pro dress code essay

Dress Codes – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Pro/Con Arguments | Discussion Questions | Take Action | Sources | More Debates

While the most frequent debate about dress codes may be centered around K-12 schools, dress codes impact just about everyone’s daily life. From the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” signs (which exploded in popularity in the 1960s and 70s in reaction to the rise of hippies) to COVID-19 pandemic mask mandates, employer restrictions on tattoos and hairstyles, and clothing regulations on airlines, dress codes are more prevalent than we might think. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the first dress code–humans started wearing clothes around 170,000 years ago–nearly every culture and country throughout history, formally or informally, have had strictures on what to wear and not to wear. These dress codes are common “cultural signifiers,” reflecting social beliefs and cultural values, most often of the social class dominating the culture.  Such codes have been prevalent in Islamic countries since the founding of the religion in the seventh century, and they continue to cause controversy today—are they appropriate regulations for maintaining piety, community, and public decency, or are they demeaning and oppressive, especially for Islamic women? [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ]

In the West, people were arrested and imprisoned as early as ​​1565 in England for violating dress codes. The man in question, a servant named Richard Walweyn, was arrested for wearing “a very monsterous and outraygeous great payre of hose” (or trunk hose ) and was imprisoned until he could show he owned other hose “of a decent & lawfull facyon.” Other dress codes of the time reserved expensive garments made of silk, fur, and velvet for nobility only, reinforcing how dress codes have been implemented for purposes of social distinction. Informal dress codes—such as high-fashion clothes with logos and the unofficial “ Midtown Uniform ” worn by men working in finance–underscore how often dress codes have been used to mark and maintain visual distinctions between classes and occupations.  Other dress codes have been enacted overtly to police morality, as with the bans on bobbed hair and flapper dresses of the 1920s. Still other dress codes are intended to spur an atmosphere of inclusiveness and professionalism or specifically to maintain safety in the workplace. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ]

Should Dress Codes Be Implemented and Enforced?

Pro 1 Dress codes enforce decorum and a serious, professional atmosphere conducive to success. Research shows that the quality of work improves when performed by individuals who dress up. One study found that participants who wore formal business attire (such as suits) scored higher on cognitive tests, with specific increases in abstract thinking. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] Another study compared negotiations completed by a group who dressed up and another group who dressed casually. The dressed-up group closed more profitable deals. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] Study participants who wore a white lab coat or who were told a white coat was a doctor’s coat made 50% fewer mistakes on high-concentration tasks than people who did not wear a lab coat or who were told the white coat was an artists’ smock. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] High school athletes at St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota agreed that their teams’ dress code days (which include dressing up on game days) positively contributed to team unity. Brendan Donahue, a hockey player, said participating in dress code days better prepared him for games. He stated, “The dress codes add a further feeling of connection, teamwork and bond by wearing the same thing. It acts as a uniform much like our jerseys. Our dress code of dressing up adds a feeling of professionalism to our team and sport.” [ 15 ] Read More

Pro 2 Uniformly mandated dress codes promote safety. From school chemistry labs to manufacturing jobs, some dress code requirements are obviously about safety. Many places require protective glasses, steel-toed boots, fire-resistant jackets, hard hats, or reflective vests, for example. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] Other items of clothing may be restricted for less obvious safety reasons. Leggings, for example, are frequently made from synthetic, flammable materials that could react with spilled chemicals and catch fire. Similarly, skin-baring clothing may also be banned around chemicals to prevent burns. [ 19 ] Religious headscarves have been banned in some settings, such as prisons, because wearers could be strangled by the garments in an altercation. [ 16 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] Still other dress codes, such as no full-face masks (like Halloween masks) allowed in movie theaters, are intended to help prevent shootings and other violence. [ 22 ] Other clothing restrictions at schools and public places may seem arbitrary but are used to protect against gang activity. Colors, brands, and logos may be gang-affiliated in certain locations. As Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska explained, “Clothing and accessories associated with gangs and hate groups have the potential to disrupt the learning environment by bringing symbols that represent fear and intimidation of others into classrooms. The identification and prohibition of this clothing help decrease the impact of gangs and hate groups in school. These rules also protect students who are unaware they are wearing clothes with a gang or hate group affiliation.” [ 23 ] Read More

Pro 3 Dress codes promote inclusiveness and a comfortable, cooperative environment while eliminating individualistic attire that can distract from common goals. As Bonneville Academy, a STEM school in Stansbury Park, Utah, explained, “The primary objective of a school dress code is to build constant equality among all the students. When all the students wear the same style of dress, then there will be the same kind of atmosphere across the school campus. This pattern encourages the student to concentrate more on their academic and co-curricular activities… then all the learning becomes more interesting and relevant… Students who are used to dress[ing] properly will be well equipped to evolve into the actual world, especially when they enter into the ever-competitive job market.” [ 24 ] Susan M. Heathfield, a management and organization development consultant, stated, “Employees appreciate guidance about appropriate business attire for your workplace—especially when you specify a rationale for the dress code that your team has selected.” Simply knowing whether suits are required or jeans are appropriate removes guesswork for employees, which leads to a more comfortable work environment. Similarly, dress codes can make a disparate group of people feel like a team—no one is left out or judged differently solely on the basis of the way they dress. [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 28 ] Dress codes can also make workplace hierarchies friendlier and more work-conducive. A manager who dresses in suits with ties may intimidate employees who wear branded polo shirts and khakis, preventing effective communication. [ 28 ] Further, dress codes mean employees and customers or clients won’t be distracted by individualistic clothing. For example, a customer of Nebraska State Bank & Trust Co. complained to the bank’s president about a branch employee’s outfit of mismatched tunic and leggings, fringed boots, and large earrings. A customer complaint can not only alienate the customer but also distract employees from their tasks and potentially embarrass or shame the employee whose outfit sparked the complaint. [ 29 ] Read More

Con 1 Dress codes reinforce racist standards of beauty and dress. As the National Women’s Law Center summarized, “Black girls face unique dress and hair code burdens. For example, some schools ban styles associated with Black girls and women, like hair wraps. Black girls also face adults’ stereotyped perceptions that they are more sexually provocative because of their race, and thus more deserving of punishment for a low-cut shirt or short skirt.” [ 30 ] Assistant Superintendent and Principal of Evanston Township High School, Marcus Campbell spoke about changing an outdated dress code: “if certain females were not a certain body type, if they had more curves or they had certain features that were developed, they were dress coded over another young lady who may not have the same features but were wearing the exact same items. Our young women of color were dress coded more than our white girls were. So we found it to be racist, we found it to be sexist, we found it to be antiquated. It was not body positive, and there was just trouble all around with our dress code, and we knew we needed to make a change.” [ 31 ] Banning traditionally Black hairstyles goes back at least to tignon laws passed after emancipation, which required Black women to cover their hair with scarves (tignons) so as to not compete with white women. But these rules continue today as Black girls and women aren’t always allowed to wear their hair in braids, locs, or other styles suitable to Black hair texture at school or work. [ 7 ] [ 32 ] Black male students are often “dress coded” at schools for hoodies, low-rise or baggy pants, and do-rags. Black boys were also more likely to be disciplined (suspended, for example) for a dress code violation than non-Black students. [ 33 ] As Dialectic, a company that counsels workplaces, concluded, “Traditional dress codes work to police certain kinds of bodies. They ensure that employees follow the practices of the dominant culture. Under the guise of professionalism, dress codes tend to punish marginalized groups of employees for refusing to conform.” [ 34 ] Read More

Con 2 Uniformly mandated dress codes are seldom uniformly mandated, often discriminating against women and marginalized groups. The average dress code, whether for a school, workplace, public transportation, or other location, includes more rules for how girls and women should dress than how boys and men should dress. [ 35 ] [ 36 ] Girls in school are frequently “dress-coded” for “too short” shorts and skirts, “too thin” tank top straps, leggings, and other clothing that might be a “distraction to boys.” [ 36 ] Fourth-grade teacher ​​Marci Kutzer said these rules send a clear message to girls: “A boy’s education can be compromised by your gender. Please do what you can to neutralize it.” [ 36 ] The problems follow women into the workplace. A leaked training presentation from Ernst & Young coached women to “look healthy and fit” with a “good haircut, manicured nails, well-cut attire that complements your body type,” but not to wear too-short skirts because “sexuality scrambles the mind.” [ 37 ] Dress codes also frequently exclude people outside of the gender binary and/or force them to adhere to the codes for their sex assigned at birth. [ 35 ] [ 38 ] Journalist Li Zhou explained, “Transgender students have been sent home for wearing clothing different than what’s expected of their legal sex, while others have been excluded from yearbooks. Male students, using traditionally female accessories that fell within the bounds of standard dress code rules, and vice versa, have been nonetheless disciplined for their fashion choices.” Similarly, the Ernst & Young training excluded non-binary and gender non-conforming people. [ 35 ] [ 37 ] Read More

Con 3 Dress codes bolster religious and cultural intolerance. Only in 2019 did US Congress change the 1837 rule that banned headwear of any sort, including religious headwear such as kippahs, hijabs, and turbans. [ 39 ] While the United States protects religious expression and cannot ban religious wear as France has banned burqas and hijabs, American dress codes frequently use acceptability standards to less explicitly ban religious garb. [ 9 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] A 5-year-old Native American Texas boy was sent home for a dress code violation because he wore his hair in a long braid according to tribal religious code, which states hair must not be cut except when in mourning. And a Georgia State Representative tried (and failed) to add hijabs, niqabs, and burqas to an existing anti-masking law originally aimed at the Klu Klux Klan (KKK). [ 42 ] [ 43 ] Until sued by Tvli Birdshead, then a high school senior and a member of five Native American tribes, the Latta School District in Oklahoma refused to allow Native American regalia on graduation day, which for Birdshead meant a Chickasaw Nation honor cord, a beaded cap, and a sacred eagle feather. Native American Rights Fund has long battled to protect the cultural and religious rights of Native Americans against discriminatory school dress codes. [ 44 ] [ 45 ] Read More

Discussion Questions

1. Consider the official dress codes in your daily life. How are dress codes implemented in your school, workplace, and/or religious institutions? Do you find these appropriate? Restrictive? Explain your answer(s).

