Does your public school have a dress code?

[jennyanydots]

we've got a pretty liberal dress code. the kids complain, of course. but over all they don't have it too bad -- basic rules are no underwear showing, no nasty messages on t shirts, no bare midriffs, no spaghetti straps, that sort of thing.

 

[missypie]

Just this morning I had a conversation with the Vice Principal at the middle school who is the dress code enforcer. DD (6th grade and a rule follower) will only wear big baggy t-shirts to school. The rule is that if any skin shows when they stretch both hands above their heads, their shirt is too short. That rules out many many many shirts (most of the shirts I wear to work as a lawyer!) I asked the Vice Principal if they were really enforcing that or if it was as scare tactic to rule out bare midriffs and she said no, they enforce that rule (to keep from distracting the boys with the possibility of seeing bare skin.) My kids dress modestly and they don't own any midriff-showing clothes, but I think they should be able to wear shirts that don't come down to their knees!

Also, the rule for sleeveless tops is so confusing (the shoulders must be "three finger widths wide") that my kids are afraid to wear sleeveless tops to school, even though when school starts it is close to 100 degrees.

 

[piratesmate]

Our schools have a dress code that limits what they can wear, but does not mandate the equivalent of a uniform.

In the past, we were fine with everything on it. Last year in middle school, the girls were told that they couldn't wear scarves/bandanas on their heads. At the time, this was very popular with the pre-teen/young teen set around here. When asked why, parents were told that it "wasn't right" that girls could wear things on their heads & boys couldn't. That's taking PC too far IMHO.

This year the dress code states "no head coverings" - which is going to cause problems for our Mennonite population...some still wear them, although not all do.

The biggest issue we have with it is the "no bandana print clothing"! Why? No scrunchies, no shirts, no neck scarves....

We live in a rural area. I live on a farm! Believe me, gangs are not the motivation for these rules.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We have a dress code. But no uniforms.
*We can't have profanity, drug/sex, or gang related stuff displayed on our clothes. They don't specify what's gang related though.
Shorts and skirts are supposed to be mid-thigh. LOL. You'd be amazed what some girls get away with for mid thigh
*No hats in the building
*No halter tops, spaghetti strap tops or tube tops. Once again girls get away with too much.
*We have to wear shoes at all times. Flip flops are allowed.
There's more but I can't think of it right now.
I'm all for having the dress code. Fashions right now are awful, and the dress code attempts to keep kids in actual clothes.

 

[Claudia1]

My issues with the dress code is not that it interferes or prohibits freedom of expression or that following code is a common thread in life. My issue is that it is sooooo rigid that uniforms would be cheaper. Dress codes are good, IMHO. I'd rather spend my money on clothes that are already approved than on an outfit that just barely meets the code and my be subjectively rejected.

Good comments all around.

 

[Mimi Q]

Yes. It is very reasonable though. No short shorts, spaghetti straps, pants hanging down- that kind of thing.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Our high school just started a dress policy (or started enforcing it). I don't have a problem with the policy, but waiting to tell the kids until the first day of school is a bit much. They already had new clothes bought.

They are not allowed to wear spaghetti straps, halter tops, I think no bare midrift. I have no problem with this. Their skirts and shorts have to be longer than their fingertips. I would prefer if they just say an inseam length since some kids have longer arms than other kids. It's hard to find shorts for teen girls that are ok under the new guidelines since the style is so short. Even the Soffee shorts (cotton athletic shorts) are not allowed, which many of the girls like and wear.

I do wish that they had of told us about this new enforcement during the summer with enough notice to keep it in mind when clothes shopping.

T&B

 

[ttichenor]

Our public school system implemented a dress code 5 years ago. Solid color, collared, sleeved shirts that must tuck in with arsm raised; black, navy, khaki slacks or blue jeans which are plain and must fit, bells no larger than 2/3 of your shoe; belts etc.. No logos larger than 2"x3". DD12 likes to wear hoodies, but finding hoodies that don't zip (no zipper; too easy to hide things) with no logo proving to be harder than expected.

School switched to dress code when she was in 2nd grade and her sister, DD9, has only known dress code. They are okay, but bored with. Interesting to see what styles they come up with. Thank goodness the polos with different little critters are popular right now!