Formality Within Worlds

The pillars of World Schools Debate revolve around its accessibility as a forum: casual speaking for clarity, global examples to keep the context of debate worldly, and more. However, I find it ironic that we point out accessibility in terms of the event's structure when it requires the price tag of a blazer, suitpaints, and formality.

The dress code functions as an unspoken rule within Worlds—you see everyone else wear suits so no one bothers to question it—but let’s break down why formality is even a component in this global forum, and why the event could possibly be better without it.

Dress Code

Searching “dress code” on the NSDA website will get you the “Dress Code Template” stating, “we believe you should dress in a way that authentically represents yourself.” Despite that, going to tournaments is similar to stepping into the Men in Black agency, as debaters crowd around largely in the same combo of black blazer and pants.

I think this is for a couple of reasons; mostly, because of herd mentality. As a freshman, I saw the varsity members debating in suits– so naturally I realized I’d need one to imitate those top level debaters– if not in arguments, then at least in style.

Second, debating itself seems like a formal activity. Key word: seems. When I tell people I’m in debate, a lawyer speaking to a jury pops up in their head, lawyers who are always depicted in suits blaring formality. But “debate” encompasses so many forums. Most notably I came to this realization watching dramatic interp performances, as people who exude formality through suits broke that illusion with their acting, ridiculous facial expressions, and enticing storytelling abilities. Other events such as LD or Policy almost feel like anything else other than formal would feel like wrong attire as you sort through facts, statistics, and quick delivery. 

And while some forums contradict the message of a blazer and others conform to it, I think World Schools sits in a gray area. While you are introducing statistics and logic, you are also tasked with stylistic choices and presentation throughout your speech. You want your personality to show, as well as your strategy.

But lastly formality seems to be connected to respect within debate. Someone in a sweater is seen as less than in comparison to a blazer, even if both speakers have the same arguments. This is notably because of the expectation for individuals to show up in formal attire. Thus, when so much is at stake,  debaters are less likely to break out of the outlined norm and follow what has been proved to garner the most favor.

Why is formality unnecessary?

The greatest shock a suit set can create other than its uncomfort is the price tag it comes with. I never knew the cost of respect until I was forced to shop for acceptable suits as the blazer I’d thrifted began to fray at its end. Not only that, but it becomes increasingly hard to justify the purchase when you already have to pay for your debate program and travel tournaments. 

Having a uniform standard logically seeks to eliminate judgment to evaluate individuals solely of skill, yet formality ends up doing the opposite. Now, individuals who don’t appear stylistically formal are seen as less than to speakers who do match that tone– despite Worlds being a forum that calls for emotion, outrage, and expression. It becomes normalized to judge individuals off their appearances by having this standard dress code, making World Schools increasingly restrictive to who is welcomed. 

Why would Worlds be better without the pressure to be formal?

At the point in which I’ve had multiple judges use the analogy of being able to pull anyone off the street and have them understand the content within worlds, it seems intuitive to not show up in a suit but in casual clothes to a casual debate. Not being suffocated in dress shirts and belts can allow debaters to focus on what’s actually important–the debate–over looks. Even just organizing what colors to wear can be a fairly annoying deal (speaking from experience, as part of a team that can rarely color coordinate), and the thought of a world wherein the only things I needed to color coordinate were my socks already takes frivolous stress off me. 

I also believe formality has shut down self-expression within the forum like dyed hair, piercings, makeup, and jewelry as it’s pushed conformity. Worlds uniquely asks for debaters to use their appeal as a speaker to draw judges in, and debaters being able to physically express their style can open up for them to verbally express themselves over simply copying the “best” speakers.

A free dress code literally serves as peak accessibility. If  Worlds truly cares to be a forum that allows everyone to debate, it makes no sense as to why it has students debate looking like they came from the same mold.