students begin to embrace freedom of expression.

In an email interview, Dr. Sherman explains the school’s position: “[T]he objective in having uniforms as part of the PV dress code is to eliminate clothing issues from the social, disciplinary, and academic agenda of our school. Sometimes, clothing can be polarizing and controversial – leading to a distraction from our sole purpose as a school. As students mature, they often choose to express their individuality in overt ways by their choice of clothing and outward dress.” Dr. Sherman went on to say, “[Free dress days are] an attempt to allow students some freedom of expression as it relates to their dress.”

Palm Valley Student Survey:

In a survey, we asked Middle and Upper School students if they had ever been “dress-coded” (approached about violating the dress code or ever asked to change because of violating the dress code), and, out of 66 responses, 32 had been “dress-coded.” 70% of these “dress-coded” students were female.

We also collected quotes from students about the dress code. Indiana Behr of the 10th grade said,

“Clothes are a way for people to express themselves, so when we have a day once a month to wear clothes that we are comfortable in, telling girls all of these excessive rules is completely unnecessary.”
Indiana Behr, Sophomore

Ciera Carr from the 8th grade responded to the Handbook guidelines prohibiting cleavage:

“This society really needs to desexualize breasts…. I don’t understand why girls are being taught to be ashamed of their bodies.”
Ciera Carr, 8th Grade

Other students who responded under anonymity said, “We should be comfortable while learning”; “[The dress code] makes [students] feel shameful about their own body”; “Boys have almost no dress-code, on the other hand, girls struggle to find things to wear”; “School should be a place where you can explore yourself freely and respectfully and not be shamed for it.”

As a small preparatory school, it is important to improve the social aspect of the school environment in all ways that we possibly can. In the past five years, too many studies have shown that uniforms have no positive impact on academic performance, and the lack of social expression actually has a negative impact on academic performance and mental health. The Palm Valley School dress code and uniform policy is something that needs to be continually discussed and possibly reformed. As social change progresses, the policies and code on student expression need to change with it.

Converse vs. Vans

February 8, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Do you judge people by what they’re wearing on their feet? Most of us do. Do Converse All Stars give you a little edge over those who wear Vans Old Skool? Lilah Nick breaks down the pros and cons of each brand. — Editor Alyna Rei

By Lilah Nick, Shoe Expert

There has always been a lingering debate between my friends and people on the internet about which shoe brand is better. I always hear people say Vans when they have never owned a pair of Converse and vice versa. Personally, I was a Vans person for a long time, but then I finally bought a pair of Converse–and they changed my mind. So, which shoe is better, Vans or Converse?

Converse

The Converse brand was created in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. It was originally called Converse Rubber Shoe Company. The first Chuck Taylor All Star shoe was created in 1922 after Charles “Chuck” Taylor, a semi-pro basketball player, joined Converse as a salesman. The company quickly started to adopt his ideas like making the shoe more flexible and adding ankle support. Converse exploded in popularity in the 70s. My dad told me he rode his bike with his friends from South Miami to North Miami to wait in line for hours just to buy a pair of Converse. Over the years, Converse shoes have changed into what we see today. They’ve added shoe types like Chuck 70s, One Stars, and different styles of skateboarding shoes.

Pros

Converse have always stayed at a pretty affordable price compared to other sneaker brands. Nike, for example, retails its shoes for an average of $100+, and other brands like Yeezys and Golden Goose shoes can cost anywhere from $450 (i.e. Golden Goose SuperStars) to $3,000 (i.e. Yeezy Boost Sneakers). Converse shoes range from only $30-$150. Their more expensive shoes are always collaborations and are never extremely expensive. For example, the Converse x Rick Owens are around $200, but they have been sold out for awhile. You can really only find them on resale websites for $300+. Overall, Converse is an affordable and fashionable sneaker brand.

Converse All Stars featured pretty much the same style since they were made, but after Nike bought Converse in 2003, the shoes became more comfortable, flexible, and still offered more arch support than Vans. Most people might say that Converse shoes are made for people with narrow feet, and Vans are for people with wide feet, making Converse not as size inclusive. But, when you are on the website trying to buy a pair of shoes, almost every pair offers a wide width option.

Converse are the perfect pair of casual shoes that you can wear everyday, and they still make every outfit look good. It’s a great, stylish, everyday shoe to elevate your style to something cooler. Whether the shoes are brand new or you’ve had them for three years, they still look good. These shoes come in many different colors and prints, and the brand is coming out with new designs all the time. For example, they just launched a limited edition line for Valentine’s Day. You can also customize almost every style of shoes from the color of the canvas all the way down to the color of the metal eyelets.

