School Dress Code

[Kacie_bride]

How do you feel about school dress codes?

[Kacie_bride]

I think dress codes are very important. I am not in favor of uniforms because I think it leaves no room for individuality, but dress codes are a fact of life. Most companies have a dress code. They might as well get used to it as early as possible.

[AngelinLove]

I agree with Kacie. I too feel that some room for individuality is important, but I also feel that it is very important to regulate how students are coming to school dressed. If this is not possible than I say put the a$$es in uniforms. Thye can express themselves when they get hoem from school!!!

[MOB Karen]

Ok, I feel like there is such competition in school to wear the most expensive shoes and clothes. If they had to wear uniforms, they could concentrate on learning and not on how low they can wear their pants. And you wouldn't be able to tell the rich kids from the poor kids. It would save parents so much money on clothes and shoes.

[LaceyinPgh]

Well, I hate the idea of uniforms in school. To me, part of being a teenager is the ability to express yourself (within reason). You can say that it helps the rich/poor aspect of things, but it doesn't. Wealthier parents are still going to spend more mony buying their children's uniforms at more expensive or "nicer" stores. The kids are still going to have designer plain black shoes and bags. While, the poor kids are still going to do their back to school shopping at WalMart or even Goodwill. Kids are still going to have watches, cell phones, and cars to compete with.

I agree that a dress code is in order. I just referenced ours:
Middle School / High School Dress Code
Dress Code Violations

A student’s appearance is a source of pride not only to the individuals and his/her family, but to the school as well. General standards for student dress and appearance are cleanliness, neatness, and good taste.

It is recognized that each student’s mode of dress reflects personal style and individual preference and that right is respected.

Inappropriate dress and appearance will be judged in regards to the disruption of the school learning environment, as well as the health, safety, welfare, morals, and rights of students and staff. If a student and/or parent/guardian is uncertain as the appropriateness of clothing for school, they should check with the school principal before wearing the clothing to school. The principal will be the final judge in determining appropriateness of dress and appearance.

School Dress and Grooming Code

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to enforce school regulations prohibiting student dress or grooming practices which present a hazard to the health or safety of the student him/her or to others in the school; materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program; cause excessive wear or damage to school property; or prevent the student from achieving his/her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restriction movement.


Students may be required to wear certain types of clothing while participating in physical education classes, shops, extra-curricular activities, or other situations where any special attire may be required to insure the health and safety of the student.

Dress Code

Students are expected to wear proper clothing in order to create a good school atmosphere. Any article of wear which serves no useful purpose or which is disruptive will not be permitted.

The following dress code guidelines will be enforced:

1. No jackets or coats, including denim and leather jackets, will be worn to classes.

2. Shoes must be worn.

3. “Short-shorts”, boxer shorts, halter tops, open backed dresses or tops, physical education sweats, spandex, tank shirts, shirts with open sides, hats, headbands, non-prescription glasses, transparent or mesh clothing, bare midriffs, and off the shoulder blouses are not permitted. Necklines must be respectable. Pants should be worn at the waist.

4.Clothes should not be adorned with suggestive signs or language, drug, or alcohol advertisements, symbols, or words, and must be in good repair. Wearing apparel with school names and emblems is acceptable.

5. Items used for grooming purposes are not to be a hazard to others or used in an area provided for such purposes.

Dress Violations

If attire is deemed inappropriate, the student will be subject to:

1. Changing into acceptable attire.

2. Placement in the Alternative Learning Center.

3. Suspension

[ladymelissa]

I love uniforms! I went to a private school that required uniforms though, so my opinion is probably biased and I never knew anything else. But, it was so easy not having to pick an outfit everyday or having to worry about keeping up with the latest trends or the "popular" clothes. I also think it would save parents a lot of money and headaches. And like Karen said, allow the students to focus more on studies than being cool. School is also hard enough, to fit in socially and academically; this would be one less thing to worry about.

[cowboysbride]

I went to a private school and we wore gray skirts or slacks with white button up collared blouses. There were gray or navy sweaters or cardigans or sweater vests you could wear and the socks had to be white, gray or navy. Once I got into high school we had the option of wearing our own shirts or sweaters over the white blouses and we all got pretty imaginative with our individuality....

I hated it, but looking back I saw the benefit (some). I think dress codes are a great idea and prevent little miss teen Suzie from dressing like a hooker (at school anyway) and little Bobby from going to the ER because he tripped over his pants that were hanging at his knees and dragging the ground! Eric and I are AMAZED at the **** these kids wear....and the messages it is sending.

