The ripped jeans rule needs to be changed (2024)

It is unfair to punish students for holes in their jeans when those same students are allowed to wear more revealing shorts and skirts.

Frida Ramirez, Staff Reporter|October 3, 2016

Students at MacArthur are allowed to wear shorts and skirts three inches above the knee, but I do not understand why prohibiting torn jeans is such an emphasized rule when it is not as revealing as wearing short skirts and shorts. This rule needs to be rewritten.

As the rulecurrently standsin the MacArthur Student Handbook on page 10 under the 3.0 general guidelines for school attire, itreads, “Clothing must be free from tears,rips, holes etc…”

As a student, I believe that torn jeans are not that big of a deal. However, Assistant Principal Ms. Jamie Bates makes a point when she said, “We are at school for business and not for a fashion show.”

Bates also said that school is for learning, and torn jeans could cause a distraction because students pull on the strings of the hole and make it even bigger. “This is a rule here because we want to provide a college going culture for students and we want them to dress for success,” said Bates.

I believe this rule is unnecessary because the students who get caught with wearing torn jeans are given a dress code for the holes, not for distracting behavior.

In order to reduce that number of dress code infractions, the school can change the rule to only having a hole two inches above and below the knee, and holes cannot be where the back pockets are. Obviously, it would be inappropriate for students to show their undergarments. Holes do not need to be revealing.

Torn jeans are not as revealing as skirts and shorts. Holes often are found in the front and on the knees, which we already have to reveal during PE every day. As Bates had stated before, torn jeans are trendy. Sometimes people even buy jeans with holes in them. But what if the hole was not put there purposefully?

Anybody could fall and tear their jeans on the cement. Students should not be punished for accidentally falling.

In addition, students should only receive dress codes or a detention for playing and/or tugging on the tears, if it is as distracting as Bates said. This is a behavior problem since students should not tug on each other’s clothes anyway!

The solution is simple: the torn jeans rule needs to be changed to be fair.

The ripped jeans rule needs to be changed (2024)

FAQs

Why are we not allowed to wear ripped jeans in school? ›

Bates also said that school is for learning, and torn jeans could cause a distraction because students pull on the strings of the hole and make it even bigger.

Why should the school dress code be changed? ›

Despite how common they are, school dress codes and grooming policies often reflect and reinforce outdated and sexist stereotypes, and may be disproportionately enforced against students who are more likely to be policed or perceived as deviant by school officials.

At what age should you stop wearing ripped jeans? ›

You don't have to ever stop wearing ripped jeans. You can wear ripped jeans over 50, ripped jeans over 60, and even ripped jeans over 70 – you just need to be aware of the number of rips. Make sure you look appropriate for your age and that you're not trying to look 20 or 30 years young!

What is the logic behind ripped jeans? ›

The cuts and the incisions over the jeans were made as mark of anger towards society. This came to be seen as political movement. Madonna among other celebrities popularised the trend, and soon fans started following the trend. Hence, a political expression of anger and protest turned into a fashion trend.

What is inappropriate clothing for school? ›

Clothing that is controversial or degrades any culture, gender, religion, or ethnic values are not acceptable. Clothing that does not fit, that is excessively tight, loose, or revealing will not be allowed. Note: Any class time missed due to dress code violations will be unexcused.

Are ripped jeans allowed at Bath and Body Works? ›

What is the dress code? Jeans... no holes and not distressed. White shirt- long to short sleeved.

Do dress codes improve behavior? ›

Students feel less sense of belonging when uniforms are required. Despite the belief of many parents and teachers, school uniforms don't seem to have any effect on young students' behavior or attendance overall, a new national study found.

Why dress code should be less strict? ›

Schools that enforce strict dress codes have statistically significant higher rates of discipline that remove students from the classroom, the report said. Additionally, schools that enforce strict dress codes predominantly enroll Black and Hispanic students.

Do dress codes make schools safer? ›

School uniforms may decrease violence and theft, prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school, promote student discipline, help parents and students resist peer pressure, help students concentrate on their school work, and enable school officials to recognize school intruders.

Should a 70 year old wear jeans? ›

En español | EAre you ever too old to wear jeans? That question has been popping up on social media lately, so let's shout out a firm "No!" Choose jeans with the right fit, fabric, wash and proportions for your body, and then wear them in a contemporary way that suits your style and preferences.

Can a 70 year old woman wear jeans? ›

She's also right on board to proclaim high and wide that we are never too old to wear jeans! For a casual, everyday look go for medium-colored jeans and pair them with matching accessories. Darker denim can be worn to semi-formal events by pairing them with elegant and chic items.

Are ripped jeans out of style 2022? ›

Yes, ripped jeans are still on trend for 2022! If you're wondering if you're too old to wear ripped jeans, ask yourself this: how do you FEEL when you wear ripped denim? If the answer is good and confident then, by all means, ROCK em!

Who started the ripped jeans trend? ›

The Resurgence

In the US, ripped jeans have been a favourite among musicians, right from Iggy Pop — who claims to be the one to start the trend in the US — to Curt Cobain and The Ramones.

