While attempting to define the word "flair," I found that Urban Dictionary is plagued with references to the cult classic "Office Space"(1999), which, according to many internet sources, first introduced the phrase "flair" into mainstream culture. Flair is, according to the film, the term used for the buttons and various paraphernalia worn (and hated) by chain restaurant employees:
Peter Gibbons (from Office Space): Doesn't it bother you that you have to get up in the morning and you have to put on a bunch of pieces of flair?
Joanna: Yeah, but I'm not about to go in and start taking money from the register.
Peter Gibbons: Well, maybe you should. You know, the Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear.
I'm glad I'm here to set the record straight, because in my opinion, that definition is as fake as the crap hanging from the walls of said restaurant chains. Flair shouldn't have a negative connotation. If Peter Gibbons had asked Dartmouth students if it bothered us that we had to get up in the morning and put on flair, the answer from students would have been a resounding "NO!"
You see, as a Dartmouth student, I know the real origin of flair: Dartmouth students themselves. Since the dawn of time (circa 1769), Dartmouth has influenced the world of fashion through zany and personalized displays of fashion consciousness. For example, the Croos began wearing flair to welcome the freshmen to campus much earlier than the 1999 release of Office Space. Not only are the Croos responsible for introducing incoming freshmen to the College, but they are also responsible for integrating them into the culture of flair.
Still not enough proof that Office Space has nothing on Dartmouth? Fine. Even further back in history, Dr. Seuss (Class of 1925) displayed some of the original flair throughout his children stories. I mean, if the Whos of Whoville aren't wearing flair, I don't know who is. And finally, we all know that the 1978 classic Animal House is largely based off of Dartmouth students sporting mankind's most well-known piece of flair: the toga.
Any student who has run around the bonfire knows that Dartmouth's tradition of flair is as important as any scholarly pursuit, and it should be treated with the respect it deserves (albeit, no formal wear required).
I personally love being able to watch people rock spandex and faux fur on a regular basis. I think it shows a certain level of self-confidence that I rarely saw in others before coming to Dartmouth. And it also helps that I really like neon. Keep in mind, however, that flair is more than just a cheap grab for attention, which seems to be the most common complaint. Flair is hardly a non-vocalized self-call. Flair is a bedazzled revolution that brings together an entire campus every year. So, embrace the clothing revolution we coined! Wear rain boots with nighties! Wear sweatbands and a cape!
Ironically, as I started writing this article, I decided to look up the person who had the DND nickname "Flair," because it seemed to me that the best way to get the most information about flair is to go straight to Flair himself. I expected to find the name of the heart and soul of Dartmouth staring back at me. Surprisingly, no matches were found. I decided to take the task of embodying the spirit of Flair upon myself, and you may now Blitz me at "flair" should you have any questions or concerns. May you have as much spandex and glitter as Dartmouth deems fit.
Carol is a writer for The Mirror.