[Kacie_bride]

Lacey, the kids are not allowed to wear jackets to class? I would have hated that because in my school it was freezing. The schools that I have subed in since have also been way too cold for me. I usually brought a sweater type jacket.

[LaceyinPgh]

I went to a private school and we wore gray skirts or slacks with white button up collared blouses. There were gray or navy sweaters or cardigans or sweater vests you could wear and the socks had to be white, gray or navy. Once I got into high school we had the option of wearing our own shirts or sweaters over the white blouses and we all got pretty imaginative with our individuality....

I hated it, but looking back I saw the benefit (some). I think dress codes are a great idea and prevent little miss teen Suzie from dressing like a hooker (at school anyway) and little Bobby from going to the ER because he tripped over his pants that were hanging at his knees and dragging the ground! Eric and I are AMAZED at the **** these kids wear....and the messages it is sending.
I wish I was allowed to take pictures and post them of some of the kids I work with. What they wear amazes me. But, then, I dig out my old yearbooks and what I wore amazes me. Although I do tell the kids, that if I wanted to see their underpants, I would come and help their mothers fold laundry.

[ladymelissa]

You can say that it helps the rich/poor aspect of things, but it doesn't. Wealthier parents are still going to spend more mony buying their children's uniforms at more expensive or "nicer" stores. The kids are still going to have designer plain black shoes and bags. While, the poor kids are still going to do their back to school shopping at WalMart or even Goodwill.
We had to buy our uniforms at the same retailer it was called Schoolbells. They usually had one day at the beginning of the year for measurements and everyone bought the exact same things. There were some choices in the style of the skirts, sweaters and blazers but they were from the same retailer.

We were also sent home if our uniform was not in the proper, presentable shape or if you weren't wearing it. Like a hem hanging or something.

[LaceyinPgh]

Lacey, the kids are not allowed to wear jackets to class? I would have hated that because in my school it was freezing. The schools that I have subed in since have also been way too cold for me. I usually brought a sweater type jacket.
They can wear jackets, they just can't wear their outside coats into class. To be honest, I wear my coat in class because my classroom has two temperature, penguin friendly and 7th Gate of Hell. If it is really cold (and believe me it gets really cold sometimes) and a kids asks if they can wear their coat, I never tell them no. I have a good group. No one is packing a gun or a kilo of coke in their sleeves. Now when I was working in city schools, they would have frozen. Those kids could have easily had a gun and kilo shoved in their winter coat pocket.

[LaceyinPgh]

We had to buy our uniforms at the same retailer it was called Schoolbells. They usually had one day at the beginning of the year for measurements and everyone bought the exact same things. There were some choices in the style of the skirts, sweaters and blazers but they were from the same retailer.

We were also sent home if our uniform was not in the proper, presentable shape or if you weren't wearing it. Like a hem hanging or something.
Anymore you can't do that because someone always screams that it is unfair because they can't afford those uniforms. Most places that require uniforms lay out the requirments and leave it up to the parents where to do the shopping.

[cowboysbride]

We had to buy our uniforms at the same retailer it was called Schoolbells. They usually had one day at the beginning of the year for measurements and everyone bought the exact same things. There were some choices in the style of the skirts, sweaters and blazers but they were from the same retailer.

We were also sent home if our uniform was not in the proper, presentable shape or if you weren't wearing it. Like a hem hanging or something.

I remember those days Melissa! We had gym uniforms as well and the boys and the girls all wore the same thing.

[ladymelissa]

Yep, us too! Until high school, then there weren't any boys!

[cowboysbride]

[quote=LaceyinPgh You can say that it helps the rich/poor aspect of things, but it doesn't. Wealthier parents are still going to spend more mony buying their children's uniforms at more expensive or "nicer" stores. The kids are still going to have designer plain black shoes and bags. While, the poor kids are still going to do their back to school shopping at WalMart or even Goodwill. Kids are still going to have watches, cell phones, and cars to compete with. [/quote]

This is going to sound snooty as hell but when I went to private school you wouldn't be there unless your parents were wealthier...I remember begging my dad not to make me go in somewhere after school (grocery store etc) while I was still in uniform because the uniform was "known" and if you had it on you were considered a snob...Not to mention that dad was always in uniform (USAF) himself and the bars/eagles on his shoulders told people pretty much that we were upper class....no questions asked, that stereotype works both ways...

