Tag Archives: dress codes

You Can Use “Urkel” As A Verb; “Getting Urkeled” Is Probably Not What You Think

Leonora EpsteinDecember 10, 2010 //

When we read the Time headline “‘Urkel’ Is Now a Verb,” we assumed this had something to do with hipster dress, which often takes after Steve Urkel fashion with tight pants and over-sized glasses. But no. Apparently, “getting Urkeled” is what the kids at Westside Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee, say when someone gets penalized for baggy pants. The school’s principal “has teachers armed with zip ties patrolling the halls for sagging pants. When a guilty student is identified, the teacher quickly fastens the zip ties to the belt loops and raises the pants up to the waist and beyond,” aka the act of getting Urkeled. Apparently these scare tactics are working as infractions have dropped from some 80 to 18 or so per week.

This seems like kind of a cruel and embarrassing way to get kids to dress right. (Not to mention invasive! Who wants their teacher grabbing their pants to give them a wedgie?) Although we’re almost more bothered by the fact that the baggy pants trend of the ’90s has resurfaced (or never left in certain parts of the country?). [Time] Keep reading »

No Fancy Nails, Dyed Hair, Or Earrings For Some Japanese Athletes

Annika HarrisFebruary 22, 2010 //

Dang, athletes in Japan have some serious dress code rules to contend with in order to participate in their sport. First, we told you about snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo, who was banned from the Olympic opening ceremony by the Japanese Ski Association because he was sporting a “hip-hop” twist on the national uniform. Now, we’ve learned that synchronized swimmers could face lifetime bans for expressing their sense of style. Japanese officials have implemented a policy, which goes into effect April 1, that will ban a swimmer if she/he goes to competition with elaborately painted or designed nails, dyed hair, or pierced ears. These rules are supposed to prevent the athletes from looking like rock stars, but they seem a little harsh to me. I mean, aren’t most people paying attention to their swimming or diving skills, instead of their fashion sense? [Reuters] Keep reading »

Cracking The Dress Code On Holiday Parties

Annika HarrisDecember 17, 2008 //

Black tie. Creative black tie. Cocktail. Casual Chic. We’re guessing you have an idea of what half of these dress code terms mean, but the other half is rather confusing. Dress codes are not only becoming more popular, but are also becoming more obscure. “It used to be it was either no dress code at all or black tie. There was nothing in between, and now it seems like every invitation you get has some variation on a theme that is just incredibly confusing,” says Hope Greenberg of Lucky.Thankfully, Greenberg deciphers these dress codes just in time for your holiday party. Keep reading »

The Daily Squeeze: Beijing’s Fashion Dress Code And Problems With Being Single

Catherine StrawnAugust 1, 2008 //
  • Beijing residents got a style guide covering what to where during the Olympics. Not allowed: white socks with black leather shoes, and wearing pajamas to visit neighbors. [AP via The Huffington Post]
  • Being single in your 40s might cause you to develop cognitive impairment. [AJC]

    • Keep reading »

    Jumpsuits As Punishment

    Catherine StrawnJuly 30, 2008 //

    Guess Gonzalez, TX, school district didn’t get the memo that jumpsuits are a fashion “do” these days. Kids from 5th grade through high school who come to school dressed inappropriately will be forced to put on a black, school-issued jumpsuit. Sure, it’s a little prison, but with the right accessories, I’d wear it. [CNN] Keep reading »

    The Daily Squeeze: Tattoo Discrimination, Miley Cyrus’ Fans In Prison, And Bad Boys

    Catherine StrawnJune 20, 2008 //
  • Tattoo discrimination still exists. If you don’t want to cover your ink up at work, make sure to ask whether the workplace is tattoo friendly at your next interview. [CNN]

    • Keep reading »