I spent five days wearing outfits that purposefully violated the dress code to report on how quickly I would get called out. Crop tops, leggings, high-waisted shorts and the worst–spaghetti straps. I wore them all. From administrators eyeing me from across the hall and boys gawking at my shoulders, you can take my word when I say it was a heck of an experience for a goody-two-shoes like myself.
Day One: Since it’s only the first day of my social experiment, I decided to play it safe and just wear a pink, blue and black print maxi skirt with a white crop top I bought from Plato’s Closet this past weekend.
By second period I have seen several teenage boys glancing at my stomach and several girls too. I can definitely feel the judgment in some people’s eyes. I walked past about six administrators and none of them mentioned anything about my appearance. I did not expect to be dress-coded and was not.
Day Two: On Tuesday, I threw on a pair of jean shorts that are obviously above mid-thigh and a white v-neck t-shirt that I bought from Target much too long ago. There were some speculations that a teacher was at the top of north hall stairs dress coding people, but I must’ve missed them as they did not dress-code me. I saw one girl give me the, “Oh, you’re going to get dress-coded” look, but that never happened.
Day Three: From the beginning I started this experiment, I knew I had to incorporate leggings into at least one of my outfits. On Wednesday I wore a navy green BillaBong crop top-tank top with, of course, leggings. I didn’t get many stares today, nor did I get dress-coded.
Day Four: Thursdays at KCAL is professional dress day and also picture day was today, so I have to look nice while also being out of dress code. I wore a rosy red sleeveless sun dress I bought from Rue 21 this summer. When I walked down to the auditorium for pictures, I was told by a classmate that we would be forced to retake our photos in more appropriate attire if our shoulders were visible. However, this was clearly just a rumor because I had my picture taken with no problem at all.
Day Five: Friday’s outfit was the most revealing of them all. I was practically dying to get dress-coded by someone; I was desperate. I was wearing light blue high-waisted shorts that were very much above mid-thigh and a navy blue crop top with spaghetti straps. The dress code states, “Shirts must have appropriate coverage of undergarments. Undergarments must be completely covered at all times.” I was clearly breaking this rule. I was also wearing a black David Dobrik “Clickbait” hat, which I was told to take off before the 8:30 bell rang, but the rest of my outfit was not commented on. During lunch I spotted a girl pointing at my outfit while shouting, “That girl is not allowed to be wearing that.” By fifth period no one had dress coded me or even stopped to notice what I was wearing. I passed by a number of administrators in the hallway, who were known for their dress-coding horror stories, who didn’t even give me a glance. By the 3:45 p.m. bell, no one had dress-coded me and I had gone home without punishment.
It surprised me when I came to the conclusion in fifth period on Friday, that I was not going to be dress-coded. For five days straight, I was able to violate the dress code without repercussion. My outfits were revealing and clearly against the policy in the KISD handbook. Is there a reason that I was not penalized for my illegal clothing choices when others have their infractions noticed on a regular basis?
I have seen inconsistency in the enforcement in our dress code over the past years that I have attended TCHS. When asked how our school could improve on our dress-code restrictions, Assistant Principal James Johnson said, “I don’t think we need to over react and be the ‘dress code police’ but to be more aware that we need to be mindful about it.”
Is there a reason I was not punished for my compelling apparel? Was I not confined for my actions because of my history of being a goody-two-shoes? If only I had been dress coded, I may know some of the answers to these questions. Although with the over 3,300 students in the school not every person will get caught with the apprehension that comes with being a teacher and reluctance to dress-code students, and the limited amount of administrators who many feel are the sole enforcer of the confusing policy of dress-code.
Dress code is a case by case basis for students. If the dress code enforcement is going to be tough, then the schools staff should be aware of the students in their view and what they are wearing.
