By Kiana Diamond and Michelle Hernandez

Finding clothing that fits both the school dress code and students’ sense of comfort and confidence has become nearly impossible. Many walk the halls stressed and anxious, worried that they’ll be called out for wearing a spaghetti strap shirt, shorts slightly above the fingertips, or a shirt that reveals a little stomach. 

As kids we’ve all made plans to go shopping at the mall before school starts. We leave with so many memories that will stay with us, but we also leave without clothes that will fit into the dress code standard. 

Nothing matches the frustration you get when you walk into the store looking at shirts realizing that they’re all spaghetti straps or crop tops.

“I’m not trying to go against the dress code, however, I have many tank tops that I need to wear a sweater with but it ends up getting way too hot,” junior Sylvette Khabbaz said.

The problem has only grown as popular trends clash with school restrictions. Tank tops, cropped shirts, and low-rise jeans are all back in style, but the majority of the time, these items are “too short” or have narrower straps than two fingers. Even at places like Target, most of the clothing on display falls out of dress code in some way, forcing students to waste time bouncing between stores.

“I didn’t think I was out of dress code until I was in line to get food and I was pulled aside for my shorts being too short,” senior Lizette Alcala said.

Trendy brands like Hollister thrive by following fashion cycles, not by considering what schools will deem important. 

To be fair, the dress code was put into place to make school a “focused learning environment,” promote a level of professionalism, and ensure student safety. These rules were never meant to stifle individuality, but to keep students on task and provide structure during the school day. 

Still, the impact often feels disproportionate, especially for girls, who face the bulk of the restrictions. The rules make it difficult for students to express themselves through fashion, and the lack of accessible options adds another layer of frustration.

There are clear benefits to having a dress code, but the challenges are just as obvious. If the school truly wants a safe and distraction-free environment, they should invite students into the conversation. By working toward a compromise and updating some rules or relaxing outdated restrictions, students could feel freer to express themselves while following the rules. The end result would be fewer violations, less stress and a school culture where both safety and self-expression matter.