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Home » Family » Parenting Tips » New Trend: Schools Instituting Dress Codes for Parents

April 24, 2019 · Updated December 2, 2019 · 6 Comments

New Trend: Schools Instituting Dress Codes for Parents

"Soccer Mom Style" and Fashion Tips for Moms· Parenting Tips

Inside: More and more schools are enforcing dress codes for parents, but is it necessary?

Imagine going to your child’s school to pick up your child, only to be turned away…because YOU are breaking the dress code.

More and more schools are enforcing dress codes for parents, but is it necessary?

School dress codes are common for students, but there is a new trend of schools creating dress codes for parents too, including a high school in my area.

No More Pajamas Pants

Parents at James Madison High School in Houston, Texas will no longer be allowed on campus if they’re wearing one of the now-banned clothing items.

In a written statement, Principal Carlotta Brown explained that the school wants to ensure that students learn the “appropriate attire they are supposed to wear when entering a building, going somewhere, applying for a job, or visiting someone outside of a home setting.”

Below are the types of clothing that will not be permitted on the James Madison High School campus:

  • Shower caps or satin hats
  • Hair rollers
  • Pajamas and house shoes
  • Jeans that are excessively torn
  • Figure-hugging leggings
  • Low-cut tops
  • Sagging pants
  • Men wearing undershirts only
  • Short shorts (aka “Daisy Dukes”)
  • Short dresses or skirts

As expected, reaction to the new parent dress code is mixed. Some called the measure “crazy,” while others applauded it as “long overdue.”

James Madison High School is not the first to take this type of action. Similar dress codes have also been proposed in schools in Florida and Tennessee.

It seems to be a growing trend — but is it necessary?

Why Schools Are Moving Towards Dress Codes for Parents

To put it simply, if the clothing that parents wear wasn’t causing any issues, there probably wouldn’t be any need for a dress code.

The fact that multiple schools and districts throughout the country are looking into dress codes for parents shows that there is a trend of wearing clothes that administrators feel is inappropriate.

Tennessee lawmaker Antonio Parkinson sponsored the parental dress code bill in that state, though the measure did not pass. Parkinson explains why he feels so strongly, saying: “What could be a higher priority than bringing your child to school? You wouldn’t go to a date like that.”

But is it the school’s business what parents wear?

Not gonna lie…there are definitely times where either my husband or I have been in a hurry and dropped off our daughters to school wearing sweatpants.

However, under many of the active or proposed parent dress codes, that would likely be a no-no.

Proponents of dress codes for parents say that they set a positive example for students. They question: how are students going to learn professional dress if their parents are schlepping around in pajamas?

I’m totally on board with making sure that everyone on school campus is decently covered. You won’t see me complaining if booty shorts or crop tops are outlawed for parents.

However, I’m not going to judge another parent if they drop off or pick up their kids wearing yoga pants or sweatpants. That’s what I wear to clean my house, exercise, or even run errands and sometimes there’s not time to change if I want to pick our girls up on time.

So sweatpants it is! Punctuality is important too, after all!

What Do YOU Think About Dress Codes for Parents?

The subject of dress codes for parents definitely gets the conversation started, with a lot of good points on both sides.

I’d love to hear what you think! Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below – just be sure to keep the discussion respectful.

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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Comments

  1. Kylee says

    April 25, 2019 at 10:50 am

    Omg, while I don’t show up to pick up in pajamas, I sure don’t need the extra pressure of worrying about my clothing!

    Drop off, I am dressed and appropriately covered. If they come up with hair or makeup requirements, I’m hosed!!!

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      April 25, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      Oh my gosh…I almost never wear makeup LOL – that would be TOO far for me!

      Reply
  2. Ingrid says

    September 16, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    I think it is only appropriate that parents follow the same dress code as their children while on the school property. I still remember
    fifty years ago when I was in elementary school, a mother brought her children to school wearing only her slip. Well, the car broke down right there at the unloading dock. That was before cell phones, and here came the undressed mother into school for help. I never forgot it, and I’m sure neither the mom nor her children have either. As a part time private school nurse with a quite strict dress code, I do realize that it is not always convenient , but I follow their dress code out of respect,

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      September 23, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      Definitely a good point! There are days I wear sweatpants to the drop-off line, but I always keep in mind what would happen if I broke down – for that very reason! In the days before cell phones, my parents always told me to dress appropriately in case you had to walk somewhere for help. We lived somewhere where it got cold in winter, so mainly it meant wearing good shoes and having a coat handy.

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    January 27, 2020 at 7:26 am

    I don’t see why what I wear should matter what I wear as long as you are appropriately covered.. I can understand the short shorts and inappropriate shirts.. Just make sure you are covered.

    Reply
  4. Patty says

    September 8, 2022 at 3:20 pm

    I think a dress code for parents is absurd. I feel that it comes from women complaining about the younger moms and maybe because those woman are jealous their husbands go pick up their kids so they complain about how other women are dressed or how the clothes might fit them. I am not about to change my style just to take the kids to school, it’s ridiculous.

    Reply

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