The clothes we wear say a lot about who we are and what we stand for. Whether we like it or not, clothing is a window into our personalities.

Universities, including ACU, often establish dress codes in an attempt to make sure the mission of the institution is expressed through what the students wear.

ACU’s dress code is reasonable. The student dress code policy dictates that students dress should exude “a mature Christian attitude and the ability to discern propriety.”

But your momma isn’t here to enforce this policy. Students who want to be treated like adults should dress accordingly.

It should not be the responsibility of professors or residence life to enforce dress code; students should want to enforce it themselves.

Clothes, or in some instances the lack thereof, are an important part of expression. A guy wears his pants halfway to his knees to make an expression. A girl wears a low-cut shirt to make a statement.

When a jogger runs shirtless around the Lunsford Trail, a statement is being made. In turn, it is not necessary to wear shorts that barely cover your backside the moment the temperature gets above 50 degrees.

It is true, jogging without a shirt or in skimpy shorts may be more comfortable, but you could also make the argument that it would be more comfortable to jog naked or in a toga.

The fact of the matter is, life is about sacrifices and making concessions. As students, we should be willing to sacrifice some level of expression and comfort in exchange for the benefits of adulthood. It may be time to trade in those skimpy shorts for something more reasonable.

The stated purpose of the dress code in the handbook is to “assist students in making decisions about their dress and appearance on campus.”

In theory, the university could force students to wear dresses, slacks and ties to classes. They could disallow hats in the classroom and shorts on campus. However, they recognize that students should be afforded the opportunity to express themselves through their attire, but they ask for one thing in return: Respect.

Dressing appropriately should be a matter of personal conviction, but if it is not, students should desire to dress reasonably out of respect for their peers.

So, put on a shirt next time you go out for a jog or consider more modest clothing for the sake of your fellow classmates.

We all aspire to be mature; it’s time we dress like it.