As students are preparing to return to our historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) this fall, the Tuskegee University community has reignited one of Black America’s oldest debates over dress codes. In 2026, many professional settings don’t require strict professional dress. “When Tuskegee is trying to enforce a dress code but I already bought clothes violating it,” @hiitskzz said on TikTok. It’s important to note, however, that Tuskegee’s policy does not require students to dress solely in business attire. Students who enroll agree to abide by university policies, making the legal questions relatively straightforward even if the cultural ones remain contentious.