Why high schoolers across the US are dressing up for ‘Adam Sandler Day’ (2024)

Adam Sandler’s fashion school is now in session.

Students across the country are donning ill-fitting T-shirts and baggy shorts to mimic the A-lister’s roll-out-of-bed vibe at official school-sanctioned days — complete with looks from his 1990s blockbusters like “Happy Gilmore,” “The Waterboy” and “The Wedding Singer.”

The “Adam Sandler Day” trend has spread across the US — and even Canada — this fall after popping up on TikTok in March. It’s often part of Spirit Week, when schools set a different theme each day.

Sandler, 56, might be an odd fashion icon to some, but the Brooklyn native’s decidedly down-market look — dubbed #Sandlercore on social media — made him Google’s top search in the “celebrity outfits” category last year, beating out high-style symbols like Britney Spears, Cher and Harry Styles.

Reilly Baron, a junior at McHenry Community High School in Illinois, swiped one of her dad’s shirts to pair with baggy sweatpants, a backward baseball cap and Reeboks to complete her best Sandler impersonation on Oct. 3.

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Roughly half of the school’s 2,200 students dressed up as the “Billy Madison” star, Baron said, even though his more popular movies came out before she and her classmates were born.

“I think it’s just because so many celebrities wear really expensive clothes or unique styles and then Adam Sandler is just wearing casual, everyday clothes,” Baron, 16, told The Post of the funny man’s allure. “He dresses like he’s not a celebrity at all and that’s really cool.”

Charlotte Alexander, another 16-year-old junior at McHenry, said she was “really excited” for Adam Sandler Day since she could to go school in clothes more fitting for a day spent on the couch: a bulky hooded sweatshirt and basketball shorts over a pair of leggings.

“Knowing that he’s amassed a large amount of money and is capable of dressing in much more expensive clothing is really funny to our generation,” Alexander told The Post of Sandler. “It’s ironic.”

Students were behind the push to hold the Sandler-themed day after seeing the idea on TikTok. The former “Saturday Night Live” star — whose fortune is estimated at a staggering $420 million — was the only celebrity who was considered, Alexander said.

“It was Adam Sandler or nothing,” she said.

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Some teachers and administrators got into the act as well, including attendance clerk Nancy Shea, who went all out as Sandler from 1998’s “The Wedding Singer.”

Brent Pearson, a student council advisor at Eureka High School in Missouri, estimated some 80% of the school’s 1,700-plus students took part in that school’s inaugural Adam Sandler Day earlier this month.

“Most dressed like Happy Gilmore,” Pearson said, adding that he did the same, complete with a flannel shirt, baggy sweatpants and a lone golf club. “It was just fantastic.”

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After years out of the classroom due to the pandemic, the teens were eager to express themselves, Pearson said.

“Kids are so creative,” he said. “You can’t help but laugh when they walk in with that type of swagger.”

For Audrey Watson, 16 and a junior at Eureka, the reason the kids chose Sandler to show off their school spirit is as simple as his titular character in 1995’s “Billy Madison.”

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“He dresses in such a particular way, almost as if he just walked out of a Goodwill or second-hand store,” said Watson, who raided her brother’s dresser and wore long basketball shorts and a “really, really oversized” tank top along with an old pair of Nikes. “He is worth so much, but he dresses like an everyday person. It’s kind of iconic.”

The first-ever Adam Sandler Day at Lincoln High School in Rhode Island last week was also an unmitigated smash hit, principal Rob Mezzanotte told The Post. At least several hundred students took part.

“He’s obviously a very popular guy and his movies are kind of classic,” Mezzanotte said of Sandler. “It really just came from our kids. They suggested it as a spirit day and they seemed to all be in favor of it.”

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Teri Rasa, a social studies teacher at Southern Alamance High School in Graham, North Carolina, said Sandler Day garnered the “most participation” of any school spirit days last week.

“At least half of the school and most of the faculty participated in one way or another,” Rasa said, adding that most were decked out in athletic wear, shower slides with socks or “dad shoes.”

A rep for Sandler, meanwhile, declined to comment on the teen fashionistas he inspires. The unlikely trailblazer told reporters in June that it’s a look he’s been honing for some time, Esquire reported.

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“It took a while,” Sandler said. “I was working that angle for years. For a while I was like, ‘Please accept me and the way I dress.’ And 30 years later, they finally came around.”

Sandler’s crude fashion sense also took over the hallways last week at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas, where roughly 75% of its 500-plus students wore the baggiest clothes they could find, cheerleading coach Rita Maldonado said.

“It was a big hit,” she told The Post.

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Karis Alcoser, a 16-year-old cheerleader at Poteet, borrowed her father’s cargo shorts to complete her Sandler getup along with an oversized plaid button-down and a Texas A&M T-shirt. Students had considered doing a Spirit Day pitting soccer moms versus barbecue dads, but Sandler won the vote in a landslide.

“It was not close at all,” Alcoser told The Post.

Another Poteet cheerleader, Joliah Flores, said Sandler was the obvious choice since he bridged the generational gap between youngsters and older teachers and administrators — like assistant principal Angela Hammonds, who summoned Sandler’s “The Waterboy” with character Bobby Boucher’s orange No. 9 jersey.

