Heartwarming photos show Maine elementary school students’ Dapper Wednesday event, where young children dress up as 1940s businessmen
They say you have to dress to impress – and that’s exactly what children at a Maine elementary school are now doing every week.
From elegant dresses to smart suits, Chelsea Elementary School’s ‘Dapper Wednesday’ is a chance for kids to show off their smartest looks.
Eight-year-old James Ramage and his friend Lincoln Bolitho’s inspired school uniform started the tradition, and soon everyone wanted in on the fun. Now the smart move has even been picked up by neighboring schools.
‘When we started wearing it, a bunch of teachers just complimented us and then more kids get involved and they get compliments. It just goes on and a bunch of people can do — can feel good,’ Ramage shared NPR.
Ramage’s grandmother gave him his first suit as a birthday present. When he started wearing them to school, Bolitho decided to do the same
James Ramage, 8, and his wardrobe inspired Chelsea Elementary School to start Dapper Wednesday last year
What used to be a fun trio thing for Ramage, Lincoln Bolitho and ed tech Dean Paquette turned into something the whole school can do together
Ramage started wearing suits after he was inspired by the wardrobe of a character on Fuller House – who only wore fancy attire.
He was then given a suit by his grandmother for his birthday, and he said it made him feel good as soon as he put it on.
‘I felt good. Because I thought when I looked at it in the mirror it looked cool on me,’ Ramage shared Maine Public Radio (MPR).
According to his mother, the new look ‘definitely helped his confidence’.
By December 2023, he owned a few more suits and allowed MPR to get a behind-the-scenes look at his particular dressing-up routine for Wednesdays.
Ramage is seen in the video moving clothes in his closet from side to side as he searches for the perfect suit to wear.
After choosing a suit, he chooses a shirt and rummages through his box full of bow ties.
Dressed and ready to go, Ramage slides a comb through his hair and tops off his adorable businessman look with a fedora.
Paquette got in on the fun so he can support the boys and their fun Dapper Wednesdays, handing out bows to the kids who forget to dress up
Ramage started wearing suits after he was inspired by the wardrobe of a character on Fuller House – who only wore fancy dress
Ramage’s mother claimed that wearing the suit made him feel much more confident about himself
Ramage revealed to MPR that he liked the suit and felt good wearing it because when he looked at himself in the mirror, he thought it looked cool on him
Ramage and Bolitho now own several suits and Bolitho has more than 40 bow ties
At school, his friend Bolitho immediately liked Ramage’s look and thought it would be great if he got his own suit.
Now Bolitho owns at least three suits and more than 40 bow tie.
Ed tech Dean Paquette also liked the boys’ suits and decided to join in on their delicious fun.
“I saw it the first time, it’s just that I wanted to support it,” he told MPR.
‘That was my big thing as an educator, here are two young boys doing something a little different.’
When Ramage’s classmates started getting involved, the ed tech was there to help hand out bow ties to the kids who forgot to dress up.
A student told CBS News their formal attire made them not feel like a child, while another schoolmate stated that they felt like a president.
Paquette thought what the boys were doing was fun and wanted to support them. He also hands out bows to students who forget to dress up on Dapper Wednesdays
Chelsea Elementary School Principal Allison Hernandez was excited to see what everyone has been up to and is also a Dapper Wednesday participant
Not only do children and teachers dress up nicely for fun, they also receive support from inside and outside the school.
According to Spectrum Local Newsindividuals have donated money to Chelsea Elementary along with other dress clothing to create the Dapper Closet.
Oklahoma high school students also sent the school a jacket made from ties originally used in their school play.
Fuller House star Jodie Sweetin even took the time to meet Ramage and all of his classmates after she found out about Dapper Wednesday.
“I think they like that it’s team building for the school and makes people feel good,” Bolitho said.
‘And I don’t think anyone would expect two kids to start such a big movement.’
At least two schools in Maine have started doing Dapper Wednesdays after the success of one at Chelsea Elementary School
A teacher at Oleson Elementary School in Texas asked teachers and students to do a Dapper Wednesday last January
Other Maine schools now have their own Dapper Day, including P. Burr Elementary in Lincoln and Greenville Consolidated School.
Oleson Elementary School in Texas also got in on the fun after a teacher, Mrs Burton, insisted they introduce a Dapper Wednesday to help ‘promote excellence and high self-esteem’.