Posted on 12/11/2011 12:56:43 PM PST by Colofornian
Updated. The first time I read this, I thought it was parody: Independent Brigham Young University publication The Student Review reports that BYU-Idaho has banned skinny jeans as part of its honor code guidelines against "form-fitting clothing." Skinny jeans: trousers of the devil? Don't tell Mitt Romney.
"It's useful for us to realize that fashions will come and go. There will always be some tempting new style," University Vice President Henry J. Eyring explained in September. Fun fact: According to Wikipedia, Eyring is a member of Romney's extended family.
Anyway, I'm 95% sure that this Student Review article is not a joke, just a straightforward dispatch from the strange, sexless world of Mormon higher education. There's a 5% chance I just don't get Mormon humor, though.
Update: BYU-Idaho's skinny jeans kerfuffle is, indeed, real. After I requested a comment from Eyring, he responded twice, and looped his two BYU-Idaho colleague Kevin Misayaki into the conversation.
from: Henry Eyring to: Maureen O'Connor cc: Kevin Miyasaki date: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 5:43 PM subject: RE: Gawker Media Question: Skinny Jeans
Dear Maureen:
I appreciate your interest in BYU-Idaho. I'll share your questions with my colleague Kevin Miyasaki, who will know the answers better than I.
Thanks so much,
Henry
from: Kevin Miyasaki
to: Maureen O'Connor
cc: Henry Eyring
date: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 6:29 PM
subject: RE: Gawker Media Question: Skinny Jeans
Dear Maureen:
Thank you for your concern and interest. I hope my response satisfies your question, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
We have not identified "skinny jeans" as a specific violation of the dress and grooming standard. We are aware of the incident and the Student Honor Office is working with the Testing Center to address the issue.
The wording in the BYU-Idaho dress and grooming standard regarding formfitting clothing is as follows: "Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing. It should not have slits above the knee or be formfitting."
The foundation of this standard comes from "For the Strength of Youth" which states, "Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner."
The Testing Center has not made any new standard, nor has there been a ban of a particular piece of clothing. The effort of the Testing Center as well as with other employees and students is to encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.
I hope this is responsive. If not, please feel free to contact me.
Kevin Miyasaki
Student Services and Activities Vice President
200 Kimball
Rexburg, ID 83460-1640
from: Henry Eyring
to: Maureen O'Connor
date: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 6:35 PM
subject: RE: Gawker Media Question: Skinny Jeans
Dear Maureen:
Purely by chance, after sending my earlier message I listened to a 1973 Ricks College/BYU-Idaho devotional address by my father, Henry B. Eyring, in which he articulates our rationale for modesty in dress. If you click on the attached link, search for 1973 addresses, and scroll down to 28 August, you can get the audio recording of the talk. His remarks about dress and grooming appear about ¾ of the way through. I hope that you find them helpful.
Thanks again,
Henry
http://web.byui.edu/devotionalsandspeeches/speeches.aspx
(Think of all of the Mormon families/friends of BYU-Idaho students who've already purchased these for them this Smithmas season)
My son’s christian school banned them as well if they “showed the genitalia”. I support a modest dress code. I think the schools can do whatever they want. If I wanted my son to date a ho or a stripper look alike, I’d send him to the public school down the road that my taxes support. I don’t want to see your camel toe!!! 8-)
We can’t make an informed decision without seeing some samples.
I mean, by comparison, if a religious cult can control what underwear you wear, hey, this is an extremely small step contrast-wise!
C'mon. These are adults. Not kids. Kids always need LOTS of adult input and boundary-setting.
Supposedly these are religious-based "discerning" adults.
But, hey, way to weigh in treating adults like kids.
Well, I have absolutely no problem with this. It’s a private university, and all the school is doing is applying the long-standing honor code guidelines to a recent fashion trend. People who aren’t comfortable with the code can apply to a different university.
I said: If a religious cult can control what underwear you wear, hey, this is an extremely small step contrast-wise!
And believe me, the Mormon has quite a monopolized forced acquisition racket going on via forcing church members to wear temple clothing that can ONLY be purchased. Church members can make their own temple aprons, but not their temple garments or temple ceremonial clothing. And even then, they HAVE TO purchase "the approved apron embroidery and sewing kit that is available through Church Distribution Services":
"Members may change to white clothing in a temple to participate in the ordinances...This sacred clothing may be purchased through Church Distribution Services...Some temples also have temple clothing available for rent...The distribution and sale of garments requires the authorization of the First Presidency. Garments are available in a variety of styles and fabrics. They may be purchased through Distribution services...When necessary, bishops and stake presidents should instruct members on how to purchase temple clothing and garments...Members may make their own temple aprons only if they use the approved apron embroidery and sewing kit that is available through Church Distribution Services. Temple garments and temple ceremonial clothing may not be made." (Lds "Church Handbook of Instructions: Book I Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics 2006, pp. 79-80)
Are you sure this wasn’t from a muslim university?
Isn’t this just about modesty?
I agree with you. The school should be free to impose clothing restrictions if they want. Students are free to go elsewhere to school if wearing tight clothing is more important to them than the quality of their education and respecting rules, even those with which they disagree.
Thank you for post #4. Good for you and good for BYU and the Mormons. Why would anyone be against this?
No one is “forced” to do anything in my Church. What in the world are you talking about? Haven’t you ever heard of free agency?
Well, of course.
(1) But why stop at skinny jeans? I can think of dozens of things the Mormon church can force its students to wear or not to wear. Why not an extensive comprehensive legalistic wardrobe list?
(2) Why stop at adults on campus? Why not force Mormon adults to adhere to comprehensive wardrobe policies where they meet for worship?
I was at Target last week and this chubby college boy, with kewpie doll hair, walked into the store ahead of me. He was wearing skinny jeans and it was not pretty. He looked like Perez Hilton.
I have no problems with modesty. I would prefer society, at large, to have reasonable standards of decorum.
Since nobody is forced to attend that school, that school is free to establish whatever dress code they choose. Don't like the dress code -- enroll in a different school.
You wrote:
“But why stop at skinny jeans?”
We’re talking about college students, right? Besides sweats what else do they were other than jeans?
“Why not an extensive comprehensive legalistic wardrobe list?
Did you ever think such a list just isn’t needed?
“Why stop at adults on campus?”
Maybe because that was the issue?
“Why not force Mormon adults to adhere to comprehensive wardrobe policies where they meet for worship?”
Force? They can’t force anyone to do anything. They have no police force or army (not any more, at least). I bet most Mormon congregations have a written or strongly recognized but unwritten dress code.
“These aren’t skinny jeans...I’m just fat.” - Jim Gaffigan
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