Hopkins attire: classy for many occasions

I have often wondered why we all feel the need to wear clothing plastered with “Johns Hopkins” or “JHU” or “Blue Jays”, and after some deep reflection I have figured out a couple of possible reasons:

 

We like to show off. 

 

Think about it — what is the first thing you did when you decided to come to Johns Hopkins? Most of you probably bought sweatshirts. In my case, I applied ED and my parents had bought me a sweatshirt ahead of time (good thing I got in!).

I wore that sweatshirt everywhere I went, as I’m sure many of you did. But soon, the sweatshirt wasn’t enough. I wanted more Johns Hopkins apparel that I could wear in different situations — so I bought two t-shirts and some shorts. Doesn’t it just feel great to strut your stuff with the words “Johns Hopkins University” plastered across your chest?

You know (or hope) that people are thinking to themselves, “Whoa she goes to Johns Hopkins, she must be really smart”. Yeah, thanks, I am.

 

To show school spirit.

 

We love Hopkins! It’s always useful to have some JHU apparel to rock at a sporting event. That way, people always know what team you are rooting for, on the off chance that they can’t hear your obnoxious comments about players on the opposing team and the promiscuity of their mothers.

 

It’s convenient. 

 

Hey, Barnes & Noble is the closest store to campus. Need a fleece because you are from California and can’t stand weather below 60 degrees? Might as well get one while you are picking up that textbook you somehow didn’t get around to buying until the very last minute.

And as I’ve recently discovered, Hopkins gear makes for great presents! Barnes & Noble is now my one stop shop for all of my present buying needs — a fleece for mom, a sweatshirt for dad, some stylin’ sweatpants for the little sis, a mug for grandma and grandpa, and a mini jersey or two for the little cousins A.K.A future Hopkins superstars.

Some of it is actually pretty good looking. Solos and Ralph Lauren?  Enough said.

 

A lot of times, it’s free. 

 

Half the time I don’t know where they come from, but I feel like every week there is a new free t-shirt going around and they are always hot commodities (which makes sense, I mean, who doesn’t like free stuff, especially on a college student’s budget). I am continually amazed by how many people will go to events that they have no interest in or wait in long lines, just for a free shirt.

 

To make connections.

 

I like to wear my Johns Hopkins shirts when I go abroad. People have come up to me in both Paris and Petra, Jordan and talked to me about how their husband’s sister’s friend taught in the physics department. It hasn’t made me any useful connections yet, but you never know, I might land myself an internship someday!

 

To counteract all the people who wear other college shirts.

 

(Ok so this one is a bit of a stretch, but it’s just a theory so bear with me). For one reason or another, many people don’t seem to see anything wrong with walking around campus wearing clothing that advertises other colleges.

Nobody gives a damn that your dad went to Harvard, so please, either take that crimson sweatshirt off, or move to Massachusetts, it’s really your choice. And that Duke t-shirt? Really?

Are you trying to get murdered? That’s about as bad as wearing a Yankee hat in Boston . . . maybe even worse. So perhaps, the rest of us who wear lots of Hopkins gear are subconsciously trying to make up for the lack of common sense of certain people in our midst.

 

To look collegiate. 

 

There is nothing like the sight of college students walking down a brick pathway under the trees whose leaves are changing color, who are proudly sporting their school name somewhere on their bodies.

You know what I’m talking about. They are wearing backpacks, and probably talking about the chemistry behind why leaves change color.

 

So if your closet is looking a little empty, or you just want to treat yourself after that tough orgo exam, why not head on down to Barnes & Nobel and find yourself something nice. Need a better reason? I just gave you eight.