The dictionary defines pajamas as “a loose usually two-piece lightweight suit designed especially for sleeping or lounging.”

It’s kind of a sad fact that I should even have to explain that, but the harsh reality is that all too often I see people out in public dressed in clothes that you should obviously only sleep, workout, or clean your house in.

These people just love to chant, “I don’t care what other people think of me,” or “You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!”

Well that’s fantastic! I appreciate your individualism and I totally agree, as a society we should be a lot better at not immediately judging each other.

But sadly, that’s not the reality we live in. I wish just as much as anyone else that it wasn’t so, but in the immortal words of Tupac Shakur, “Don’t blame me, I was given this world, I didn’t make it.”

Now I’m not saying we should just live by a what-you-see-is-what-you-get attitude, but I do think we should be respecting ourselves a little more so that maybe everyone else will.

You still may not care what other people think, but what do you think of yourself? Is a sloppy ponytail, sweatpants, and grungy flip-flops all you’re worth?

I totally understand that some people are going to be more worried about rushing to their 8 a.m. class and getting their kids ready for school than picking out their Sunday best, but everyone should at least respect themselves enough to put on a pair of clean jeans before they leave the house.

I don’t see a problem in caring more about shark week than fashion week, and on the opposite side of the spectrum, I would probably give you a quizzical look if you walked the halls of Bakersfield College in head-to-toe runway fashion, but I think there is an important middle ground where we should at least try to present ourselves in an appropriate way.

If we go to a job interview, a wedding, or the beach, it’s common sense to dress the occasion, and I just don’t see why it’s not just as obvious to dress appropriately for school.

It’s just as easy to throw on a comfy, stylish cardigan than a sloppy, oversized sweatshirt. Try covering up messy hair with a cute hat or beanie, and if you’re really adventurous, trade a pair of jeans and T-shirt for a dress and tights.

I don’t want to send a message of materialism, or that clothes will make you happy (only shoes can do that,) but if you look your best, you’ll often feel your best. With all of the opportunities available for us to succeed at BC, you never know when you’ll need to make a good first impression or need a little extra self-confidence boost. If you look like you respect yourself, the rest of the world will surely take notice and do the same.

If we all put in a little more effort and just dressed like adults, maybe we could get back to judging each other by the things that really matter, like our tastes in music and favorite sport teams.