[LaceyinPgh]

This is going to sound snooty as hell but when I went to private school you wouldn't be there unless your parents were wealthier...I remember begging my dad not to make me go in somewhere after school (grocery store etc) while I was still in uniform because the uniform was "known" and if you had it on you were considered a snob...Not to mention that dad was always in uniform (USAF) himself and the bars/eagles on his shoulders told people pretty much that we were upper class....no questions asked, that stereotype works both ways...
A lot of public schools now though do require uniforms especially in the inner city where gang violence is higher. But in a city like Pittsburgh, you have really wealthy neighborhoods next to really poor ones, and they happen to share a high school. So you still have the competativeness of "Who has the nicer______."

Besides, I loved clothes WAY too much in school to be forced to only have a certain number of choices in how to wear them. (Do you remember on the Fresh Prince when Will Smith woul dwear his blazer inside out with the wacky lining? Yep, that would have been me.)

[hummingbird521]

My daughter has been in public school where they had to wear a specific uniform and she has been in public school where they have a dress code. I thought at first that uniforms would be great. They did save time on what you were going to wear, but as far as the money on costs of them and some being nicer than others, made no difference whatsoever. You could either buy them from walmart or go to the suggested uniform supply store. The richer children went to the uniform store the others walmart. So it did nothing to help the children that were poor from being ridiculed by the "preppies". Now she attends public school with dress code only. To me this is much better and the kids have individuality with their choice of clothing. I love to take my daughter shopping for her school clothes or any clothes for that matter. I believe all schools should have dress codes (and figure most do). I hate to see young girls look like hookers and the boys look like they should be in the hood.

[cowboysbride]

A lot of public schools now though do require uniforms especially in the inner city where gang violence is higher. But in a city like Pittsburgh, you have really wealthy neighborhoods next to really poor ones, and they happen to share a high school. So you still have the competativeness of "Who has the nicer______."

Besides, I loved clothes WAY too much in school to be forced to only have a certain number of choices in how to wear them. (Do you remember on the Fresh Prince when Will Smith woul dwear his blazer inside out with the wacky lining? Yep, that would have been me.)

I tried wearing a pair of ropers once with my uniform (the white socks and boots look apparently didn't please Sister Whoever (they were all Mary Catherine, Mary Grace or Mary something) ..........ROFLMAO boy was dad pissed when he had to leave work to properly dress his daughter LMAO!

[LaceyinPgh]

I tried wearing a pair of ropers once with my uniform (the white socks and boots look apparently didn't please Sister Whoever (they were all Mary Catherine, Mary Grace or Mary something) ..........ROFLMAO boy was dad pissed when he had to leave work to properly dress his daughter LMAO!
That would have been my dad too. Only it wouldn't have been ropers. It probably would have been for fraying the hem of the skirt and adding mary jane style heels. (Hey it was the 90's and grunge was the rage, baby!)

[CarlosHoney]

I was a huge dresscode activist. I think that a school regulating a dress code is infringing on the rights of the students and their parents. I was a good student. Not perfect, but I did my work and paid attention in class. I was sent to the office 5 times in 2 years because of my hair. :bbconfused:

Now, my MOTHER helped me dye my hair. It was done with her permission. My haircolor isn't affecting anyone.. I don't see the point. Besides, I think that students are better at keeping you from wearing something crazy than the administration. I remember buying a shirt in Middle School that looked like the Lucky Strike logo and had 69 on it. None of the teachers said anything about it, but the other students did. I never wore it again.. I remember when girls would wear daisy dukes. The other girls were way meaner than anyone else could be.

[mariaandmanish]

I definitely feel that dresscodes are important. I am an elementary school teacher and am sometimes completely shocked at what some of the 6th grade girls in my school wear. Sometimes I am shocked at what some of the 3rd graders wear, too! I mean, they might as well be naked!! My school does have a dress code, and there have from time to time been children who have been sent home for being dressed completely inappropriately. I think that children should be allowed to express themselves and their personalities, but I think that tastefuleness needs to be a concern as well.

[CarlosHoney]

I definitely feel that dresscodes are important. I am an elementary school teacher and am sometimes completely shocked at what some of the 6th grade girls in my school wear. Sometimes I am shocked at what some of the 3rd graders wear, too! I mean, they might as well be naked!! My school does have a dress code, and there have from time to time been children who have been sent home for being dressed completely inappropriately. I think that children should be allowed to express themselves and their personalities, but I think that tastefuleness needs to be a concern as well.Were the parents aware of what their kids were wearing? :o

[mariaandmanish]

Were the parents aware of what their kids were wearing? :o

Yeah, that is a big part of the problem. Then again, you should see what some of the parents wear and think is okay!!!