2. Consider the unofficial dress codes in your life. What do your friends think is acceptable for various occasions? What do you wear when visiting a place of worship or to grandma’s house for a special dinner? How do you dress differently when hanging around with friends than when going on a date? Do you find these formal and informal codes appropriate or restrictive? Explain your answer(s).

3. If you have to choose one, would you prefer a uniform policy for school and work, just a dress code, or neither? Explain your answer.

Take Action

1. Consider the pros of dress codes with Bonneville Academy.

2. Analyze students’ rights about school dress codes with the ACLU .

3. Examine the history of rules and laws about clothing and the contemporary repercussions with law professor Richard Thompson Ford.

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives .

More Social Debate Topics

1. Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms? – Proponents say uniforms may increase student safety. Opponents say uniforms restrict expression.

2. Is Cancel Culture (or “Callout Culture”) Good for Society? – Proponents say cancel culture allows people to seek accountability. Opponents say it amounts to online bullying.

3. Are Social Media Sites Good for Our Society? – Proponents say social media spreads information faster than any other media. Opponents say it enables the spread of unreliable information.

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Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

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Do uniforms make schools better?

by: Marian Wilde | Updated: March 1, 2024

Print article

Schools, parents, and students frequently clash over the issue of regulating what students may and may not wear to school. These controversies often pegged to the culture war of the moment touch on everything from gender and sexuality to politics, race, and religion. In 2021, a group of about 50 students in Georgia protested their middle school’s dress code for being discriminatory against BIPOC girls by wearing t-shirts every Friday emblazoned with the words “sexist,” “racist,” and “classist.” In 2022, a fight between students, staff, and police officers broke out at a Pennsylvania high school when hats and hoodies were banned as part of a revision by the school board to the school’s dress code. And in 2023, two Michigan middle schoolers, via their mother, sued their school district after they were banned from wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts.

Are school uniforms the best solution to this contentious debate? If every student is wearing the same outfit, will a host of campus problems be solved? Researchers are divided over how much of an impact — if any — dress policies have on student learning. There are multiple studies with conflicting conclusions, plus books such as 2018’s The Debate About School Uniforms , but the argument wears on, with a list of pros and cons on each side.

Why do some public schools have uniforms?

In the 1980s, public schools were often compared unfavorably to Catholic schools. Noting the perceived benefit that uniforms conferred upon Catholic schools, some public schools decided to adopt a school uniform policy.

President Clinton provided momentum to the school uniform movement when he said in his 1996 State of the Union speech, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”

The pros and cons of school uniforms

According to proponents, school uniforms:.

• Help prevent gangs from forming on campus

• Encourage discipline

• Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes

• Help identify intruders in the school

• Diminish economic and social barriers between students

• Increase a sense of belonging and school pride

• Improve attendance

Opponents contend that school uniforms:

• Violate a student’s right to freedom of expression

• Are simply a Band-Aid on the issue of school violence

• Make students a target for bullies from other schools

• Are a financial burden for poor families

• Are an unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education

• Are difficult to enforce in public schools

Uniforms vs. dress codes

Schools and districts vary widely in how closely they adhere to the concept of uniformity.

What’s a dress code?

Generally, dress codes are more relaxed than uniform policies. Sometimes, however, dress codes are quite strict with requirements that are potentially viewed as biased based on race or gender. In 2020, two Black male students in Texas, cousins with West Indian heritage, were suspended for wearing dreadlocks in supposed violation of the district’s hair and grooming policy, part of the dress code. The elder one, a senior, was told he couldn’t attend prom or graduation until his dreads were trimmed. In 2022, girls on the track team at an Albany, NY high school were sent home for wearing sports bras at practice.

Uniforms are certainly easier for administrators to enforce than dress codes, largely because the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) can be depended upon to protect a student’s “right to express themselves.” The ACLU believes dress codes are often used to, “shame girls, force students to conform to gender stereotypes… punish students who wear political and countercultural messages. Such policies can be used as cover for racial discrimination… Dress codes can also infringe on a student’s religious rights…” To successfully enforce a dress code, insists the ACLU, the school must prove the student’s attire, “is disruptive to school activities.”

The ACLU’s dress code stance is regularly supported by federal courts , like the 2023 lower court ruling in North Carolina that ended a charter school decree that girls couldn’t wear pants to school. ACLU lawyers claimed this violated Title IX because the dress code “discriminated against female students by limiting their ability to fully participate in school activities, such as using the playground.” The U.S. Supreme Court later declined to take up a case challenging the lower court’s ruling.

Check with your school to see what the dress code is, as they can be fairly specific. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, for example, the dress code prohibits :

• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms that convey crude, vulgar, profane, violent, death-oriented, gang-related, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive messages.
• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms advertising tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms identifying a student as a member of a secret or overtly antisocial group or gang or that identifies a student as a member of an organization that professes violence or hatred toward one’s fellow man.
• Visible and permanent tattoos/brands incompatible with the standards set forth herein shall be covered to prohibit their display.
• Excessively large or baggy clothes

What’s a uniform?

School uniforms worldwide can widely range from nondescript to bizarre. (Extreme examples from China, Australia, and the UK on this YouTube video ) Most public school outfits in the USA are quite casual, with a “ common type ” for boys often a polo shirt in a solid color, with pants in khaki, black, or navy blue. A girl’s uniform is often a skirt and a white buttoned-up shirt. Dress shoes are frequently required for both genders.

In the United States, low-income families spend an average of $249 on a child’s school uniform annually, far less than the typical Australian student’s $578. But still, the cost is sometimes viewed as unfair because public education is intended to be free, paid by tax dollars, not “a stress for families on lower incomes.” The ACLU believes that public schools should provide free school uniforms , because the expense is unconstitutional, and it increases wealth inequity.

What research says about school uniforms

In 2006, Virginia Draa, professor at Youngstown State University, reviewed the impact of school uniforms at 64 public high schools that had larger percentages of economically disadvantaged and minority students than other urban schools. Her conclusion surprised her: “I really went into this thinking uniforms don’t make a difference, but I came away seeing that they do… I was absolutely floored.” Her analysis determined that the schools with uniforms improved their students attendance, and graduation rates rose an average almost 11 percent.

In 2022, Ohio State University and University of Pennsylvania researchers reached a contrary opinion in their report titled “ School Uniforms and Students Behavior: Is There a Link? ” Their view was that, in general, evidence that school uniforms improve social skills in the students was “inconclusive.” The solitary praise they provided to uniform-wearing was noting there was “some indication that low-income students in schools that required uniforms demonstrated better school attendance than low-income students in schools that did not.”

What to believe? Jury is still out.

What do students think about uniforms?

A student discussion: pros and cons of uniforms

Editor’s note: This video is part of our high school milestones series about communication skills. The students in this video discuss the pros and cons of school uniforms.

A University of Nevada, Reno, survey of 1,848 middle school students, published in 2022, revealed that 90 percent did not like wearing a uniform to school . Only 30 percent believed the uniforms “might reduce discipline issues, a mere 17 percent thought the uniform helped them focus at school, 34 percent believed their school was safer due to the uniforms and 37 percent said, “I worry less about my appearance” due to the uniform requirement.”

An earlier study, also in Nevada, displayed similar unpopularity with newly instituted uniforms among middle school students. However, when the researchers looked into school discipline and local police records and compared them to the prior year’s data, discipline referrals were down 10 percent, there were 63 percent fewer police log reports, and incidences of graffiti, fights, and gang-related activity were all down.

It’s a big issue

A new trend is the mounting pressure to establish dress codes for teachers. Apparently, the same casual mindset toward revealing outfits is cropping up in the ranks of our teachers.

The debate over uniforms in public schools encompasses many larger issues than simply what children should wear to school. It touches on issues of school improvement, freedom of expression, and hot-button culture wars. It’s no wonder the debate rages on.

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Expert Commentary

School uniforms: Do they really improve student achievement, behavior?

This updated collection of research looks at how mandatory school uniforms impact student achievement, attendance and behavior as well as the presence of gangs in public schools.

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource April 20, 2018

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/education/school-uniforms-research-achievement/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

Decades ago, uniforms were mostly worn by students who went to private or parochial schools. But as local school boards have focused more on improving standardized test scores and campus safety, a growing number have begun requiring school uniforms — typically, a polo shirt of a particular color paired with navy or khaki pants, skirts or shorts. Nearly 22 percent of public schools in the United States required uniforms in 2015-16 — up from almost 12 percent in 1999-2000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Proponents argue that students will pay more attention to their classwork if they aren’t preoccupied with fashion, and that they’ll be better behaved. Meanwhile, school administrators say uniforms help eliminate gang-related styles and logos. They also make it easier to spot a stranger on campus.

Despite their reported benefits, mandatory uniforms are controversial because a lot of parents and students don’t like the idea of forcing children to dress alike, which they say suppresses freedom of expression. Some families complain about the financial burden of purchasing uniforms in addition to their kids’ other clothing. Years ago, parents also complained that it was difficult to find uniforms, but that ceased to be an issue after large chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart began selling them.

