Dress Codes - Good or Bad?

The school I work at has a new push to enforce the dress code. It mandates some overly stringent rules:

• Shirts must be tucked in
  
• Pants must be worn at the natural waist
  
• No flip-flops
  
• No hats

Which, of course, are an INCREDIBLE violation of human rights! Call Amnesty International!

OK, I'm a little sarcastic today. But, I just sat in a meeting about the dress code, and, from my perspective, it's a very reasonable set of rules. But some of the teachers were up in arms. They said that they would have to spend too much time enforcing it (come on, maybe 10 minutes the first day, less thereafter). They claimed it would take away from time they needed to prepare for the End of Course Tests (mandated by the state). After a few teachers voiced their opinions, I noticed something - most of the teachers who were anti-dress code enforcement weren't the snappiest dressers on the faculty.

I've had to abide by a dress code before. The teachers had to follow one, as well as the kids. It was not a problem. I got used to wearing dress shoes instead of athletic shoes. Other than that, my wardrobe needed little polishing. But, I used to work for businesses, and there, I assure you, I had to dress according to the dictates of my employers.

Many teachers began working just as the custom of dressing up to go to work was ending. Many of them got used to dressing very casually. I've known teachers (yes, certified teachers) to wear:

• rubber flip-flops
  
• T-shirts that were clearly too small - not covering the no-longer flat tummy
  
• dirty, torn jeans
  
• house slippers - not for a temporary foot injury, but regularly
  
• stretch leggings (not a pretty sight on a size 16+)
  
• tired flannel shirts
  
• mini-skirts and low-cut shirts (think Boston Public clothes on a less-than perfect body)
  
• and, of course, the ubiquitous denim shirt and pants

I realize that a hot climate might mean dressing for comfort some days. That's a good time for the polo shirt and cotton pants. Maybe even sandals.

But not flip-flops.