Brief: Exploring the RHS Dress Code

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Morgan Gallagher

New revisions to the RHS dress code can be seen on posters throughout the school and inside classrooms.

Morgan Gallagher, Staff Writer

Rochester High school’s student handbook states, “The RHS student dress code prohibits the wearing of tank tops, muscle shirts, apparel promoting alcohol, drug or tobacco use, bare midriffs, exposed underwear, and short shorts. Students may be subject to Code of Conduct placement for any violations.”

Though this is the current standard, some may have noticed that a few revisions have been made in the last year. Junior Sarah Lyons comments on the changes.

“I guess that the student handbook dress code makes sense. I really don’t think it’s too much to ask for. It’s pretty easy to follow. But, since they posted those new signs it’s got more strict. I can see where people would start to ask why it’s a rule. Like, no hoods? Does it really matter that much?” Lyons said.

As the dress code has gotten more specific as well as added onto, students seem to show a pattern of apathy towards it.

“Honestly, the fingertip length thing is pretty difficult. I don’t know anywhere that sells shorts that long anymore, it’s impossible. Like, how are we supposed to do that? I think that girls should just not be showing too much, not having shorts to their fingertips,” Lyons said.

Rules outlining exactly how thick your tank top straps must be or how far your shorts must cover have evolved into students’ knowledge. Emily Miller, a freshman at Dakota High School, comments on her own dress code.

“Our rules don’t allow us to wear jeans with any holes in them. There’s also a rule about shoulders and covering them up,” Miller said.

Of course, with every student expressing themselves differently, dress coding can be a touchy subject. It’s becoming a more explored issue on whether or not dress codes crack down an unfair amount on girls rather than boys, but it also must be taken into consideration on what truly is too much.

“I think it just depends on what you’re comfortable wearing. I wouldn’t want to show too much, I wouldn’t like it. Some girls are different, but I still think that we maybe shouldn’t be so specific on what we’re allowed to put on our own bodies. As long as it’s not extreme and follows rules pretty well,” Lyons said.