Like any other college atmosphere, downtown College Park seems like a laidback place when it comes to walking over to 7-Eleven for a Slurpee (R.I.P., Wawa) or indulging in some late-night buffet goodness at Shanghai Cafe. But when it comes to going out for a night on the (albeit sparse) town, you would think people would take the rare opportunity to see and be seen.
But according to bouncers interviewed over the weekend at R.J. Bentley’s and Cornerstone Grill and Loft, bar-goers in College Park simply wear the same kinds of clothes night in and night out. And therein lies College Park’s flaw: The all-too-casual college atmosphere has leaked off the campus and into the rest of the city, polluting the minds of those who might otherwise make fashion a top priority.
According to the head of security at Bentley’s – a man simply known as “Rock” to his co-workers – some of the current college fashion trends are both overused and unattractive.
“I’m tired of girls runnin’ around in muumuus and tights,” he said. For those who prefer these outfits – billowy tunic tops and leggings – Rock has no sympathy. “People around here got some jacked up gear,” he added.
Other area bouncers agree, saying that these females almost create a uniform.
“[Girls] all dress the same,” said George Young, another Bentley’s bouncer. “A real short skirt and some sort of top, and no one wears shoes. These girls will walk up in here with flip-flops on, and then complain when someone steps on them or they cut their foot on the glass on the floor. They’ll be like, ‘Oh my god, my foot!'”
But the bouncers didn’t have many nice things to say about men’s dress, either.
“We get like frat boys in collared shirts, and again sandals – not real shoes – and pink,” Young said while pointing at students walking into Bentley’s. “Then we get the athletes who wear whatever they want. [It] looks like they just got up out of bed and came over here,” he added.
Next door at Cornerstone, the fashion is even less noteworthy, according to bouncer Bo Robinson. “We get about 10 percent slutty, 10 percent classy and the rest is just kind of blah. Very casual,” he said.
Right around the corner from the main bars that serve Route 1, however, lies hope for College Park class: The Mark.
“I would say that The Mark is a different atmosphere than the other bars,” said Andy Budacki, a university alumnus and manager of both The Mark and Santa Fé Cafe. “It is something that College Park hasn’t seen before – it’s similar to the atmosphere you see in big cities like D.C.”
In a higher class atmosphere, “people seem to dress the part,” according to Budacki. “On guys, I see a lot of trendy T-shirts and dark jeans,” he said. “We see girls more dressed up – ladies wearing cocktail dresses and things.”
But there is one College Park staple that doesn’t even escape The Mark’s strict dress code, Budacki said.
“Surprisingly enough, I will see ladies wear flip-flops with their cocktail dresses,” Budacki said. “While the people here are a little more concerned about fashion, they are also concerned with comfort.”
But when does being concerned with comfort cross into that “too casual” territory? If you’re wearing anything with an elastic waistband, save it for the gym. Next, make sure you and your bar buddies aren’t wearing the exact same thing before you head out. Finally, for the love of $2 beer night, leave the flip-flops at home. Keep it classy, College Park.
cpomeroy@umd.edu
