With ongoing discussions about the absurdity of high school dress codes, have we ever contemplated what it would be like to fit our adult wardrobes into those same rules? One daring writer decided to put herself to the test, trying to adapt her adult clothing to meet the stringent dress codes from several high schools across America. The outcome? Quite eye-opening.
Journalist Jenna Whitaker collected dress code guidelines from eight different high schools and set out to match her everyday outfits to the often confusing standards that teenage girls must navigate. It quickly became apparent just how challenging this task would be.
Initial Observations
The first school’s dress code was relatively lenient, allowing Jenna to wear an outfit she might typically sport at work. However, she noted that the guidelines were “delightfully vague,” featuring ambiguous phrases like “no ‘unnecessarily’ revealing tops” and “no ‘excessively’ short shorts.” This raises the question: who decides what is unnecessary or excessive? Such ambiguity gives educators significant discretion in determining what outfits warrant punishment—a frustrating reality for many girls.
Increasing Stringency
As Jenna continued her experiment, the dress codes became increasingly stringent. One school forbade tank tops entirely. Seriously? Is showing shoulders really that offensive? She highlighted the ridiculousness of rules like the “fingertip” measurement, where a girl’s skirt or shorts must be longer than where her fingertips reach when her arms are at her sides. This method is arbitrary and often leaves taller girls struggling to find suitable clothing, while those with shorter arms have an easier time.
Another school utilized a kneeling measurement: “Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 6 inches off the ground while kneeling.” Imagine having to kneel before a teacher for a measurement! Jenna humorously put this to the test by having her male boss measure her dress while she knelt down, resulting in an awkward and uncomfortable situation for everyone involved.
The Outrageous Final Dress Code
The final dress code she attempted was particularly outrageous. Brace yourselves:
- Tops (without collars) must be a solid color, no designs/emblems/logos
- All skirts must reach the bend of the knee
- No shorts or skorts allowed after fourth grade
- All shirts must have sleeves that cover the shoulders
- Pants must be made of a “substantial material”
To comply, Jenna ended up donning a pajama shirt since nothing in her closet met the criteria. “Substantial material”? What does that even mean? And in a hot state like Texas, requiring heavy clothing is just cruel.
Conclusions on Dress Codes
Ultimately, Jenna concluded that navigating these strict dress codes can be an immense distraction for high school girls—perhaps even more so than a male student’s view of a shoulder during class, which is often cited as a reason for these guidelines. She noted that adherence to these rules is largely based on luck, body type, and the ability to afford appropriate clothing. For taller girls, especially in warmer climates, finding compliant shorts can be nearly impossible—it’s just plain unfair.
Proponents of such dress codes claim they’re preparing students for the “real world,” where they must adhere to professional attire. However, Jenna argues that high school is not the same as adulthood, and perhaps schools should rethink these stringent rules so that girls can focus on their true purpose at school: learning.
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, visit this link. Also, check out this resource for additional information on fertility and pregnancy.
In summary, Jenna Whitaker’s experiment reveals the absurdity and challenges of high school dress codes as she found it nearly impossible to adhere to the strict and often confusing standards. These codes can distract from education, and it may be time for schools to reconsider their approach.