As public schools debate the merits of uniforms — some school boards have been bouncing the idea around for years — it’s important for journalists to know what the research says on this topic. School officials do not always consult academic research before they put a plan on the table.

To help journalists ground their reporting and fact-check claims, Journalist’s Resource has rounded up several academic studies worth reviewing. Reporters may also want to examine reports on uniform use from the NCES, which collects and reports data related to school uniforms, dress codes and book bags in public schools.

——————————–

 “School Discipline, School Uniforms and Academic Performance” Baumann, Chris; Krskova, Hana. International Journal of Educational Management , 2016. DOI: 10.1108/IJEM-09-2015-0118.

Summary: This study examines test scores and student behavior in the United States, Canada and 37 other countries to determine whether uniforms affect student discipline. The researchers found that the highest-performing students are the most disciplined. In addition, “for countries where students wear school uniforms, our study found that students listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.”

“Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior” Gentile, Elizabetta; Imberman, Scott A. Journal of Urban Economics , 2012, Vol. 71. doi: 10.1016/j.jue.2011.10.002.

Abstract: “Uniform use in public schools is rising, but we know little about how they affect students. Using a unique dataset from a large urban school district in the southwest United States, we assess how uniforms affect behavior, achievement and other outcomes. Each school in the district determines adoption independently, providing variation over schools and time. By including student and school fixed-effects we find evidence that uniform adoption improves attendance in secondary grades, while in elementary schools they generate large increases in teacher retention.”

“Uniforms in the Middle School: Student Opinions, Discipline Data, and School Police Data” Sanchez, Jafeth E.; Yoxsimer, Andrew; Hill, George C. Journal of School Violence , 2012. DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2012.706873.

Summary: Researchers asked students at an urban middle school in Nevada what they thought of having to wear uniforms. Their public school had adopted a uniform policy after staff members became frustrated with the earlier dress code policy, which resulted in girls wearing revealing clothing and boys wearing shirts with inappropriate messages and images. The study’s main takeaway: The vast majority of students said they dislike uniforms, although some agreed there were benefits. “For example, in reference to gender, more than expected females than males indicated students treated them better with uniforms. Also, fewer females than males got detention for not wearing a uniform or for wearing a uniform inappropriately.”

“Are School Uniforms a Good Fit? Results from the ECLS-K and the NELS” Yeung, Ryan. Educational Policy , 2009, Vol. 23. doi: 10.1177/0895904808330170.

Abstract: “One of the most common proposals put forth for reform of the American system of education is to require school uniforms. Proponents argue that uniforms can make schools safer and also improve school attendance and increase student achievement. Opponents contend that uniforms have not been proven to work and may be an infringement on the freedom of speech of young people. Within an econometric framework, this study examines the effect of school uniforms on student achievement. It tackles methodological challenges through the use of a value-added functional form and the use of multiple data sets. The results do not suggest any significant association between school uniform policies and achievement. Although the results do not definitely support or reject either side of the uniform argument, they do strongly intimate that uniforms are not the solution to all of American education’s ills.”

“Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Use, and Academic Achievement” Brunsma, David L.; Rockquemore, Kerry A. The Journal of Educational Research , 1998, Vol. 92. doi: 10.1080/00220679809597575.

Abstract: “Mandatory uniform policies have been the focus of recent discourse on public school reform. Proponents of such reform measures emphasize the benefits of student uniforms on specific behavioral and academic outcomes. Tenth-grade data from The National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 was used to test empirically the claims made by uniform advocates. The findings indicate that student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems, or attendance. Contrary to current discourse, the authors found a negative effect of uniforms on student academic achievement. Uniform policies may indirectly affect school environment and student outcomes by providing a visible and public symbol of commitment to school improvement and reform.”

“School Uniforms, Academic Achievement, and Uses of Research” Bodine, Ann. The Journal of Educational Research , 2003, Vol. 97. doi: 10.1080/00220670309597509.

Abstract: “School uniforms are being advocated for a range of social, educational, economic, and familial reasons. In 1998, The Journal of Educational Research (The JER) published an article by D. Brunsma and K. Rockquemore that claims that uniforms correlate negatively with academic achievement, but data presented in this article actually show positive correlation between uniforms and achievement for the total sample, and for all but 1 school sector. Examination of structure of argument reveals that the erroneous claim results from misleading use of sector analysis. Simultaneous with The JER article, and on the basis of the same National Education Longitudinal Study: 1988 database, an Educational Testing Service article reported that no correlation exists between uniforms and achievement. The two articles are contrasted in this study. The effect of new communication technology in amplifying political uses of academic research is discussed.”

“Public School Uniforms: Effect on Perceptions of Gang Presence, School Climate, and Student Self-Perceptions” Wade, Kathleen Kiley; Stafford, Mary E. Education and Urban Society , 2003, Vol. 35. doi: 10.1177/0013124503255002.

Abstract: “This study attempts to clarify the relationships between public school uniforms and some of their intended results: student self-worth and student and staff perceptions of gang presence and school climate. The instruments used in the study included a questionnaire on gang presence and identity, the National Association of School Principals Comprehensive Assessment of School Environments, and the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children. Participants consisted of 415 urban public middle school students and 83 teachers. Findings indicate that, although perceptions did not vary for students across uniform policy, teachers from schools with uniform policies perceived lower levels of gang presence. Although the effect size was small, students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies. Student and teacher perceptions of school climate did not vary across uniform policy.”

“The Effect of Uniforms on Nonuniform Apparel Expenditures” Norum, Pamela S.; Weagley, Robert O.; Norton, Marjorie J. Family & Consumer Sciences , 1998. doi: 10.1177/1077727X980263001.

Abstract: “The uniform industry has grown steadily the past 20 years with increased attention from employers trying to create a professional image among workers as well as school administrators considering uniforms to curtail school violence. Although an important part of human dress for centuries, uniforms have received little attention from researchers of the clothing market. This study examines the impact of uniform purchases on household expenditures for selected nonuniform apparel subcategories based on an economic model of conditional demand. Expenditure equations are estimated using the 1990-1991 Consumer Expenditure Survey. The results suggest that, on average, consumers do not substitute uniforms for other apparel purchases. Rather, uniforms and nonuniform apparel appear to be complements in consumers’ purchases, resulting in greater household expenditures on nonuniform apparel. These results are a first step in understanding the economic effect that uniform purchases, mandated by employers, schools, or others, have on household clothing expenditures.”

Looking for more research on student achievement? Check out our write-ups on how teacher salaries , school vouchers and school shootings impact learning.   

About The Author

Denise-Marie Ordway

School Dress Code Debates, Explained

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Are school dress codes a tool for student safety or a restriction on their self-identity? The question has been debated for years.

But more recently, dress codes have come up as an equity issue after reports that Black students, girls, and LGBTQ students across the country are disproportionately affected by school dress codes. Some districts have imposed harsh punishments on those groups of students, including in- or out-of-school suspensions, for violations of dress codes. And a federal Government Accountability Office report recently concluded there’s a lack of model policies to help school districts set dress codes that are fair to everyone.

Here are answers to some common questions about dress codes.

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Pro and Con: Dress Codes

To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether dress codes should be implemented and enforced, go to ProCon.org .

While the most frequent debate about dress codes may be centered around K-12 schools, dress codes impact just about everyone’s daily life. From the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” signs (which exploded in popularity in the 1960s and 70s in reaction to the rise of hippies) to COVID-19 pandemic mask mandates, employer restrictions on tattoos and hairstyles, and clothing regulations on airlines, dress codes are more prevalent than we might think.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the first dress code–humans started wearing clothes around 170,000 years ago–nearly every culture and country throughout history, formally or informally, have had strictures on what to wear and not to wear. These dress codes are common “cultural signifiers,” reflecting social beliefs and cultural values, most often of the social class dominating the culture.  Such codes have been prevalent in Islamic countries since the founding of the religion in the seventh century, and they continue to cause controversy today—are they appropriate regulations for maintaining piety, community, and public decency, or are they demeaning and oppressive, especially for Islamic women?

In the West, people were arrested and imprisoned as early as ​​1565 in England for violating dress codes. The man in question, a servant named Richard Walweyn, was arrested for wearing “a very monsterous and outraygeous great payre of hose” (or trunk hose ) and was imprisoned until he could show he owned other hose “of a decent & lawfull facyon.” Other dress codes of the time reserved expensive garments made of silk, fur, and velvet for nobility only, reinforcing how dress codes have been implemented for purposes of social distinction. Informal dress codes—such as  high-fashion clothes  with logos and the unofficial “ Midtown Uniform ” worn by men working in finance–underscore how often dress codes have been used to mark and maintain visual distinctions between classes and occupations.  Other dress codes have been enacted overtly to police morality, as with the bans on bobbed hair and  flapper dresses  of the 1920s. Still other dress codes are intended to spur an atmosphere of inclusiveness and professionalism or specifically to maintain safety in the workplace.

• Dress codes enforce decorum and a serious, professional atmosphere conducive to success.
• Uniformly mandated dress codes promote safety.
• Dress codes promote inclusiveness and a comfortable, cooperative environment while eliminating individualistic attire that can distract from common goals.
• Dress codes reinforce racist standards of beauty and dress.
• Uniformly mandated dress codes are seldom uniformly mandated, often discriminating against women and marginalized groups.
• Dress codes bolster religious and cultural intolerance.

This article was published on May 6, 2022, at Britannica’s ProCon.org , a nonpartisan issue-information source.

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Op-Ed Contributor

The Battle Over Dress Codes

By Peggy Orenstein

• June 13, 2014

BERKELEY, Calif. — IN the Bay Area, the last week of school is a time to dig out cozy jackets and socks, but this year our natural air-conditioning (that’s “fog” to you) failed, giving us a few sweltering June days.