[countrygirl]

My son's PUBLIC school district uses uniforms. I think it is good because it forces parents to makes sure they are dressed in appropriat clothing for school. Unfortunatley, too many parents don't take care of the clothess, and they kids end up looking terrible anyway. There are alot of imigrant families in the area, and they can't afford the clothes for the kids. The schools host a clothes drive each year. If you kids clothing is still in good shape, you can donate them to the school. they sell them to the other parents for $1/piece at the end of the year. At the beginning of the next year, they will give them away for free if they are still available.

[LaceyinPgh]

Were the parents aware of what their kids were wearing? :o
The parents are usually the one that buys it, washes it, and puts it away for their kids to take out to wear. That is the problem. I don't fault the kid. Kids will be kids. It is mom and dad's job to say no, you can't wear the tube top and micro mini today, sweetie. I mean my mom took me school shopping everyyear. If something wasn't appropriate (although my mother was the one who always complained that my clothes were never sexy enough) she would say, that isn't appropriate and I'm not spending my money on it.

[CarlosHoney]

My son's PUBLIC school district uses uniforms. I think it is good because it forces parents to makes sure they are dressed in appropriat clothing for school. Unfortunatley, too many parents don't take care of the clothess, and they kids end up looking terrible anyway. There are alot of imigrant families in the area, and they can't afford the clothes for the kids. The schools host a clothes drive each year. If you kids clothing is still in good shape, you can donate them to the school. they sell them to the other parents for $1/piece at the end of the year. At the beginning of the next year, they will give them away for free if they are still available.My brother's public schools here in San Antonio used uniforms.

[countrygirl]

The parents are usually the one that buys it, washes it, and puts it away for their kids to take out to wear. That is the problem. I don't fault the kid. Kids will be kids. It is mom and dad's job to say no, you can't wear the tube top and micro mini today, sweetie. I mean my mom took me school shopping everyyear. If something wasn't appropriate (although my mother was the one who always complained that my clothes were never sexy enough) she would say, that isn't appropriate and I'm not spending my money on it.

Rightly said Lacey.

PS My mom said the same thing about the way I dressed. heehee

[LaceyinPgh]

Rightly said Lacey.

PS My mom said the same thing about the way I dressed. heehee
No seriously, my mother would take me school shopping and then come home and complain to her friends that none of the shirts that I bought showed any cleveage. I didn't want a push up bra or thong. She can't believe that I got my jeans in my regular size instead of a size smaller so they would be tighter. And none of my shoes had heels on them any higher than a 2 inches. To my mother, if you didn't do to school dressed like Miss America and weren't juggelng 3 different boyfriends, you didn't really matter. FOrtunately I was smart enough to realize I didn't want to live my life like that. But, most girls really aren't and their mothers are too busy worrying about them being pretty as opposed to going to school to actually learn.

[countrygirl]

No seriously, my mother would take me school shopping and then come home and complain to her friends that none of the shirts that I bought showed any cleveage. I didn't want a push up bra or thong. She can't believe that I got my jeans in my regular size instead of a size smaller so they would be tighter. And none of my shoes had heels on them any higher than a 2 inches. To my mother, if you didn't do to school dressed like Miss America and weren't juggelng 3 different boyfriends, you didn't really matter. FOrtunately I was smart enough to realize I didn't want to live my life like that. But, most girls really aren't and their mothers are too busy worrying about them being pretty as opposed to going to school to actually learn.

My mom was a bit diff than that. I was so shy that I didn't wear anything that would show that I was more than a stick figure. My prob, I was too skinny, and I was ashamed of it. I still dressed like a girl, just not in anything tight or revealing (not that I had much back then).

[CarlosHoney]

I only asked because some of my friends would buy/wear things without our parents knowing. :bbredface:

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

In a public school I dont believe in uniforms, but I do believe there should be restrictions on what people are allowed to wear. We had a dress code and it was not that bad. It was a pretty easy dress code to follow... just a few restrictions on showing too much skin (and it had to be excessive), profanity and drug advertising on clothing, and undergarments hanging out of the clothes... they had to be covered. I dont think thats unreasonable at all..