A perk that comes with a public school eduction is the ability to dress freely. While there’s no specific uniform, there are still dress-code do’s and dont’s. Many New Trier students are unaware that there are actual rules in place because they constantly come to school dressed tastefully. Students who wear clothes that are not appropriate for a school environment tend to run into some trouble.

At the beginning of the school year every New Trier student signs a contract called the “Student Acknowledgments of School Policies.” Rule number 13 refers to appropriate dress, beginning with “I understand that the appearance of students should reflect the atmosphere of a learning environment.”

The basis of this policy is to dress tastefully in a school setting and to make sure your clothing, (or lack of), will not be a distraction to others. A further explanation of the dress rules and regulations can be found in the handbook. Even though every student is required to sign this contract, majority of students are still unaware of any specific dress code rules/regulations.

A common opinion amongst students is that often times people who face dress code violations are “coded when they shouldn’t be, and others aren’t when they should” said senior Sarah Mctamney. Many students think the dress code isn’t enforced enough, especially during warmer seasons. As the weather warms up girls tend to try and get away with wearing less and less clothing, which can lead to making other students around them feel uncomfortable. Junior Marissa Grief said, “I don’t think the administration is strict enough about enforcing a dress code because I see girls walking around in crop tops and it’s really gross”.

Both boys and girls advisors are asked to talk with their advisees about appropriate attire. Guys typically come across clothing violations when they wear t-shirts with inappropriate images and slogans. When girls come across dress violations it is typically an issue of exposure.

Sophomore girls advisor chair Julie Smith said, “Since this is a school environment the attire has to be appropriate for school. Things should be appropriate for the educational environment, and when it’s not appropriate we have to talk about it”.

Most of the conversations about appropriate dress happen between teachers or advisors and students. Chemistry teacher, Patricia Carlson said, “students are free to express themselves in the way they want to dress and the attire they choose to feel comfortable in.” But when a student in the classroom is dressed in a way that is distracting to others it is the teacher’s place to step in and set the boundaries for appropriate dress.

Assisstant Principal Scott Williams said that “typically a consequence for violating the dress code would start with a conversation to address the problem.” If it is an excessive problem for a student then the consequences increase.

Although some students do not realize there are actual rules regarding appropriate dress, students who use their best judgement when getting dressed for school can, in most cases, avoid dress code violations.