On one, my daughter, who is in the final throes of fifth grade, came skipping out of class, her gangly legs poking out of her favorite denim short-shorts. “She won’t be able to wear those next year,” another mom commented. “They won’t pass the dress code.” A dress code? In Berkeley? Next they’ll be endorsing Darwinism in Kansas.

It turns out that modern middle school parents from San Francisco to New York have been forced to break out the ruler. Are those inseams too short? How wide are those tank top shoulders? In March, middle-schoolers in Evanston, Ill., picketed a policy against leggings. In May, students at a Utah high school opened their yearbooks to discover digitally raised necklines and sleeves added to female classmates’ shirts.

Girls, particularly those with ample hips or breasts, are almost exclusively singled out, typically told their outfits will “distract boys.” As if young men cannot control themselves in the presence of a spaghetti strap.

The last time classroom attire was this contentious was the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the most high-profile cases centered on boys. According to Jo Paoletti, author of the forthcoming book “ Sex and Unisex : Fashion, Feminism and the Sexual Revolution,” young men with long hair were sometimes attacked by their peers. In an all-too-familiar scenario, it was the victims who were blamed for such assaults, accused of provoking classmates with their “distracting” appearance. While girls who violated dress codes were sent home to change, boys were suspended or expelled. Their parents also disproportionately lawyered up: By 1974, there were 150 court cases involving young men’s hairdos.

Boys run afoul of dress codes when they flout authority: “hippies” defying the establishment, “thugs” in saggy pants. For girls, the issue is seductiveness, and that, too, has become politicized, exposing a new generation gap.

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The Pros and Cons of School Uniforms for Students

The debate over whether students should wear school uniforms continues on. Here are some of the potential benefits and disadvantages of school uniforms.

Student Safety

Focus on education, attendance rates, discipline issues, dress code enforcement, cost for families, impact on self-esteem.

The pros and cons of school uniforms are constantly a source of debate. Some people argue that uniforms have a positive impact on the school environment by promoting confidence and a sense of belonging. Others fear that school uniforms prevent kids from expressing themselves through their clothing choices and discriminate against students who don't fit into the traditional gender binary .

The research on school uniforms is often mixed. While some schools have found uniforms beneficial, other research has found that they have little effect. Some studies have even reached the conclusion that requiring school uniforms can be harmful for some students.

Let's take a closer look at some of the potential benefits and disadvantages of requiring students to wear uniforms at school.

SolStock / Getty Images

Some people think that school uniforms can help make schools safer for kids. When Long Beach, California, required all students in grades K–8 to wear uniforms in the 1990s, reports of assault and battery decreased by 34%. Additionally, assault with a deadly weapon decreased by 50%, fighting incidents declined 51%, and sex offenses dropped by 74%. Possession of weapons dropped by 52%, possession of drugs went down 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%.

Sparks Middle School in Nevada reported a decrease in gang activity after instituting a uniform policy. They also reported a drop in fights, graffiti, property damage, and battery. Overall, there was a 63% drop in police reports.

Other proponents of school uniforms report that it prevents students from concealing weapons under clothing. Some also believe intruders would be recognized faster, making the students and staff safer in the event someone from outside the school community tries to enter the school.

But not all studies have found that uniforms reduce discipline issues. In fact, one peer-reviewed study found that school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 per year in the most violent schools.  The Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management found that fights in middle schools nearly doubled within one year of making uniforms mandatory.

For many students, clothing can be a major source of stress. Not having certain brand names or not wearing fashionable items could lead to feelings of insecurity. 

Some people feel students are better able to concentrate on school when they all wear the same clothing. Researchers in Australia noted that students who wear uniforms had improved discipline and academic performance.

But not all studies have found that uniforms improve grades. In fact, at least one study found that school uniforms had a negative effect on achievement.

Research shows that kids may show up to school more often when they’re wearing uniforms. A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average attendance rate for girls in middle and high school increased by 0.3 to 0.4% after school uniforms became mandatory. Another study also found that attendance rates increased and suspensions decreased once students began wearing uniforms.

Students may also be more likely to show up to school on time when they have to wear uniforms. If they don’t have to spend time choosing what to wear every morning, students are able to get out the door more quickly, which may make for fewer late arrivals.

Proponents of uniforms report that wearing uniforms can improve behavior in students. One school that found this to be true was the John Adams Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When they mandated school uniforms, discipline referrals dropped from 1,565 in the first semester of the previous year to 405.  

An Australian study also concluded that students wearing uniforms were more disciplined and they listened significantly better. Classes were also more likely to start on time.

Not all studies have found this, however. Some research has found that disciplinary issues and bullying didn’t decrease after instituting a mandatory uniform policy.

Many school officials spend a lot of time policing dress codes. Enforcing policies can require a lot of resources as teachers may send kids to the office, and administrators have to determine whether clothing is too baggy, inappropriate, or revealing. School dress codes and how they are enforced are also often problematic, sexist, and discriminatory .

Kids who violate dress codes may spend a lot of time in the office awaiting consequences, or they may receive suspensions for repeated violations. School uniforms can avoid many of these issues, keeping kids in the classroom rather than the front office and preventing staff from wasting time trying to enforce commonly problematic policies.

Parents may spend less money on school clothes when kids wear uniforms. There is less pressure to buy expensive name-brand clothing, and school uniforms might be more affordable.

Opponents of school uniforms, however, say that requiring parents to buy specific articles of clothing goes against the idea that students should be given free education. When public schools force parents to buy uniforms, it places a financial burden on families.

Proponents of uniforms report that they have a positive impact on student self-esteem. Wearing the same clothing as everyone else means that students don’t have to worry about whether their clothing choices will be acceptable to their peers.

But opponents argue that uniforms may have a negative impact on some students’ body image . Research conducted at Arizona State University found that students without uniform policies actually reported higher self-perception scores than students with uniform policies. This may be especially true for nonbinary and trans students who are forced to wear gendered uniforms that reflect the sex they were assigned at birth rather than their gender identity .

Additionally, when all students wear the same clothing, they may be more likely to compare themselves to their peers as clothing fits differently on everyone’s body.

The Problem With Research on School Uniforms

Although there are many studies that examine the potential pros and cons of school uniforms, many of them revealed correlation, rather than causation. Just because grades went up or behavioral problems went down, there’s no way of knowing that the reason for the change was due to uniform policy. There are many other factors that may have influenced these issues.

• School uniforms and student behavior: is there a link? Early Childhood Research Quarterly . 2022.

Reviewing school uniform through a public health lens: evidence about the impacts of school uniform on education and health .  Public Health Rev . 2021.

School Uniforms and Safety . Education and Urban Society . 1996.

College of Education researchers conduct study on impacts of school uniforms . Nevada Today . 2013.

Do school violence policies matter? An empirical analysis of four approaches to reduce school violence .  Southwest J Criminal Justice . 2007.

School discipline, school uniforms and academic performance .  International Journal of Educational Management . 2016.

The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us About American Education: A Symbolic Crusade, by David L. Brunsma .  Journal of Catholic Education . 2007.

Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior . National Bureau of Economic Research . 2011.

School uniforms in urban public high schools . School of Graduate Studies and Research, Youngstown State University . 2005.  

Dress codes and uniforms . Research Roundup: National Association of Elementary School Principals . 2002.

Public school uniforms: effect on perceptions of gang presence, school climate, and student self-perceptions .  Education and Urban Society . 2003.

Related Articles

Top Pro & Con Arguments

Con School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely. The U.S. Supreme Court stated in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” [ 8 ] [ 28 ] In Sweden, a government agency, the School Inspectorate, determined that uniforms were a human rights violation because “dress and appearance should be considered an individual expression, decided by the students themselves.” Clothing choices are “a crucial form of self-expression,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which also states that “allowing students to choose their clothing is an empowering message from the schools that a student is a maturing person who is entitled to the most basic self-determination.” [ 7 ] [ 39 ] Uniforms take away the ability to use clothing as means of expressing support for social causes. Students at Friendly High School in Prince George’s County, MD, were not allowed to wear pink shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 75 students received suspensions for breaking the school’s uniform restrictions. Removing these choices can delay the transition into adulthood. Adults make their own clothing choices and have the freedom to express themselves through their appearance. Denying children and teenagers the opportunity to make those choices may make them ill-prepared for the adult world. Adolescents see clothing choices as a means of identification, and seeking an identity is one of the critical stages of adolescence, according to the late developmental psychologist Erik Erikson. [ 11 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 79 ] [ 80 ] When students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body types, they can suffer embarrassment at school. Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman says that students, especially girls, tend to compare how each other looks in their uniforms: “As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel it allows for a lot of comparison… So if you have a body that’s a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel that they don’t look their best.” A study by researchers at Arizona State University found that “students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies.” Some students also find uniforms less comfortable than their regular clothes, which may not be conducive to learning. [ 21 ] [ 24 ] [ 75 ] Further, school uniforms promote conformity over individuality. Chicago, Illinois, junior high school student Kyler Sumter says: “They decide to teach us about people like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony and Booker T. Washington… We learn about how these people expressed themselves and conquered and we can’t even express ourselves in the hallways.” Troy Shuman, a senior in Harford County, Maryland, said the introduction of a mandatory uniform policy to his school would be “teaching conformity and squelching individual thought. Just think of prisons and gangs. The ultimate socializer to crush rebellion is conformity in appearance. If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?” [ 9 ] [ 60 ] In schools where uniforms are specifically gendered (girls must wear skirts and boys must wear pants), transgender, gender-fluid, and gender-nonconforming students can feel ostracized. Seamus, a 16-year-old transgender boy, stated, “sitting in a blouse and skirt all day made me feel insanely anxious. I wasn’t taken seriously. This is atrocious and damaging to a young person’s mental health; that uniform nearly destroyed me.” Late satirist George Carlin asked, “Don’t these schools do enough damage, making all these children think alike? Now they’re gonna get them to look alike, too?” [ 40 ] [ 86 ] Beyond student preference, parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference. One of the founders of the Wilson County (Louisiana) Parents Coalition, Richard Dashkovitz, states: “It’s time we let the government know that we are fed up with this. Quit dictating to us what my child should wear… [T]he government is intruding into our private lives, roles as parents and the lives of our children.” According to another parents’ rights group, Asserting Parental Rights — It’s Our Duty, mandatory uniform “policies trample parents’ right to raise children without government interference.” [ 10 ] [ 16 ] Read More

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Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

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99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples

Welcome to our list of topic ideas! Here, you will find dress code research questions, titles for dress code essays, and bonus samples. Explore the importance of school uniform, arguments for and against it, and much more with our dress code argumentative essay topics!