Cons

Chuck Taylors are made of canvas and a rubber sole, allowing them to be very lightweight but lacking the support. Without the build of typical footwear, wearing these for long distances or hikes would cause you to end up with some tired arches. The All Stars were originally made for playing basketball and were used for sports for a long time. Today, playing a game of basketball with these shoes might not be a good idea. The Chuck Taylor IIs were made to fix these problems and give the shoe more support and durability. These shoes ended up flopping and got discontinued two years later.

With the shoes being made out of canvas, they aren’t good at protecting you from the elements. Walking with these in the snow or on a rainy day can lead to one of the worst things in the world, wet socks. With the two eyelets on the side of the shoe, you are also prone to getting little pebbles in your shoes. Since the shoe doesn’t have a lot of support, it might not be good to wear these to crowded places like concerts or dances because you’ll definitely feel it if someone steps on your foot.

When it comes to style, it’s all personal preference. I definitely know some people who hate the way Converse looks. Our very own writer for The Bird on Fire, Luke Sonderman says, “I don’t hate Converse, but I definitely think that some of them are ugly.” But there are also people like my brother (Brennan Nick, PVS ’20) who hate high tops and would NEVER think about wearing a pair of Converse even if they are low tops. He is someone who loves to wear tennis shoes all the time.

Vans

Paul Van Doren worked at a shoe manufacturer when he decided he wanted to start his own shoe brand. In 1966, he and his brother James Van Doren were selling their first shoes for $2-5 dollars. They looked somewhat like today’s Keds but with a thicker sole. After James’s son showed interest in skateboarding, he decided to start manufacturing skateboard shoes. In 1976, the “Off the Wall” slogan was born. The slogan was slang used by skateboarders to do tricks in empty pools. Very soon after the slogan’s debut, Vans upgraded their design and released the Vans #36, which later became the Old Skool shoes. In the 80s, they were pretty popular, but the shoe-business competition was crazy. Counterfeit shoes were being sold, and so Vans had to lower their prices. Vans ended up filing for bankruptcy protection. In the late 80s, they sold the brand to McCrown De Leeuw & Co for 74.4 million dollars. In the 90s, Vans released many new shoes and even snowboard shoes. In 2016, for their 50th anniversary, they released a new logo.

Pros

The iconic waffle pattern on the bottom of the shoes offers lots of traction that won’t fade with time like Converse. The shoes are also pretty durable and comfortable and offer more support throughout the shoe than Converse, but they don’t offer arch support. They do have a “ComfyCush” option. These shoes have a small reinforced toe cap inside, supportive padded collars, and are made from suede and canvas. The shoes are super comfortable and are definitely a bit more supportive (besides the sole) than Converse.

Vans are pretty much the same price as Converse. They can range from anywhere from $17 dollars (i.e.the Makena sandals) to $200 (i.e. the snow boots). Vans shoes have had many different collabs including Vans x Van Gogh Museum, Vans x The North Face, and Vans x Golf Wang. Vans x Golf Wang are currently going for anywhere from $230 to even as high as $1000. They originally went for $100 when they debuted in 2015. Overall, they are very affordable shoes, but if you see a cool pair that happens to be a collab, you might have to pay almost double the price.

Vans come in many different styles like high tops and slip ons. Rarely do they make running shoes. You can always find the basic colors like black, white, navy, and checkered, but there are always other colors and patterns, and the brand has a wide selection that changes colors all the time. These shoes are another example of really good casual shoes that go with any outfit and always look good on anyone, but once again it is all personal preference.

Cons

When it comes to price, they are overall affordable but can get very expensive, as we just discussed.

These shoes are more protective than Converse but are still not the greatest idea to wear in the rain or at super crowded places. The shoes are also not as durable as advertised. Vans are pretty wide shoes, so they would fit pretty much everyone, but I would always get blisters from them because my feet were too narrow for them. Personally, I could never make Vans last more than a year, and I took good care of them. The insides of the shoes, especially the heels, would start ripping after just a few months of wearing them. The Old Skool Vans are definitely more durable than the slip ons, but I would always get holes in the toe cap area and the sides of the shoes.

Again with personal style, it is really up to you. I don’t really like the way Vans look, but some people can make them look really good if they have the right pair. For example, Jesse Denyer, writer for The Bird on Fire, says, “I like the way they look, but I would never wear them because I don’t like the way they feel, and they’re too heavy.”

If you’re thinking about buying a pair of Converse or Vans, but think they don’t have enough arch support, check out the brand Feel your Soul. Feel your Soul is a small business that makes shoe inserts for Converse. It started in 2017 when Jacob Zander wanted a way to make Converse more comfortable while inspiring people. They fit perfectly in my Converse, and they also make them for Vans now. They are super affordable and amazing quality for $15, and I put these in all my Converse. I highly recommend buying these if you want your shoes to be more comfortable. I know so many people that are diehard Vans supporters and other people, like me, that would love to have every single pair of Converse ever created.