What does ripped jeans say about you? ›

Ripped jeans tell everyone you're laid-back, cool, and casual, all without having to say anything at all. They say you're always ready for the next adventure and down for anything that comes your way.

Is it unprofessional to wear ripped jeans? ›

You don't want to be seen as unprofessional and too relaxed. If you work in a more relaxed environment, where people don't have to wear suits every day, then you can probably get away with wearing ripped jeans. But if you're not sure, ask your boss, manager, colleagues, or HR for their opinion first.

Do school dress codes sexualize girls? ›

Schools across the United States have dress codes that sexualize and objectify girls, allowing adults to police girls' bodies. Rather than having two seperate dress codes for boys and girls, there should be one universal dress code that lets kids express themselves and feel confident in what they're wearing.

What is sexualized clothing? ›

Sexualizing clothing reveals or emphasizes a sexualized body part, has characteristics associated with sexiness, and/or carries sexually suggestive writing.

Can you get dress coded for not wearing a bra? ›

Do you have to wear a bra to work? As with many legal questions in the U.S., the answer is yes and no, legal experts say. Yes, your employer can make you conform to a dress code. At work, clothes are not just clothes ― they send status signals about what kind of workplace your employer wants to be.

Is 30 too old for ripped jeans? ›

The older you get, the more refined and classic the look needs to become. At 30, you can still wear the ripped jeans with a trendy little top and funky shoes, but by 50, replace it with a classic tee and simple strappy sandals.

Can you wear ripped jeans to fine dining? ›

Avoid wearing t-shirts, ripped jeans, shorts, and slippers in a casually elegant restaurant. Wear something more formal, but not to the extent of wearing a gown or suit. Casual elegance is commonly followed in upscale restaurants, parties, and country clubs.

What to wear if jeans are not allowed? ›

Often times when people hear “no jeans”, their minds jump straight to skirts and dresses. Sure, when the weather cools down, skirts and dresses can easily be worn without freezing to death. However, skirts are not the only non-denim legwear option! You can stay warm in leggings, joggers, cargos, tights, trousers…

Does dress code affect mental health? ›

In sum, dress codes have discriminatory workings, can contribute to mental health issues and, limit self-expression and freedom – especially important to students wanting to express or explore their gender identity.

Why do girls get dress coded more? ›

Who Gets Dress-Coded More: Girls or Boys? As cited, girls get dress coded over 5x as often as boys during school. It is common for girls to express their personalities through their clothing. Schools place many restrictions on the way girls dress because they believe that girls' clothing can distract male students.

Do uniforms stop bullying? ›

School uniforms were not linked to any differences in bullying or social anxiety in the children. But those who had to wear uniforms reported lower levels of school belonging than did those who attended schools with no uniform requirements.

Why should dress codes be more strict? ›

1) A dress code promotes a more serious school atmosphere which emphasizes academics and promotes good behavior. 2) Dress codes have proven to increase student achievement by encouraging students to concentrate more on their studies and less on their wardrobe.

Do dress codes lower self esteem? ›

Telling someone that they shouldn't show a certain amount of skin or wear something can lead them to feel insecure or uncomfortable with their own bodies, and they shouldn't have to feel bad because of someone else's opinion.

Are dress codes stricter for girls? ›

School's dress codes are often much more strict for girls than they are for the boys, and they arguably put blame on girls by indicating that their clothing leads to distractions for boys. Dress codes send the message to teenage girls that their bodies are a problem and, therefore, need to be covered or hidden.

Are you allowed to wear ripped jeans in high school? ›

Students may wear:

Sweatpants, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants. Midriff-baring shirts. Pajamas. Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed.

Can students wear ripped jeans? ›

Some teachers are more lenient about ripped jeans than others, but the fact of the matter is that if the rips are around thigh area and are very large holes they will get dress coded. All in all, the school dress code should be changed where it is reasonable for everyone.

Is it OK to wear ripped jeans? ›

Wear those ripped jeans to your heart's desire. Just make sure you still look somewhat professional. There are plenty of ripped jeans out there that still look good enough for work, including those with holes that don't have a lot of threads hanging out, those with smaller holes, or darker jeans with a few rips.

Why do schools not allow crop tops? ›

The justification for this rule on crop tops is that they are potentially distracting, and the school is trying to prepare students for professional settings.

Can you wear ripped jeans in 2022? ›

RIPPED JEANS:

Yes, ripped jeans are still on trend for 2022! If you're wondering if you're too old to wear ripped jeans, ask yourself this: how do you FEEL when you wear ripped denim? If the answer is good and confident then, by all means, ROCK em!

Are ripped jeans casual dress code? ›

But you might be wondering, are ripped jeans appropriate for business casual looks? In a word, no. Distressed jeans are too casual and don't look polished enough for work.

Are jeans inappropriate for work? ›

Jeans are usually considered business casual, with some exceptions. Business casual jeans should be clean and in good condition, free of any tears, fading or fraying. Avoid bright-colored jeans or styles that have flashy details, in favor of classic styles that you can pair with accessories or layers as needed.

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