Are We Ever Going Back to Dressing Up?

There was once an unspoken ritual embedded in student life: getting dressed for the day with intention. An outfit wasn’t merely fabric layered over skin—it was communication, an assertion of mood, identity, belonging, or defiance. But in 2025, as Ohio Wesleyan University’s campus hums with movement, that ritual looks markedly different. Sweatpants, hoodies, and well-worn sneakers dominate the visual field. Comfort-first clothing has become not just acceptable, but ubiquitous. 

This shift raises a compelling question: Are we ever going back to dressing up? Or, more provocatively, do we want to? 

The Normalization of Loungewear 

The rise of loungewear is not simply a trend—it is a cultural reordering of fashion norms. What was once considered private, domestic attire has now been absorbed into the realm of public dress. Athleisure, once confined to the gym, now permeates classrooms, dining halls, and even professional settings. 

This is not merely a continuation of pandemic-era convenience, but a more complex recalibration of values. Students are prioritizing clothing that aligns with their realities—multitasking, overextended schedules, fluctuating climates (both meteorological and emotional), and the desire for authenticity over artifice. 

“I still care about fashion,” said OWU senior Anna M., “but my definition of ‘getting dressed’ has changed. It’s about feeling grounded in what I wear, not performing polish for other people.” 

Effort, Redefined 

Historically, effort has been a cornerstone of fashion culture. From corsetry and tailoring to seasonal trend cycles, “dressing up” was synonymous with deliberate labor. Today’s aesthetic, however, celebrates a subtler form of intention—one that privileges ease and authenticity without forfeiting style altogether. 

At OWU, one sees this in the monochromatic sweat sets paired with minimalist jewelry, the oversized knitwear styled with vintage sneakers, or the artful layering of thrifted staples. The look is not careless—it is curated, but understated. Effort has been redefined not as visual extravagance, but as thoughtful restraint. 

The Decline of Daily Formality 

Dressing up has not disappeared entirely, but it has been reframed. Rather than a daily expectation, it has become event-driven—a form of self-expression reserved for moments that demand presence. Students still dress up for gallery openings, performances, or celebratory events, and when they do, it is with creative fervor. But the compulsion to present oneself as “dressed” in a traditional sense has softened. 

This is perhaps reflective of a larger cultural shift away from hierarchical dress codes. The distinctions between formal and informal, workwear and leisurewear, and private and public attire are increasingly porous. In this new landscape, style is defined not by adherence to convention but by alignment with one’s lived experience. 

Is This the Future of Fashion? 

The question, then, is not whether we will “return” to dressing up, but whether such a return is even desirable—or necessary. The democratization of fashion has given rise to a more inclusive, body-conscious, and mentally attuned mode of dress. Students are no longer dressing for the approval of the institution, the classroom, or the social gaze. They are dressing, instead, for functionality, for movement, for themselves. 

Still, for those of us who revere the artistry of fashion—the sculptural silhouette of a well-cut coat, the drama of a statement sleeve—this shift may feel bittersweet. But it need not be interpreted as fashion’s decline. Rather, it is a transformation: one in which clothing becomes less about spectacle and more about sensibility. 

A New Sartorial Paradigm 

If there is one truth that fashion history affirms, it is that dress is always evolving in conversation with culture. The current dominance of loungewear and relaxed aesthetics on college campuses is not a rejection of fashion, but a reimagining of it. It is a moment of liberation from rigid codes, a turn toward personal utility, and a quiet assertion that comfort and style are not mutually exclusive. 

We may not be returning to dressing up as we once knew it. But in its place, we are witnessing the emergence of a new sartorial paradigm—one rooted in authenticity, adaptability, and self-definition. And in that, there is elegance of a different kind.