In today’s world, high school dress codes are often a topic of heated debate, and it’s time we reflect on how challenging these guidelines can be—even for adults! One writer, inspired by the restrictive rules imposed on teenage girls, decided to experiment by trying to fit her adult wardrobe into the stringent dress codes of various American high schools. The results? Quite alarming.
Writer Sarah Monroe took on the challenge by gathering dress code regulations from eight different high schools. Each day, she attempted to adapt her typical work attire to meet the often confusing and rigid standards that teen girls are expected to follow. Spoiler alert: it was not easy.
The first school’s dress code was relatively manageable—Sarah found herself able to wear an outfit she would typically don for work. However, she quickly realized that the ambiguity of the rules, which included phrases like “no unnecessarily revealing tops” and “no excessively short skirts,” left a lot of room for interpretation. Who decides what’s “unnecessary” or “excessive”? This vagueness gives educators significant power in determining who gets called out for their clothing choices. Not a great situation for students.
As she progressed through the week, the dress codes became increasingly absurd. One school prohibited tank tops entirely. Really? Are shoulders and collarbones that scandalous? Sarah also highlighted the ridiculous “fingertip” rule, where girls are told that their skirts or shorts cannot be shorter than where their fingertips reach when their arms are at their sides. This is not only arbitrary but also unfair to taller girls, who have a harder time finding appropriate options.
In another instance, a dress code mandated that skirts and shorts could only be a minimum of six inches off the ground while kneeling. Imagine the embarrassment of having to kneel in front of a teacher or administrator for a measurement! Sarah took things a step further, allowing her male boss to measure her while she was kneeling, resulting in an experience that was “terrible for everyone involved.”
The most outrageous dress code she encountered was a list that included requirements like:
- Solid color tops without collars
- All skirts must reach the bend of the knee
- No shorts or skorts permitted after the fourth grade
- Shirts must have sleeves covering the shoulders
- Pants must be made of “substantial material”
To comply with these rules, Sarah ended up wearing a pajama shirt, as nothing else in her wardrobe could meet the strict standards. What does “substantial material” even mean? Could it be burlap? In Texas heat, the thought of wearing heavy fabrics is just cruel.
Ultimately, Sarah concluded that adhering to stringent dress codes can be a massive distraction for high school girls. It’s probably even more distracting than a teenage boy catching a glimpse of a shoulder during class—ironically, one of the reasons these rules exist. The reality is that compliance often hinges on luck, body type, and financial circumstances. For example, if you’re 5’10” and live in a warm climate, good luck finding shorts that meet these arbitrary standards. It’s simply unfair.
Supporters of these dress codes argue that they prepare students for “real” life, where they will need to follow dress codes in professional settings. While that may be true, high school is not the same as the workplace. Schools with overly strict dress codes should consider relaxing their rules so that students can focus on what really matters: learning.
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In summary, the challenges of adhering to high school dress codes illustrate not just the absurdity of the rules but also how they can unfairly impact students. By recognizing these issues, we can advocate for a more balanced and fair approach to dress codes in schools.
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