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“He’s so calm and relaxed, everyone can relate to him,” Flores said. “Even though [Sandler] has so much fame, his fashion has never changed. He stays true to what he likes.”

Why high schoolers across the US are dressing up for ‘Adam Sandler Day’ (2024)

FAQs

Why high schoolers across the US are dressing up for ‘Adam Sandler Day’? ›

Students, faculty and staff at schools across the U.S. and in Canada are paying tribute to the beloved actor and comedian, whose style has taken on a life of its own, rocking baggy pants, collared shirts, basketball shorts and sneakers on "Adam Sandler Day." Others are pulling sartorial inspiration to match Sandler's ...

Why do schools do Adam Sandler Day? ›

"With Adam Sandler, his style is timeless and appropriate for any occasion. People respect the authenticity of how Adam Sandler dresses." At middle schools and high schools, dressing up like Adam Sandler is as simple as thinking big.

Why is Adam Sandler trending? ›

Adam Sandler became famous in the '90s for his comedy — but it's his style that's going viral on TikTok lately. In videos with hashtags like #AdamSandlerStyle and #AdamSandlerSummer, teens pair cargos pants with oversized T-shirts, button-downs and Hawaiian patterns. Colors are recommended; a slouch is required.

What part of Brooklyn is Adam Sandler from? ›

Funny man Adam Sandler grew up in Bensonhurst until age 6. His Mom was a teacher and his Dad was an electrical engineer.

What highschool did Adam Sandler go too? ›

Sandler grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, after his family moved there when he was six years old. He attended Manchester Central High School. As a teen, Sandler was in BBYO, a Jewish youth group. He graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1988.

When did Adam Sandler finish high school? ›

Sandler graduated from Central High School in 1984. He went on to become a cast member of "Saturday Night Live" and later a star in Hollywood feature films.

What do you wear on Adam Sandler Day? ›

The Classic Adam Sandler 'Fit

The signature Sandler 'fit typically involves an oversized red or blue T-shirt or polo shirt, a pair of baggy basketball shorts (any color, but they're mostly blue), and basketball sneakers. Don't forget to add a pair of black sunglasses!

What is Adam Sandler summer? ›

Adam Sandler Is All About Comfy Style

The actor frequently steps out in pajama-like clothing, including extra-large shirts, baggy shorts, and practical, athletic footwear. Adam Sandler Summer Has Replaced Hot Girl Summer, and We're Fine With That.

Why is Adam Sandler's wife in every movie? ›

The couple of more than 20 years initially met on the set of Adam's film "Big Daddy" in 1999 and have remained attached at the hip since then. In the beloved comedy, Jackie has a small role as a waitress, and her presence on screen inspired a lengthy tradition of appearing in just about all of Adam's movies.

Who started wearing baggy clothes first? ›

Many people believe that the baggy trend originated in prisons. The prisoners were rumored to feel more at ease under the less constrictive clothing. High incarceration rates among African Americans have led inmates to serve as role models for kids in the community (Nitzsche, 2019).

Who is Adam Sandler's daughter? ›

Sadie Sandler is the eldest Sandler daughter, and is now 17. Both Sadie and her sister Sunny have followed their father's footsteps into acting. "They are kind of passionate about wanting to be good in acting and that's all they talk about," Adam Sandler told Jimmy Kimmel in a November 2023 interview.

How did Adam Sandler get so rich? ›

His projected $440 million revenues come from his production firm, TV series, and box office movie sales. Notably, a sizable percentage of Sandler's recent earnings can be ascribed to a lucrative contract he has with Netflix.

What kind of accent does Adam Sandler have? ›

He was raised in New Hampshire so his accent was leveled a bit. When he is doing stand up has a stronger accent than when he is being interviewed. It is East Coast but with a lot of things added.

Where did Adam Sandler go to grade school? ›

SANDLER WENT TO THE WEBSTER SCHOOL HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHAT A FUN SURPRISE ON THE PLAYGROUND, HUH? THAT IS REALLY COOL. TO GO BACK TO YOUR OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS PRETTY FANTASTIC.

Where does Adam Sandler hang out in NYC? ›

Brooklyn Diner

One of Adam Sandler's favorite restaurants, this cozy diner is frequented by tourists, locals and celebrities including Jerry Seinfeld and Paul McCartney. Confusingly, the Brooklyn Diner is not in Brooklyn but on 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, not far from Sandler's old “SNL” stomping ground.

How did Adam Sandler do in school? ›

Sandler was raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, the youngest of four children. Academically disinclined, he was frequently disciplined for his comedic antics in school. He first performed at a stand-up comedy club in Boston at age 17 at the urging of his brother.

What elementary school did Adam Sandler go to? ›

SANDLER WENT TO THE WEBSTER SCHOOL HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHAT A FUN SURPRISE ON THE PLAYGROUND, HUH? THAT IS REALLY COOL. TO GO BACK TO YOUR OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS PRETTY FANTASTIC.

Did Adam Sandler play sports as a kid? ›

The future Saturday Night Live star grew up an avid basketball fan, playing for his Jewish community center's youth team before playing high school basketball for Manchester Central High School in New Hampshire.

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