Graphic T-Shirts, leggings, skinny jeans, V-necks, bare-midriff, short shorts – you name it, we can wear it. Here at Edwardsville High School, we students are granted a very liberal dress code. And we are lucky for it.
“I don’t see a problem with it,” Dr. Cramsey said when addressing student fears over dress code changes. “Overall we do a good job upholding the dress code.” While other districts in the area have forced their students into certain colors and outfits, ours has stayed decidedly free and independent.
This policy lends itself to a full closet of student expression – allowing students to display their opinions or simply their fashion sense. Having hallways with spectrum of colors, styles, and impressions makes for not just a happier student body, but for a more diverse school as well.
While Dr. Cramsey is correct, we do a good job overall – there are several outfits that simply should not make it out of your house. There needs to be some level of self-respect when it comes to planning your outfit for the day. Honey, I don’t care if your friends tell you that it’s cute when your butt hangs out of your shorts or skirts – it’s not. You’re 13 years old, and I’m disturbed.
Or when you’ve asked those few inches of nylon and spandex to cover and conceal your whole backside, yet by some measure that pair of neon underwear manages to show through. You need to change. I’m sure you’re very excited about them. You probably got them on some incredible sale at the mall this weekend, but hun, I don’t need to see them when I’m on my way to 6th hour.
And “brah” I know you’re awfully proud of those American Eagle boxers that read, “All hands on deck,” but lunch is not the time for your personal fashion show. Pull up your pants. Save the sagging for the park and the personal declarations for Snapchat.
All I ask is that you give yourself a good once-over in the mirror before you leave. I’m sure it’s a new concept for you to look at yourself in the mirror, but try it, and ask yourself, “ Can you see my butt? Can you see my underwear?” If the answer is yes or even maybe, then perhaps you should change.
I promise you that I’m not depriving you of any personal freedoms when I ask that your butt and boxers stay covered. You’re probably thinking, “Wow, this guy is a jerk. He’s trying to tell me how to dress.” To which there’s a simple answer: yes. Yes, I am trying – begging for you to show some discretion. There’s a line between expression and being ridiculous, and believe it or not – nudity just happens to cross it. If there is an issue with my request, all I ask then is that you promptly purchase me a blindfold so that I don’t have to look at it.
Sincerely, a fellow student.
