Walking through the mall, the cutest spring and summer trends are everywhere. Short shorts available in pink, blue, green, and other bright colors line American Eagle’s shelves. The cute, strapless Hollister dresses are adorable with polka dots and ribbons. The stretchy, sequined miniskirts from Express would look perfect paired with newly bought stiletto heels at Macy’s. Being surrounded by all of these adorable outfits when trapped in jeans, boots, and sweaters all winter makes it even more tempting to buy and wear right away to show off to friends. Now that it’s getting warmer, girls will tend to wear trends anytime they get the chance, even at school. Girls disregard the school’s policy on dress code, wearing skin tight skirts or shorts to school; clearly inappropriate.
Greater Latrobe Senior High School students are required to follow a dress code found on page 46 of the handbook. Students are required to dress in a neat, clean, non-offensive, good fashion. Clothing typically worn in the warm summer months or to parties is unacceptable in a learning environment. Students come to school at 7 in the morning to learn for 7 hours. Junior Hannah Jones said, “I almost busted out my shorts this morning but decided not to because I didn’t want to be the only girl in shorts since it might be too early in the season.”
School is basically a work place for students; this is our job so we need to treat it like one by dressing appropriately. Skin-tight skirts that cover only a few inches of your legs should be left at home for the weekend.
The handbook states, “Any form of dress judged to be offensive, not in good taste, or interferes with the educational rights of others will be considered inappropriate for school use.” This includes suggestive or obscene remarks on clothing, tank tops, bare midriffs, tube tops, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, bandanas, etc. You wouldn’t see a lawyer walk into court with a miniskirt and stilettos and expect to be taken seriously because that is their job and right now school is ours.
Judging someone by what they wear is inevitable. Senior Justin Maust says, “It doesn’t matter what a girl is wearing, but mostly who is wearing it.” Clothing is a major aspect of personal expression and someone’s personal style; it represents who they are, and it gets people talking. You are on your way to math class getting ready to take more notes on derivatives; not on your way for a night out in Pittsburgh.
Dressing in short, tight skirts or very revealing shirts every day to school does not portray self- respect and it can be distracting to other students. It’s possible to dress appropriately and still look fashionable while giving off the allusion of self-respect and confidence. Truth is, girls who wear low cut shirts with a Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, do it to show off. Just abstain from wearing this to school for the rest of the students’ sake. Little do these girls know that they are drawing attraction for the wrong reason. Dressing tastefully will attract people for the right reason and will allow them to respect you.
Truth is, buying skirts and shorts to fit the dress code is tough in today’s fashion trends. The handbook states, “The student’s fingertips with arms straight should touch the bottom of the shorts being worn.” The problem for most girls is the difficulty finding shorts that reach this requirement, especially if you are a tall girl with naturally longer arms. Someone with shorter arms could probably get away with the same exact pair of shorts. Avoid this contradiction altogether by wearing a pair of capris or even cuffed jeans with a cute, summery top and a pair of fashionable gladiator sandals. Since the school is air conditioned, you will not be too hot in school if you wear jeans in the spring. A spring dress is another alternative; just make sure it is long enough and match it with a cute cardigan if it is sleeveless. Students who do not follow the dress policy will be sent to the office to be asked to change into more appropriate clothing or will be handed a change of clothes.
Greater Latrobe High School enforces a dress code for the sake of other students in a learning environment. Students have the freedom to choose what brands, styles, and colors of clothing just as long as it is non-disruptive and in good taste. Principal Mr. Krehlik says, “Students not cooperating or clearly not exercising good judgment will be sent home. They will either be asked to call their parents or change into clothes provided by the school. They will be sent home if they are not taking responsibility for their inappropriate dress.” It may be difficult to have to say no to those brand new, cute pair of shorts in the morning when it’s already warm out, but just think, you are saving yourself from a trip to the office or a call home for a change of clothes.
