Disclaimer: The Ivory Belltower is purely satirical. Don’t take it too seriously.
From previous popular trends of swearings (sweater earrings), tackets (tank top jackets) and jeggings, it comes to no surprise that NC State students are in a rage over wearing clown shorts. What started off as a dare, Micheal Lewinsky, junior studying English, decided to dress up in a clown suit for a class presentation.
Even though Lewinsky’s presentation was on the history of clowns, the NC State faculty deemed this choice of clothing to be inappropriate according to the detailed handbook addressing the school’s dress code. They claim it violates POL 11.35.87 stating that “any outfit detailing bright colored polka dotted shorts is considered a distraction to class and therefore must not be seen on campus.”
This ban on clown shorts has deeply affected the Clown Nose Club at NC State as students are unable to wear the club uniform. Distraught by this loss, the club has been urged to change their name to the “clown-less red nose club.”
Although faculty concerns did not stop Emily Barnes, sophomore studying civil engineering, from finding a way to wear her cyan- and fuchsia-colored outfit.
“When I noticed that faculty argued our clown pants couldn’t be seen, I immediately realized a loophole,” Barnes said. “We could still wear clown pants as long as it was hidden from view.”
Student organizations are working together to keep this trend alive. Distribution of oversized shirts allow students to perfectly conceal clown shorts. To ensure students have proper gear to cover their shorts, countless organizations from Fraternity and Sorority Life to the Union Activities Board have planned events to win free shirts throughout the year.
The bookstore in Talley has dedicated a specific section to buy oversized shirts, or “shirt dresses” as referred to by Madeline Ray, freshmen studying biology with a pre-med intent. Shirt sales have skyrocketed, raising more money for the campus. Students show their support by wearing oversized NC State apparel.
“Wearing a shirt dress to cover my favorite bright yellow clown shorts makes me feel like part of the pack,” Ray said. “I feel a sense of community seeing everyone dress this way.”
Oversized shorts have also made an appearance as many guys have decided to decoratively layer their clown shorts underneath. Sagging allows for bright polka dotted colors peek through. Although faculty members frequently remind students that having their clown shorts show when their pants fall down is not appropriate.
While NC State does not want to encourage students to wear clown shorts, they understand that a large population of students will participate in this trend anyways. Creating preventative measures against direct displays of clown shorts, University Recreation has made it a standard for students that choose to wear clown shorts to wear oversized shirts when attending classes at Carmichael.
The Student Health Center offers support programs for students who feel it is absolutely necessary to wear clown shorts. They hope to offer a safe and comforting environment for students regardless of their clothing choices.
