With all the new changes to Castilleja this year, one of the most significant ones is in the uniform updates. The school previously followed a stricter set of uniform guidelines, in which students constantly tried to find loopholes, but typically ended up with dress code violations.
One of the biggest changes to the uniform this year is how modern it is. The previous uniform guidelines drew from more traditional aspects, with students donning the classic skirt and polo pairing almost every day.
“I feel like people were wearing spandex and shorts with skirts, nowadays people are wearing more pants,” Danielle Molotsi ’24 said. In fact, arguably the biggest change to the uniform is that Casti removed the requirement of the skirt altogether – a change some students have welcomed.
“I haven’t worn the skirt in weeks by now. I just have a lot more options,” Reagan Raphael ’25 said.
Molotsi described the alternative of pants as “more freedom,” and said it makes her “actually like the uniform.” Other big changes noted by students are the resurgence of pants, which some students prefer to the skirt.
This noticeable difference comes with the change in tops students are allowed to wear. Students are now allowed to wear any Casti spirit gear (anybody else digging out their What’s Possible t-shirts?).
“The polos are super uncomfortable. I haven’t worn one in so long,” Corinne Chang ’27 said. Paired with the lack of skirts, the Casti uniform has certainly gone through some big changes.
Any day in 2022, a visitor to the campus could walk outside and see a sea of students dressed in a navy blue sweater, a polo, and a light blue skirt. Now, almost no student is wearing the same thing: students are dressing in jeans, sweatpants and many students have chosen to give up the polo entirely.
The new guidelines have also led to students caring less about their inner layers, with more of a focus on outer layers. “I think only being responsible for your outer layers has been a really great change because it’s really annoying to wear polos underneath whatever you’re wearing,” Olivia Stinson ’24 said.
Students have also noted the addition of colorful socks to the uniform, with Niva Himatsingka ’27 sharing that she “likes to wear a lot of funky socks,” and Stinson explaining that “The sock change makes the uniform a lot more versatile.”
Let’s say it’s the worst case scenario. You overslept studying for a test and watching TikTok, your alarm clock went off late and it’s suddenly 7:55 a.m. and you had to leave 20 min ago. What would you wear? Many students had different responses to this, as a basic, get ready quick outfit is a staple.
“I normally wear just sweatpants and a t-shirt or the polo,” said Raphael. Similarly, Himatsingka shared that her go-to outfit was “probably just a navy polo, paired with jeans or pants.” This idea of casual pants instead of this skirt was a common thread among the interviewed students, and Molotsi said that she “rotates between sweatpants, pajama pants, and jeans for bottoms.”
This sudden burst of changes has also led to more students disobeying the dress code. Some students feel the new guidelines were never made clear, leading them to believe they can wear checkered pajama pants, sweatshirts with any design or cut the necklines and hems off their shirts. Now, teachers are being equipped with posters detailing the uniform guidelines, making it easier for them to hand out UVs.
In terms of the best ways to style the uniform while staying in dress code, students have a lot of similar answers. 11 interviewed students shared their love of Brandy Melville, explaining that the sweaters and pants sold at the store fit the aesthetic of the Castilleja uniform perfectly.
“The vibe of the store is just so similar to Casti’s aesthetic,” Izzy Spieser ’28 remarked, while Emma Siegel ’27 shared that she could “just buy any sweater from Brandy and it’d probably fit the dress code.” Other stores mentioned were Hollister and Urban Outfitters for sweatpants, and Pacsun for sweatshirts.
In the ever-changing environment of Castilleja’s uniform changes, the shift from the traditional skirt and polo combination to a more versatile, comfortable and unique attire has been met with approval among the interviewed students. The changes have brought in a new era of personal expression within the uniform. Students enjoy the newfound liberty to choose from a diverse set of clothing options, leading to a departure from the simple sea of the once-standard uniform.
However, these changes have also brought about a challenge in maintaining adherence to the updated dress code, prompting teachers to provide clearer guidelines and enforcement. As students continue to experiment with different styles, it’s evident that the uniform transformation has not only redefined the dress code but also empowered individuality and self-expression within the Castilleja community.