🔝 Top 10 Dress Code Titles for Essays

🏆 best dress code topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about dress code, 👍 simple & easy dress code essay titles, ❓ dress code research questions, ✅ most interesting titles for dress code essays.

• How to Dress for Special Events
• Dress Codes and Gender Equality
• Dress Codes in Religious Institutions
• Uniforms in the Hospitality Industry
• Workplace Diversity through Traditional Attire
• Trends in Entertainment Industry Dress Codes
• Individual Expression in Workplace Dress Code
• Impact of School Dress Codes on Student Behavior
• Brand Representation through Sports Dress Codes
• Where Is the Line between Formal and Casual Attire?
• School Dress Codes and Self-Expression Being urged to wear only approved clothes, students are deprived of an opportunity to understand the differences between social groups and the unique problems of their social class.
• Dubai’s Food, Dress Code and Culture Religion is an important in aspect in Dubai because it influences the lifestyle of the people and forms the foundation of their culture.
• A Support for Dress Code Policy Dress codes issues in America have been serious to an extent that students have historically taken school administration to courts because of infringing on individual free expression contained in the 1st and 14th amendments.
• Dress Code and Modesty in the Society In modern cultures, dressing controls and conveys a special message to the society. Dress code and modesty in the society should conform to the moral rules regardless of a person’s religion or culture.
• Workplace Dress Code Rules and Their Failure As it has been mentioned before, it seems to me that a company must offer a certain dress code or, at least, certain boundaries in terms of clothes, for its employees.
• A Dress Code Policy as a Discriminatory Practice A dress code is an organizational policy of a school, university, company, or community organization that prescribes prohibitions and rules for the wearing of clothing.
• Organizational Manual for Dress Code: Attire and Grooming The figure below illustrates the contents of this manual: The organization will create an environment to help the workers and other stakeholders optimize their productivity. However, the employees will still be expected to groom in […]
• Legal Issue: A Working Dress Code The manager, in turn, replied that heels are part of the dress code that complements the image of the waitresses and attracts customers.
• Altman Corporation’s Dress Code Policy Memorandum In line with the recent dress code policies developed by the communication manager, the following previews and revisions have been made for the effective implementation of the policies.
• Altman Corporation Dress Code Policy They are civilian ware and not professional. Underwear should not be visible above the waistline of the clothing.
• Consultant to an Organization: Dress Codes The reason for changing a dress code policy is to ensure that employees dress appropriately to the work place. However, not all employees respond positively to a change in the dress code.
• Dress Code and Social Norm Violations In my opinion, this norm is not appropriate in the modern world due to several reasons: first, people are free to make decisions and consider their interests; second, fashion is a current issue that cannot […]
• Medical Assisting Vocational School: Dress Code First and most obvious, the establishment of the standards in accordance with which the dress code will be altered will have to be considered.
• Dress Code Implementation Into the NBA
• Religious Beliefs and Dress Code Policies in the Workplace
• The Dress Code and Its Effect on the Safety of Students at School
• Arab Women Freedom and the Dress Code
• Restrictions in Business Casual Dress Code for Managers
• Effectiveness of Student Dress Code in American Schools
• Casual Dress Code vs. Business Casual Dress Code
• Increased School Safety and the Dress Code Policy
• School Uniform: Improving the Dress Code
• Dress Code Dilemma: School Education Clothing
• Feminism and the School Dress Code for Girls
• Body Piercing, Tattooing, and the Public School Dress Code
• Discriminatory Dress Codes in Male-Dominated Industries
• Applying the Dress Code Policy
• Business Casual Dress Code: Formal or Informal
• Dress Code Violation and Discrimination
• Jesuit Dress Code and Hair Restrictions
• Business Casual Dress Code of the Workplace
• Uniform and Dress Code Policies: To Provide a Safe and Orderly Environment
• The Debate Around the Dress Code in Schools
• How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes
• Islamic Dress Code and Its Restrictions
• Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar
• Understanding Company Dress Code: Appropriate Work Attire
• Arguments for Reversing the Dress Code for High School
• School Dress Code and Limit Students Freedom of Express
• Nursing Uniforms: Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses
• Establishing Employee Dress Code: Suit up or Ship Out
• Dress Code and Uniforms Code: What Is the Difference in Restrictions?
• What Not to Wear: Avoiding Dress Code Discrimination
• Dress Code for Public Schools: Pros and Cons
• Enforcing the Dress Code Policy for Nurses
• Arguments for and Against School Dress Codes
• Dress Code Arguments for High School
• Anti Dress Code Arguments for Public Schools
• Wearing Dress Code for Female Workplace
• Dress Code Policies for Public Schools: Teachers and Students
• Sexual Harassment, Dress Code, and Attendance Policy
• Business Dress Code and Image of the Company
• School Uniforms, Dress Codes, and Free Expression
• Should School Dress Code Be Enforced?
• Why Should Dress Code Not Be Enforced?
• What Does the Dress Code Be?
• How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes?
• Does Dress Code Prevent Certain Events?
• Does Your Dress Code Address Flip Flop?
• What Are Some Examples of Dress Codes?
• What Is Called the Dress Code?
• What Are the Four Types of Dress Codes?
• What Are the Three Levels of Dress Codes?
• Is It Against the Dress Code to Not Wear a Bra?
• Why Is a Dress Code Necessary?
• What Is a Nice Casual Dress Code?
• What Are the Dress Codes for Work?
• What Is the Formal, Casual Dress Code?
• What Is a Formal Dress Code for Ladies?
• What Is the Most Formal Dress Code?
• What Is the Fanciest Dress Code?
• All Schools Should Have a Student Dress Code?
• How Arab Women’s Freedom Enforced the Dress Code?
• What Is the Difference Between a Casual Dress Code and Business Casual Dress Code?
• What Is Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar?
• Which Is Dress Code for Teachers in Public Schools?
• What Are the Pros and Cons of the Dress Code?
• What Is the Connection Between Dress Code Violation and Discrimination?
• Why Should There Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses?
• The Role of Dress Code in Impression Management
• Do School Uniforms Restrict Students’ Self-Expression?
• How Dress Code Correlates with Gender Identity
• The Link Between Dress Code and Consumerism
• Ways to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Dress Code
• Body Shaming and Size Inclusivity in Dress Codes
• Dress Code Policies and Their Effect on Employee Morale and Productivity
• How Workplace Fashion Reflects and Shapes Societal Perceptions
• From Traditional Attire to Contemporary Fashion: The Evolution of Dress Codes
• Ways to Balance Discipline and Personal Expression at School
• Personal Ethics Titles
• Cultural Identity Research Topics
• Deontology Questions
• Pedagogy Topics
• Sexism Essay Ideas
• Wellness Essay Topics
• Cross-Cultural Management Research Topics
• Safety Essay Ideas
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Essay: Pros and Cons of a Dress Code in Schools

• Essay: Pros and Cons of…

Students mill through school grounds, all dressed in the latest fashions and trends. Although they may not think twice about their clothing, other than how fashionable they are, there is another factor that affects their dress for school, dress codes. Dress codes in North America have come under fire in recent years, amid arguments that raise many possible issues concerning them.

School dress codes have become a large controversy, as 55% of American schools enforce dress codes that are deemed “strict” and “controlling”. Though it is argued that times and our ideals have become more modern and progressive, our dress code policies have certainly not.

For generations, society’s mindset has improved drastically, beginning to wholly support women, people of colour, different shapes, sizes, and everyone in between. However, dress codes at their core have not changed with present times, though they are, on the surface, seen as appropriate, well-meaning, and inclusive.

Dress codes have been shown to cause increases in students grades and school performance averages. Although this is positive for students and schools, there is a cost behind this for parents and guardians. These policies make it much more difficult for both students and parents to buy clothing that children would actually wear, as dress codes are often specific and prohibit most clothing that students are willing to don.

However, the opposite is true as well. Dress code policies are open to interpretation and the final say comes down to school staff and administrators, meaning that students can never be truly sure that they will not be dress coded. On that same note, most clothing that students want to wear clothing that is fashionable would be considered unprofessional anyways. The use of dress codes prepares students for reality and what is expected of them as they age into society.

However, these expectations are not always what needs to be instilled in the mindsets of students, as society can be misogynistic and male-centric, and school clothing policies only perpetuate these beliefs. Dress codes circuitously support sexism, misogyny, and sexual assault directed towards females. School attire policies aid in the preparation of students for future professions. They help ensure that students have experienced clothing restrictions and are knowledgeable on acting according to these policies in any institutions.

However, these same rules that are crafted to help some students often end up discriminating against others. Many dress code policies are guilty of indirectly prohibiting clothing and dress that are symbolic to/are common in certain religions or cultures, thus enraging these groups and straying far away from the intended purpose. Are the benefits of these policies worth more than the costs? Or does the expense on students everywhere outweigh the advantages?

