Style is particularly important this day in age. A typical high schooler loves to find out what is “in” for the year and what is “out”. While high school students love to dress in the latest fashion, it can become an issue when trying to wear in-style clothes to school due to dress code policy.
“Appropriate tops should be worn. This includes knit or cotton tops, blouses, collared shirts and sweaters. Sleeveless tops may be worn as long as they have tight-fitting armholes and straps that are at least 2” wide. T-shirts, halter-tops, and tank tops are not allowed. Tops that are too revealing or tops that expose midsections (front, back or side) are unacceptable.”
This policy becomes an issue for girls because majority of the tops that are in style do not meet the required width and don't have fitting armholes.
“Skirts, dresses, or shorts may be worn of an appropriate length, which is at least a 4” inseam for shorts and mid-thigh for skirts and dresses.”
While finding dresses and skirts the appropriate length is easy because the length doesn't really vary among the different style changes, finding shorts is what the problem is. It becomes an issue for one student who wants to dress in the latest style because that involves shorts that are shorter than the required inseam. Along with a student wanted to be in style, most stores that teenage girls shop at don't even sell shorts that students could even possibly wear to school because it was gone way out of style.
“Clothing must be clean and in good condition. Some examples of inappropriate attire include: torn, faded, or patched shirts, skirts, pants, or shorts; athletic attire (gym shorts, sweatpants, etc.), overalls, etc.”
“The dress code is intended to balance individual freedom and creativity in choosing clothing while maintaining the proper focus expected at an academic institution.”
This strict requirement might be the hardest rule to follow for one wanting to dress in the latest trend. For the past few years ripped, faded, and distressed jeans and skirts have really come into fashion. In fact, when going shopping, the torn, faded clothing articles are what's taking up most of the stores, making it difficult to find clothing items in dress code.
How does a PD student incoorporate her fashion sense while following the dress code?
Does being in style violate the dress code?
By Colby James
Another part of this rule references to athletic attire. It seems so simple not to wear sweatpants to school; however, “athleisure” is one of the most new and in-style clothing of this past year. The style of looking cute but in athletic clothes is what a good number of PD students are going for. In this, joggers, loose pants that are elastic at the bottom, have been a new trend. It is easy to be able to wear these pants to school when they are anything but sweatpant material, but it is still up for debate when they still look like a sweatpant.
Sarah Heffner, a student at PD, is very into style. She will attend Auburn University next fall and hopes to do something with fashion there. Being a typical teenage girl, her fashion sense means a lot to her and she takes a lot of pride in her own. Talking to her about herown style, she had some information to spread about how her style is influenced by the dress code. For many of the girls at PD, it almost seems as everyone tends to come to the same agreement on how sometimes it is hard to be in style when still abiding the dress code guidelines.
Sarah Heffner wearing a shirt not in dress code, followed by a jacket that makes the outfit appropriate for school. Photo courtesy of Colby James
“When I wear tank tops I just try get a cute cardigan or jean vest to wear over it so you can still see the top, but it is still in dresscode”, Heffner said.
Heffner wearing ripped jeans that are not in dress code. Photo courtesy of Colby James
Heffner wearing jogger pants, Photo courtesy of Colby James
Heffner wearing a dress that is in dress code, Photo courtesy of Colby James
Overall, when regarding this statement in the PDS dress code handbook, it almost seems contradictory. Students would argue that there isn’t enough balance of an individual's freedom and creativity when choosing clothing, compared to the list of clothing that they can't wear. Most of the items that were listed on the handbook make students refrain from wearing the clothing types that people would consider their own creativity and a freedom that they want more of.
When wanting to go for a more athlesiure look, Heffner looks to joggers. "I like wearing joggers because they have the athletic look that is in style and are also pant-like material." she said. Wearing these style pants but helps her stay in style with the active look while also following the dress guidelines.
Sarah Heffner said, “I mostly just try to stay away from wearing shorts because it is so hard to find shorts that are that long”. While she also explained that having dresses and skirts that length is relatively easy to find and she never worries about it, she clearly just doesn’t even make an effort to find shorts because it is such a hassle to find them that length anywhere.
The Charger, March 2017
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