Hopefully this is allowed, as it’s not my malicious compliance but a story I can validate with my former class mates. I went to the same school as Robert Smith from The Cure, a few years later but the teachers remembered him well.

My form tutor told us a story in class that stuck with me, as it sounded very him. I realise we only have her word for it. But she had no reason to lie, it was 1989 and The Cure were famous enough but she wasn’t the type to hunt for bragging rights. In fact it was out of character for her to break cover.

When he was in 6th form (year 12/13) he used to dress “differently” as she put it. One time he came in wearing huge flared, striped trousers (I think she said blue and white). A teacher pulled him up on it and said his trousers were too flared.

The next day he apparently came in with the same trousers but tied at the ankle to rein in the flare. She said they could not help to find it hilarious as it changed the style he may have been shooting for but he looked like Andy Pandy (UK cultural reference) and just didn’t care.

It stayed with me as inspiration for MC for ridiculous rules throughout my life. 🙌🏼