The hallways of high schools and middle schools are getting more and more crowded with students who choose comfort over style. It’s quite common now for teenagers to choose putting on pajama pants, sweats, or slippers in the morning rather than nice-looking pairs of jeans and sneakers. 

And adults, specifically our parents and even teachers sometimes, criticize us for it. In their eyes, such attire is meant only for the privacy of your own home because the idea of entering the outside world in leisure wear is ridiculous.

I admit that entering society with pajama pants can appear pretty goofy at times, but they are also wholesome, soothing, and uplifting. Closely associated with sleeping, pajama pants bring teenagers closer to the comfort of their beds they’ve been forcibly separated from. And feeling of the soft and cozy fabric can be relieving for young students as they take on the challenges of rigorous learning at school.

Rushed awake by the harsh, anxiety-inducing ring of our alarms, mornings are already difficult times for many of us. Students wake up at times ranging from 5-7 AM just to get to school on time. And for us Liberty students, that’s eight o’clock. In comparison to young adults who either have college classes or 9-5 jobs, we get up pretty early.

Therefore, it should be more acceptable to leave the house in comfortable clothes. We already have to get going so early. Putting together a cohesive outfit and being forced into uncomfortable, restricting clothing is not an obstacle I want to take on while I’m half-awake and cranky. 

I’d inevitably end up in sweatpants or leggings anyway. If I subject myself to the torture of nicer looking clothes, I’d continue my day with a less positive attitude and a constant urge to change my clothes.

Are the clothes we choose to wear at school even that big of a deal? I feel like they shouldn’t be because all we’re trying to do is learn. If anything, wearing comfortable clothes is preventing me from getting distracted. I won’t fixate on how itchy I am from a cute but inconsiderate blouse or the tight feeling of jeans on my legs. Instead, I’ll be in my soft sweatshirt and sweatpants, focused on the insightful lessons that school is supposed to offer.

While coziness is my top priority, there are some instances when its cons shine through and the practicality of normal clothes is appreciated.

The only thing I have to say in opposition of comfortable style is that it’s sometimes not the most convenient. In the face of emergency, many of us will be screwed. When it’s raining, your cute, fluffy slippers will likely get ruined. And if, for any reason, you need to run, running is not really an option.