Dress codes are policies enforced in schools in order to prohibit certain clothing items that are deemed inappropriate or offensive. Their intended goal is to keep all students and staff comfortable, and to maintain a positive school climate.

In the 1950’s to 1960’s, positive economic conditions caused a drastic increase in household average income. With this excess income, everyday citizens were beginning to purchase and wear more fashionable clothing, articulating their culture, beliefs, and interests. However, the government was not fond of this new method of self-expression, and eventually began to ban many clothing items.

In the United States of America, dress codes were first established in 1969, in the Tinker v. Des Moines Community School District. A group of high school students had worn black armbands to class, protesting the Vietnam War. This sparked controversy, and became the limit for the community school board. Rules prohibiting certain clothing items were inputted in schools from then on.

More and more schools across the nation and across the world began developing their own clothing bans, which are now collectively referred to as dress codes. Presently, the prohibitions on clothing are not very well received, and students are fighting for more freedom concerning their dress as codes become increasingly specific. However, dress codes do have a number of advantages for not only the school, but the students as well.

Dress codes improve student’s school experience. Studies have shown that students who stress over their appearance are apt to perform worse on cognitive tasks, compared to those that show little to no concern. Attire policies have been shown to increase student’s grades on examinations.

In fact, 46% of TDSB schools state that the purpose of their dress codes is to “support a positive learning environment”. If a student obsesses over their fashion, hair, makeup, and looks, they spend less focus on their academics, clubs, and overall education. With the aid of dress codes, students cease any worry about their looks, as many items cannot be worn anyways.

Students are often bullied because of their clothing, and dress codes help prevent this by limiting the attire that is available for them to wear. Children of lower-income families may not be able to afford popular brands and expensive clothing, which is the main reason why so many students, especially teenagers, are bullied at school. With dress codes banning many items such as ripped jeans and baggy clothes, which are popular styles with name brands everywhere, there are fewer chances for bullying due to attire.

Mental health disorders in students such as depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders are often accelerated by worries over clothing and appearances. Schools enforcing dress codes can improve the school climate. By restricting certain clothing items, students do not feel the need to don showy or revealing attire to belong, as these pieces are prohibited by dress codes.

It would help prevent students from feeling insecure about their bodies and clothing because they wouldn’t be the only ones not dressed in the latest styles and trends. Mental health issues are common in teenagers, meaning that a great deal should be done to prevent them, which includes dress codes.

The policies that dress codes contain make experiences difficult for parents of schoolchildren, and well as students themselves. The rules are impossibly specific. “Skirts and shorts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee” is an incredibly precise policy that is completely unrealistic to measure. Most students don’t have the time to take a ruler to their shorts every morning. It is also inefficient and opens up a multitude of possibilities for students to be punished, which isn’t the aim of dress codes, supposedly.

Parents bear difficulties purchasing clothing for their children, and attire policies cause even more frustration for them. With dress code rules, parents cannot purchase merely any clothing for their children. They also must keep the dress codes in mind and speculate if it follows the policies or not.

In a study of children’s apparel choices, 41% of girls’ clothing in stores marketed towards “tweens”, such as Abercrombie & Fitch Kids, were considered sexual. The more specific the policies, the more irritating and difficult to follow they are for parents. This is time consuming for those who have errands to run, work to do, and a life to live.

The policies have many issues and inconsistencies that make it difficult for students to be positive that they are following the dress code. For example, “the final say in whether a student’s outfit is violating the dress code is subjective”, which is stated by 50% of U.S. schools.

For example, McLouth High School in Kansas, U.S.A. states “shorts and skirts must be as long, or longer than, the longest fingertip. Shorts and skirts that pass this test may still be deemed inappropriate. ” Policies like this make it virtually impossible for students to be completely sureif they are following the dress code, as the end ruling is a teacher or administrators’ opinion. No data or measurements, just a statement that worries students everywhere.

Dress codes are made to keep a professional environment and keep students clean and orderly. Students feel more comfortable in an appropriate environment. If a student was to wear revealing clothing to school, it could make others feel uncomfortable and unhappy. Dress codes prevent the discomfort of students and teachers. Without them, schools would run rampant with clothing enforcing offensive messages, exposing attire, and student displeasure.

Dress codes have the possibility of aiding a positive school reputation. By enforcing dress codes, schools limit the possibly offensive messages that could be delivered by students’ clothing. Schools could be known for having respectful students if they limit the negative messages spread by their pupils, through clothing, actions, or otherwise. Image is what is first seen of the students, and therefore the school, so it is important for the students to possess a clean image.

It is essentially “dressing for success”. Dressing well has the ability to positively affect the morals, attitudes, and work quality of students. Professional dress can lead to confidence. Individuals that are better dressed will often stand taller and project independence. A recent study has revealed that the participants dressed professionally were more likely to think outside of the box and produce creative ideas compared to their poorly dressed colleagues. By schools teaching students how important this is, they position them well for success.

Though dress codes are meant to keep a professional environment, their rules promote sexism and misogyny, even going so far as to encourage rape. Clothing articles that are targeted towards females are often put through dress code policies constantly, much more so than those targeted towards males. 57% of dress code attire bans are towards clothing items marketed to females, such as skirts, leggings, and crop tops, compared to a mere 5% for boys(and 38% to all genders). This only instills the belief that females should be more controlled and have more rules in life than males.

Dress codes and the phrases told to girls to justify the policies often include vocabulary that is demoralizing and blames girls for their actions. The most common words used for dress code policy explanations include “disrupt”, “distract”, “appropriate”, “safe”, “health”, “modest”, and “respect”. Of these words, 76% of dress code policies include the phrase “disrupt” or “distract”, making these two the most common words used to validate the rules.

Often times, they’re used for the 57% of banned clothing marketed towards girls. The use of this vocabulary makes it seem as though a girl should be ashamed of her body, and that female bodies are merely items for males to view and be distracted by. It is unacceptable for these masked discriminations and double standards to slip through the cracks of what is seen as a strong and fair system.

Revealing clothing is frequently banned in school dress codes, however in doing so, it often ends up sexualizing young children, especially girls. Many young girls have their first experience of being shamed for their clothing through school dress codes and at very young ages. It is not appropriate or legal at all for 10 year old girls having to change out of shorts or tank tops because they could be “distracting” to male classmates or, worse, male teachers that are much older than them.

Sexualizing young girls and conditioning others and themselves to believe that they need to change to fit societal views is what guilts women who are victims of sexual harassment and assault, though they should never be held accountable for something of that matter.

Dress codes prepare students for the real world. Many workplaces have dress codes, and having them at schools as well helps students practice this. It teaches students to consider their dress choices in a practical, real sense. Fashion is something that many teenagers are absorbed with, however often in a more shallow sense.

By teaching the need to think broader than just how stylish their clothes are, schools instill this mindset of making pragmatic choices in their students. Schools must always aim to act as a good model for reality, which ensures the future success of their students.

There are often punishments for failure to follow the rules in workplaces. This certainly includes dress codes. For example, if an employee wears ripped jeans to a business-casual office job, they will be “dress coded” by their manager. Further failure to obey rules may even lead to their dismissal.

This is precisely how school dress codes work as well. Failing to follow the dress code would lead to the student being “dress coded” by a teacher or administrator and the punishment could eventually lead up to suspension or expulsion from school. Showing students that there are actual consequences for their decisions teaches them the importance of diligently obeying the rules.

It helps students practice professionalism and how to dress well. How students dress is most other’s first impression, and cleanly dressed individuals give a good impression. It proposes the idea that they are professional and intelligent, while dressing carelessly makes students seem just that- careless.

Clothing with holes and tears, as well as clothing that exposes the midriff are often seen as lazy and unprofessional by employers. By inputting bans on these articles, schools are actively preparing students for a future position in which there is a dress code to be followed.

In their journey to ensure the comfort of everyone at the school, dress codes are often discriminatory and downright offensive to certain groups. African-American students are more likely to be dress coded than any other racial group, especially caucasian peers. Many schools in North America have rules which prohibit natural African-American hair, which is inappropriate and discriminatory towards their culture.

However, there are no rules against any other ethnicity of hair. Studies have shown that girls of colour are much more likely to have their outfits deemed “provocative” and “unladylike” compared to caucasian peers, even when both groups are violating the dress code.

Dress codes often discriminate against people of larger body proportions. Kelsey Anderson, a Missouri teen, wore a long sleeved blouse and long jeans to school one day. She was dress coded. The teacher that dealt with the punishment stated that the reason the teen was dress coded was that “plus size women need to dress accordingly” and that “bustier women need to wear clothing that covers their cleavage”. In other words, she was specifically harassed because she was not considered thin.

Reports show that curvy and busty girls are more likely to be policed for their outfits than thinner and less busty classmates. This blatantly reveals the discrimination towards larger women, and how much harder it is for plus sized women to dress while still obeying the objectivity of dress codes. Many religious practices are disregarded from school dress codes. Muslim women are often penalized for wearing hijabs, which is an important aspect of their beliefs.

Unfortunately, this discrimination follows them outside of the classroom. It affects them in school athletic events as well. Noor Abukuram is an Ohio high schooler, who, in October of 2019, was disqualified from a cross country event in her region. She was sporting a hijab, and though it was formulated especially for athletes, she was eliminated from the event for violating the dress code, after finishing the race. This showcases dress code discrimination against religious wear, despite the fact that it is not offensive or harmful to anyone.

