Current:Home > InvestHow a Maine 8-year-old inadvertently became a fashion trendsetter at his school-InfoLens
How a Maine 8-year-old inadvertently became a fashion trendsetter at his school
View Date:2024-12-23 17:04:44
Chelsea, Maine — Most 8-year-old boys don't get dressed to the nines. But James Ramage loves to dress for third-grade success.
He started wearing a suit to class a few years ago to his school in the small rural town of Chelsea, Maine, located outside Augusta. At first, the other students didn't know what to think.
"Every time I saw him, I was just like, 'OK,'" one of Ramage's classmates told CBS News.
"And I'm like, 'Why is he dressing up?'" said another.
Ramage knew he stood out. But he soon decided he didn't care what others were wearing.
"I don't need to look like them any more," Ramage said. "I can be who I want to be."
In any school, a decision like that can go a few different ways. You could be accepted for who you are or ostracized for who you are not. Or, in very rare circumstances, you could become a trendsetter. Ramage fell in the latter category.
"More people started to do it," said a classmate.
"And now people absolutely love it," added another.
Now, once a week, students at Chelsea Elementary put on their finest for what is known as "Dapper Wednesday." It is not a dress code, it was solely created by the students.
Teacher Dean Paquette was an early adopter and is now an avid advocate of dressing up.
"Being dressed up, kids are different," Paquette said. "I think it's a self-esteem thing. And then it carries with them all the way through the day."
The kids agree, telling CBS News they love how it feels.
"It feels like I'm not a kid anymore," said one, while another declared that "it feels like I'm like a president."
The school has also started a "Dapper Closet," for which it receives donations, to ensure everyone who wants to participate can.
When Ramage started all this, he had no idea the impact it would have. But he doesn't think every kid should wear suits — just whatever suits them.
"Just wear what they want to wear," he said.
- In:
- Fashion
- Education
- Maine
Steve Hartman has been a CBS News correspondent since 1998, having served as a part-time correspondent for the previous two years.
veryGood! (49)
Related
- Judge sets April trial date for Sarah Palin’s libel claim against The New York Times
- New York Liberty stars put on a show for college coaches in Game 2 of WNBA Finals
- Irina Shayk Shares Rare Photos of Her and Bradley Cooper’s 7-Year-Old Daughter Lea
- Bachelor Nation’s Jason Tartick and Kat Stickler Break Up After Brief Romance
- Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
- Deion Sanders, Colorado lose more than a game: `That took a lot out of us'
- Suspect in deadly Michigan home invasion arrested in Louisiana, authorities say
- Fantasy football Week 7 drops: 5 players you need to consider cutting
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- Khloe Kardashian Shares Before-and-After Photos of Facial Injections After Removing Tumor
Ranking
- DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
- CFP bracket projection: Texas stays on top, Oregon moves up and LSU returns to playoff
- New York Liberty stars put on a show for college coaches in Game 2 of WNBA Finals
- Starship launch: How to watch SpaceX test fly megarocket from Starbase in Texas
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- It’s Treat Yo' Self Day 2024: Celebrate with Parks & Rec Gifts and Indulgent Picks for Ultimate Self-Care
- Blaze that killed two Baltimore firefighters in 2023 is ruled accidental
- What makes the New York Liberty defense so good? They have 'some super long people'
Recommendation
-
Roy Haynes, Grammy-winning jazz drummer, dies at 99: Reports
-
When is 'Tracker' back? Season 2 release date, cast, where to watch
-
Asheville residents still without clean water two weeks after Helene
-
Opinion: Harris has adapted to changing media reality. It's time journalism does the same.
-
Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
-
Forget the hot takes: MLB's new playoff system is working out just fine
-
NFL Week 6 injury report: Live updates for active, inactive players for Sunday's games
-
Texas still No. 1, Ohio State tumbles after Oregon loss in US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 7