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Dress codes are a topic of conversation many past and current students can talk about. How are dress codes helpful for students, and how is it helpful that Los Al doesn’t have one?

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Dress codes are known to be a touchy subject in schools. It has been news to many students, including myself, that Los Alamitos High School no longer has a dress code. In the majority of middle schools and high schools, dress codes are typically strictly enforced. Dress codes are present for various reasons, but do these outweigh the reasons why students should wear what they want? Los Al now allows Griffins to wear and dress however they want as long as it isn’t inappropriate. Is this proving to be beneficial for students? 

“Cover your shoulders!” and “Pull down your shirt!” are both phrases my past teachers would say to me. I would listen to their warnings, but I always walked away feeling sad. Was what I was wearing wrong? I never knew spaghetti straps were considered unfitting or ill-suited. I never understood why students couldn’t express themselves under reasonable terms. I never thought that my shoulders would be deemed inappropriate. A lot of our identity as teenagers is fashion. 

“I feel that fashion is a good way to express yourself,” said Riley Mitchell, a freshman. “If there were a dress code, it would just feel ridiculous.”

Los Al allowing students to express themselves through their clothing is great for students. Many high schools don’t fully allow students to wear what they want. Girls in clothing such as tank tops, tube tops, and sweatshirts have walked the halls at Los Al, but in other schools, this could be seen as an issue. Shouldn’t students be able to express themselves as long as an outfit is sensible?

“At my school, they don’t let us wear tank tops, tub tops, short shorts, or open-toed shoes,” said Ariya Malarich, a student at a Long Beach high school. 

Dress codes are different depending on the school; some schools have uniforms for their students. However, not every student finds this helpful.

“When I was in high school, I had to wear uniforms, and I really didn’t like it,” said a Los Al substitute teacher, who asked to remain anonymous. “I think it gives students the freedom of expression. Then they can focus on more academic stuff than a dress code.”

Clothing is a huge part of my life and for many other people. I’m glad that I can wear what I want without worrying about wearing a tank top because my shoulders are showing or my teachers will not like what I wear today. 

Students at Los Al can dress however they want and express themselves how they would like. It is beneficial to our students that we have a say in something other people can’t. In this way, Los Al’s lack of a dress code has generally proved to be a positive shift for students.