As the bell rings, signifying the start of class, students begin separating from their groups and entering various classrooms. It may seem like an average day, but some students will be dress coded. Some students will have to face embarrassment or suspensions because of it. And a select few may revolt and cause changes in the school dress policies for schools across their board.

Though dress codes have the potential to improve the school climate and student’s school experiences, they often fail to meet these goals. Dress codes place a controlling finger on the student body and causes student frustration. They become fearful of what may happen to them even if they are attempting to follow school dress codes, as failure to follow dress codes can lead to embarrassment at best and expulsion at worst.

This makes their school preparations difficult and more worrisome than they need to be. Dress codes do have a positive aim, which is to keep a professional school climate. Professionalism is important, however, though many schools house professional students, they are also raising ones with sexist mindsets. Dress codes prepare students for reality and their futures. Often, workplaces will have professional dress codes.

Consequences for refusing to follow these policies can even lead to being dismissed from a position. Schools having these same rules ensures that students are aware of the severity of the punishments and how important it is to follow the rules. These same rules that can prepare students so well for reality and their own futures are also largely detrimental to certain groups of students, like students of colour, plus sized students, and religious students.

Dress codes have a variety of pros and cons and it is still controversial on whether the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa. However, reality is that dress codes may not be entirely abolished for some time, and that is something that may have to be dealt with on both sides.

Works Cited

Almasy, Steve, and Natalie Johnson. “Texas Parents Sue School Officials They Say Used Sharpie to Cover Son’s New Haircut.” CNN , Cable News Network, 21 Aug. 2019, 17 Feb. 2020, www.cnn.com/2019/08/20/us/texas-haircut-sharpie-lawsuit/index.html.

Green, Dennis. “It turns out that dressing well can actually make you more successful.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 5 Aug. 2017, 21 Feb. 2020,https://www.businessinsider.com/dressing-for-success-actually-works-2017-7

Heller, Susanna. “A Teen Was Reportedly Told She Violated Her High School’s Dress Code by Being ‘Busty’ – Now She’s Seeking Legal Action.” Insider , Insider, 13 Sept. 2017, 17 Feb. 2020, www.insider.com/teen-called-busty-plus-size-dress-code2017-9.

“Muslim Teen Athlete Disqualified in Ohio Race over Hijab.” BBC News , BBC, 25 Oct. 2019, 17 Feb. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50186728.

Showalter, Sandi Kelly. “The Importance of Dressing Professionally.” Career Trend, Career

Trend, 3 Sept. 2019, 21 Feb. 2020, https://careertrend.com/facts-5136548-importance-dressing-professionally.html

“The Sexualized Messages Dress Codes Are Sending to Students.” The Pudding , n.d, 17 Feb.

2020, www.pudding.cool/2019/02/dress-code-sexualization/.

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19 School Dress Code Pros and Cons

Clothing is one of the primary ways that students express their personalities and ideas when attending school. It can also be a way to show off the wealth of their family, express gang representation, or create inflammatory situations in an educational environment because of the graphics or words shared. That is why many schools in the United States and around the world struggle with the idea of a school dress code.

When there is a strict dress code policy enforced at individual schools or across an entire district, then those actions may interfere directly with the student’s right to self-expression in some countries. Although most governments allow the local school board the authority to create, enforce, or avoid dress code programs, these policies cannot be instituted if they violate student rights.

The first school dress code law in the United States became active in 1969 after Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent School District allowed educational institutions to limit student expression if there are legitimate concerns that such an activity becomes disruptive to the learning environment. This incident involves several high school students wearing dark armbands to school as a planned protest against the Vietnam War.

A school dress code must balance the need to provide a safe educational environment with the freedom of speech granted to students in most developed nations.

List of the Pros of a School Dress Code

1. It allows students to focus on the educational environment instead of their clothing. The goal of a school dress code is to create more equality within the student body. When you have a similar style being worn by everyone, then you can set the tone for the atmosphere in your school, on campus, or throughout the school district. This structure gives each child an opportunity to focus more on their studies because the visual discrepancies in socioeconomic status are much fewer. When students feel safe, then the information presented to them for learning can remain more relevant.

2. It reduces the amount of teasing that occurs in the classroom. When dress codes were implemented in New York City, 68% of parents participating in the program said that their children experienced a general increase in their academic performance. 88% even said that there was reduced teasing between boys and girls because the policy promoted equality throughout the classroom. A vast majority of students also report that they like wearing clothes that are associated with a school dress code, which reduces the amount of tension experienced when trying to get ready for school.

3. It makes it easier for students to get ready for the school day. When there is a clear school dress code available to follow, then there are fewer decisions for students to make when they are getting ready for the day. If a uniform is mandatory, then there are a handful of color options and clothing styles available that can be worn when in the classroom. You save time when shopping for these items as well because there are only a handful of choices available. Although the cost of new clothes can be a significant expense, the amount of time that parents and kids save when shopping for school apparel can help to offset some of that issue.

4. It offers the potential for hand-me-down clothes in some families. When a school district offers a consistent dress code policy to follow, then families can save some money on their apparel needs because the uniform or mandated clothing can pass down from one child to the next. When you add this advantage to the opportunities for donated or low-cost items through the PTA and other local organizations, you can avoid the expense of purchasing new items for everyone each year. There will still be some challenges to face since you’ll be storing more clothes for the year in your closets, but the issues tend to be more organizational than financial for many families.

5. It reduces the number of distractions that are present in the classroom. As children get older, they begin to pay attention to each other more than they do to the curriculum. Clothing choices can make this problem even worse. If the apparel shows off the body, encourages violence, or creates other distractions, then it can impact the performance of every student in the classroom. By creating an effective policy that limits these issues, grades can go up, violence levels can begin to go down, and if there is a lack of branding as part of the school dress code, it can even reduce problems with economic envy.

“A dress code promotes a more serious school atmosphere which emphasizes academics and promotes good behavior,” published Kosher Casual. “Dress codes have proven to increase student achievement by encouraging students to concentrate more on their studies and less on their wardrobe. A de-emphasis on clothing can also save money, as there will be less pressure to keep up with expensive trends.

6. It does not need to be a uniform to create environmental benefits. When you have a school dress code policy in place, then you have several options available to you that do not necessarily include uniforms. The goal with this option is to create consistency while on campus without being too intrusive on the rights of the individual. You want to allow self-expression in healthy, positive ways while encouraging negative viewpoints to be offered in a manner that is appropriate for the environment.

When this advantage occurs, then it can create a sense of community in the school. Kids find it easier to make friends because there are no artificial barriers in place that suggest it isn’t possible. This loyalty extends well beyond the school years, with alumni from the district often coming together with their children to support the learning process.

7. It allows the community to recognize students for their age. Because some schools require a specific uniform to be worn when attending classes, any movement with this apparel on in the community identifies that individual as being in the K-12 system (or whatever grade levels are present in the family’s specific school). This requirement makes it easier to identify who might be underage when purchasing a restricted item, such as cold medicine, alcohol, or tobacco products. Teachers can also use this advantage to pick out which kids are their responsibility because they will all be dressed alike.

Some students will try to get around this issue by wearing clothing under their uniform or packing a bag with alternative apparel. Because both decisions can still be controlled by the school dress code policy, it becomes easier to see who might be trying to break the rules.

8. It can help school administrators identify potential strangers on campus. There were 82 school shooting incidents in 2018, which is the most there have ever been since 1970. Since statistics were first kept in this area in that year, there have been 1,300 total incidents. The next closest year was 2006 when there were 59 incidents. Over 50 kids, teachers, and administrators were killed at their school during 2018 because of this issue. When students must wear specific clothing items, it becomes easier to know who is supposed to be on campus and those who should not be around.

About 50% of the incidents which occur in the United States involve an individual who is not a current student at the school. Knowing who is coming and who is going can help someone stop an incident before it has a chance to start.

9. It is a policy which can save families some money when it includes a uniform. The average cost for a school uniform is about $30 in most markets, with some families seeing some significant local savings. Pants and skirts are usually in the $17 range, while the shirts or tops are about $13 each. For the price of one designer outfit, the average family can purchase three uniform outfits that can be worn during the week. Then a shift in the routine to do a load of laundry during the week before doing it all on the weekend can help to manage the overall expense of this issue.

Families who rely on thrift stores, donations, and gifts for their school clothing will still struggle with the cost of a dress code policy. When funds are tight, it is usually easier to find clothes that match the regulations without paying for expensive brands.

10. It creates a disciplined atmosphere. Students and families must follow a disciplined routine to ensure that they are in compliance with a school’s dress code. By creating this expectation before a child ever steps into the classroom, it becomes easier to apply the lessons learned with this advantage in other areas of their life. Some children find it easier to plan for their future career, work on their homework assignments, and even make new friends because they made the choice to be in compliance with this policy, even if it was something that they didn’t agree with in the first place.

11. It can stop gangs, cliques, or unhealthy social groups from forming. Students of a specific age typically rebel against rules of some type. Since a school dress code seeks to create unity through equality, it can stop unhealthy cliques from forming on campus. When one social group believes they are superior to another one, then the foundation for bullying starts. That is often there are proactive interventions with uniforms or restrictions on clothing items in the first place.

List of the Cons of a School Dress Code

1. It creates another expense that parents must pay, even if they cannot afford the cost. A school dress code can require parents to follow a specific uniform that their children must abide by when on school grounds. Although most policies only place limits on lewd, graphic, vulgar, or suggestive clothing, there are times when a public school district can require a uniform to be worn. When students must dress a specific way using particular clothing items, then the parents (not the school district) bear the responsibility for the expense. Even if there are scholarships, grants, or hand-me-down opportunities available, some households cannot afford this expense.

