Students dress for success in their business casual best
By Reagan Rozzi
First impressions are everything, especially in the professional world. Our confidence about the way we carry ourselves makes a significant difference in the impression we leave on others, and this is particularly true when interviewing for a job. Coach Christopher Allen of Owasso High School is teaching students this vital skill, which is why he created “Dress for Success” Mondays for his students.
Since his first year at OHS in 2017, Allen has been leaving his impact on students through his AP Human Geography and Global Conflicts courses. But one of the most important lessons he hopes for students to remember after they leave his classroom is the significance of a well-put-together outfit.
After spending several years teaching in Europe during his military deployment, Allen took note of the foreign fashion culture.
“They never really dress down if you will … So when I came home here, and when I saw all the [clothes] I was like, ‘well I want to teach these kids.’ … Teachers always [dressed] like this, always up to the nines,” Allen said in his tucked in collared shirt and slacks and dress shoes. “Women teachers [were] in dresses or skirts or slacks.”
Allen decided to approach administration with his idea for an incentive that would teach students about the meaningful difference in dressing formally and how it would set them up for success.
“I brought up this idea of ‘Dress for Success’ every second Monday of the month to say, ‘Here, I’m gonna show you … how you should be presenting yourself on a job interview or college admissions visit … that you should have that first impression of looking really good and sharp.’”
But Allen realized you can’t just tell students to dress formally and expect them to eagerly follow, which is why he chooses to grant students bonus points for their self-presentation. Students are granted five bonus opportunities per semester, with 20 points per grade. Their only requirement: spend a full school day dressed in business casual attire, such as slacks, skirts, collared shirts and dresses.
“Making a first impression whenever these students are getting ready to go out into the workforce or go to college visits, that first impression is just a big deal.”
For those who may not initially have access to more dressy wear, Allen encourages students to take advantage of the school’s clothing pantry—which can be accessed by contacting either Ms. Addison Sewell or Mrs. Tabitha Stephens.
“[Dressing up] just gives that whole idea, it’s like, ‘I’m confident, I’m ready to go.’”
Coach Allen’s “Dress for Success” is a tool that does just that: helps students carry themselves with confidence as they step closer towards the real world. Our healthy habits start during our adolescence as we transition into adulthood, and one of the most important lessons that we should uphold throughout our lives is the impact of a good first impression.