Catherine Pearlman had this issue happen with her daughter Casey, so her response to an issue with the school’s dress code was that they could go find the clothing themselves. “I’d schedule a few afternoons and weekends for this endeavor,” she wrote. “I can tell you from experiencing that just heading to the mall, Target, and the outlets won’t cut it.

2. It forces households to do laundry much more often. Let’s say that you have a family of six at home and all four children in the household go to school where there is a uniform policy in place. Instead of wearing the school clothes all day, the kids will change when they return home to prevent ruining the items. That means you face double the laundry problems at home each week because of the requirement to follow a school dress code. Since your local district isn’t going to compensate you for this extra utility cost, this disadvantage can offset any cost advantage that households might try to find. Over 40% of your utility expenses can come from this one chore in some communities.

3. It creates the potential for a gender bias. When students have permission to dress the same way no matter what their gender identity or expression may be, then it can create a sense of unity for the classroom. Far too often, the goal of a school dress code is to limit boys to slacks and girls to skirts, which can create conflict with the administrative staff of the school. These traditional garments are not always the preference of this generation. Some girls prefer to wear slacks, while boys would appreciate the benefit of shorts.

If a student is unsure of where they stand on the gender spectrum, then forcing the child to conform to a specific role offers the potential of educational harm for the student in the future. Tori DiPaolo went viral with her yearbook photo in 2017 with the quote she included underneath it: “I’m sorry, did my shoulders distract you from reading this quote?”

4. It won’t eliminate all of the teasing that happens at school. Kids will find a way to differentiate themselves from one another. Even when a school wants clothing items without brand identification on it, most classmates know which families can spend more on items than others. There are the children who receive discounted school lunches, those who always bring a sack lunch, and then those who pay for a hot meal during the day as well. Even the difference in shoe brands can be enough to create enough socioeconomic differences between students to become a teasing issue.

Then there are all of the physical differences that can start teasing and bullying that a school dress code or uniform cannot cover. It might lessen problems in this area, but the policy cannot stop it 100% of the time.

5. It may create a poor reputation for some schools or districts. Students who must wear a specific dress code become a reflection of the reputation of that school. When they cause trouble in their community when wearing a uniform, the school’s colors, or some other item associated with the institution, then it can begin to give the district, administrators, and teachers a poor reputation. Should enough of these incidents occur involving groups of kids or families from the same area, then it can reduce enrollments in future years. This disadvantage occurs frequently when there are school voucher programs, waivers, or transfer opportunities available to families.

This disadvantage can occur because of the actions of the school as well. Kelsey Anderson was reportedly told to leave her classroom because her teacher said that she was “plus size” and “busty,” which was distracting to the other students. Not only is this issue a body shaming concern, the incident could lead to potential legal action.

6. It forces the kids to wear clothing options which are not fashionable. School uniforms create conformity by sacrificing usability. Many of the apparel choices involve institutional branding in some way. They are usually composed of bright colors, often representing the school as well, and made from tough canvas to promote better wear and tear. This design element creates an outcome where the students might not mind wearing the clothing when they go to the classroom, but then they get out of the apparel once they get back home. It is not unusual for kids to split their day into “school clothes” and “after-school clothes,” which can impact how they approach their day.

7. It can cause teasing and bullying outside of the district. If students must wear a uniform or follow a strict dress code policy as part of their learning experience, then it is not unusual for them to experience bullying and teasing when they are out in the community. Some schools, even if they are in the same district, do not follow the same standards or policies when it relates to what the kids can wear to the classroom. You might find more opportunities for unity on school grounds, but head out into the community and the story can be very different.

8. It can be enforced punitively, indiscriminately, or through the bias of an administrator. A seventh-grader was asked to cover up a t-shirt that she wore to school that said, “Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?” Her teacher reportedly claimed that the text was offensive. A high school girl was given an in-school suspension for wearing torn clothing, and when confronted the staff told her mother that “she needed to consider the guys in her class and their hormones when choosing her wardrobe.”

Then there was the high school principal in South Carolina who told students not to wear leggings unless the girls were a size 0 or a size 2. When there is an ambiguous dress code policy in place for a school that is based on personal bias for implementation, then it creates a circumstance where the only people the regulations benefit or those who are enforcing it on the kids.

A Final Thought on the Pros and Cons of a School Dress Code

A school dress code will typically follow common-sense rules that work to maintain the overall learning environment. Shorts might need to go to the knee, while t-shirts shouldn’t have anything vulgar on them – such as swear words or verbiage that could contribute to violence on campus. Some schools will take this idea a step further to create a uniform policy that creates more equality in the classroom.

The only problem with a dress code is that it leads to the policing of students when they arrive at school each day. Administrators monitoring the clothing, and then punish anyone who does not follow it to the letter. There may be benefits to the learning process when there is more equality, but those advantages might wash out when the adults try to enforce the rules aggressively.

The pros and cons of a school dress code work to offer a balance that encourages healthy learning while still offering personal choices whenever possible. With some proactive efforts to resolve the potential disadvantages, most families can manage the issue in positive ways.

Essay on Dress Code

Students are often asked to write an essay on Dress Code in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Dress Code

What is a dress code.

A dress code is a set of rules about what you can wear. Schools, offices, and clubs often have dress codes. They help people look neat and proper for different places. For example, your school might ask you to wear certain colors or types of clothes.

Why Dress Codes Matter

Dress codes are important because they create a sense of unity. When everyone wears similar clothes, it can make people feel like they belong to a group. In jobs, it helps customers know who to ask for help.

Pros and Cons

Having a dress code means everyone knows what to wear without thinking too much. But, some people feel dress codes limit their freedom to express themselves through their clothes.

Dress Code Tips

When you follow a dress code, make sure your clothes are clean and fit well. If you’re not sure what to wear, ask a teacher or a friend. Always try to look your best within the rules.

250 Words Essay on Dress Code

Types of dress codes.

There are many types of dress codes. For example, in school, you might have to wear a uniform. This is a special set of clothes that all students wear. At a party, there might be a fancy dress code, which means you need to wear your best clothes. In offices, the dress code is often formal, which means suits for men and dresses or suits for women.

Dress codes are important because they help people know what is okay to wear. They can make sure that no one’s clothes cause a problem or distract others. In school, a dress code can help students focus on learning instead of what everyone is wearing.

Dress codes have good and bad sides. A good side is that they can make everyone feel equal. A bad side is that sometimes people feel they can’t express themselves with their clothes. It’s important to find a balance so that people can feel comfortable and still follow the rules.

Dress codes are about wearing the right clothes for the right place. They help keep things fair and respectful. It’s good to follow the dress code, but it’s also important to feel good in what you wear.

500 Words Essay on Dress Code

A dress code is a set of rules about what clothes people can wear. Schools, offices, and different events often have dress codes to make sure everyone looks proper and respects the place or event they are at. For example, your school might ask you to wear certain colors or types of clothes so that all students look alike and no one feels left out because of what they wear.

Why Do We Have Dress Codes?

There are many kinds of dress codes. Some are very strict, like a uniform that all students must wear. Others are more relaxed, just asking people to wear smart clothes or avoid certain items like flip-flops or hats. At formal events, you might have to wear a suit or a dress. Each dress code is made to fit the place or event it is for.

Pros of Dress Codes

There are good things about having a dress code. It can make choosing what to wear easier because you know what is expected. It can also make everyone feel like they belong to a group, like their school or company. Dress codes can also teach us about respect and how to dress appropriately for different situations.

Cons of Dress Codes

Following dress codes.

When there is a dress code, it’s important to follow it. If you’re not sure what you can or can’t wear, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher or someone in charge. They can explain the rules to you. Remember, dress codes are not there to make life hard but to make sure everyone is dressed right for the place or event.

Dress codes are all around us and they play a big role in how we dress for different places and events. They have good points, like making everyone feel equal and looking proper, but they can also have downsides if people feel they can’t be themselves. It’s important to understand why dress codes exist and to follow them while also thinking about how they affect everyone. Whether you’re going to school, work, or a special event, knowing about the dress code can help you fit in and feel comfortable.

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Dress Code Essay Examples

The case for school uniforms.

The debate over school uniforms has been ongoing for years, with proponents and opponents presenting their arguments on whether uniforms should be a requirement in educational institutions. In this essay, we will make a persuasive case for the implementation of school uniforms by examining the...

The Battle Over School Dress Codes: a Never-ending Debate

Throughout the years, school dress codes have been a contentious topic among students, parents, and educators. The debate over what students should and shouldn't be allowed to wear in schools has sparked numerous discussions and controversies. This essay aims to explore the different aspects of...

The Dress Code Debate in the Workplace

Workplace attire has been a subject of debate for years, sparking discussions about professionalism, comfort, and personal expression. This argumentative essay delves into the various facets of dress code in the workplace. While some argue that dress codes are essential for maintaining a professional environment,...

The Dress Code Debate in Educational Institutions

The issue of dress codes in educational institutions has been a topic of debate for many years. While proponents argue that dress codes promote discipline, create a conducive learning environment, and teach students about professionalism, opponents claim that they infringe on students' freedom of expression,...

It’s My Body, not Yours: Dress Code Issues

The school’s sexist dress code has an impact on young women today, it sets a burden at such a young age in which affects the way they think and how they feel about their body. Men, however, are not disciplined at all and they do...

Clothing Standards: Benefits of Dress Code in School

Clothing standard is a set of rules to make it simple for any people to wear to work or school. It can likewise assist associations with being certain workers are introducing themselves well in gatherings and communications. Clothing standard is something other than wearing a...

The Significance of the Dress Code at the Workplace

There is an incentive of how generally we dress on different occasions. How you dress at work portrays how you will be perceived and how well your company is organized. It, not all cloth we wear to the workplace. Some rules and regulations guide the...

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