School dress codes can be annoying when picking outfits, but it is important that students appear professional because Saint Stephen’s is a college preparatory school. Since the global pandemic, many schools, including SSES, have shifted a lot of their focus to student safety rather than addressing issues with out-of-dress code students. Things are slowly changing back to normal, though, including the strictness and attention to the dress code. 

Over the summer, the dress code we all know and love had some changes that definitely need some getting used to. Dress codes are notorious for being more specific in regard to women’s wear, and the new changes are no different. The ladies of the Saint Stephen’s community are having trouble styling the new code, and I’m here to help. Let’s look over how the dress code has changed this year and how to look good while wearing threads that fit within it.

For pants, the dress code requires girls to wear “hemmed pants, shorts, or skirts,” with the shorts and skirts falling “no more than four inches above the top of the kneecap” when standing. The dress code also states that “sweatpants, warm-up suits, tennis skirts, athletic shorts, yoga pants, and other athletic gear are unacceptable” along with “leggings, footless tights, and skin-tight bottoms.”

Though this part of the dress code has been unchanged for a while, in previous years, many girls have gotten away with consistently wearing pants like leggings and sweatpants. With the intensified strictness of the policy this year, no one is getting away with that anymore, and many lady Falcons feel at a loss when picking out what pants to wear in the morning. But fear not, there are still ways to be comfortable and look cute while staying within bounds. 

Jeans are definitely the most common girl’s choice for pants in high school. However, wearing the same, few, plainly-colored jeans every day gets boring. Jeans can also be more stylish and exciting with designs. Just a quick trip to the mall or an online shopping site can show so many different colors and designs there are out there that can change a boring pair of jeans and give an edge to your look. Even if you don’t want to buy new jeans, with just some yarn and a sewing kit, you can make your original designs match your unique style.

If you still want to add more style or comfort to your choice of pants, I personally think more girls in the high school should take advantage of the inclusion of skirts. At the appropriate length of no more than 4 inches above the knee, while standing, you can style any color or type of skirt to match your outfit. The length requirements may be holding women back and may explain the lack of skirts worn in the upper school school, but skirts can be cute without being short. Long skirts can be styled to look professional and amazing, and if you have worn them before, you know how comfortable they can make your outfit.  

Now that we have new ways to wear cute and comfortable bottoms in the dress code, let’s look at how approved shirts can complement the outfit. According to the dress code, girls are allowed to wear “Polo, oxford-style, or turtleneck shirts of an appropriate size and fit” as long as they are “of sufficient length to be tucked into pants, shorts, or a skirt.” These are reasonable requirements to look professional, but many students are uncomfortable in these shirts and/or can’t find stylish tops that fit the requirements. So let’s see how girls can stay within the dress code while wearing a cute and comfortable shirt.

Wearing a collared shirt can feel stiff and uncomfortable, especially when moving around and working so much throughout the school day. But you don’t have to wear a collar to stay in dress code. Though turtlenecks are more winter clothing and they’re notorious for being hot to wear in Florida, the faculty has confirmed that mock turtlenecks fall within  the requirements. For those of you who don’t know, mock turtlenecks are turtlenecks that have a shorter top that doesn’t cover up your whole neck. With cooler and quality material, mock turtlenecks can be comfortable to wear any day of the year.

If you’re looking for more ways to style dress code shirts with cute pants, there are ways it can be done. I always had trouble shopping for collared shirts that were more than a basic polo until about two years ago, when collars came into style. At first, I was excited to see them until I realized most of them were way too short to be tucked into jeans. If you also have this problem, there is no need to worry because there are ways to make it work. With some high-rise jeans and a belt, most shirts are tuckable. With this trick, your pants can cover more of your stomach so your shirt doesn’t have to! I personally always add a belt to the look for style and to make sure the pants stay high enough to cover my stomach. Knowing this, you now have so many more options of shirts that are stylish and cute from your favorite stores.

And of course, no outfit is complete without a cool pair of shoes. There has been some recent student backlash with the addition to the code of not being able to wear “slippers/sliders/crocs/flipflops/Birkenstocks” to school. Birkenstocks and Crocs have always been a student favorite, and many were outraged when they were banned. Though these brands are popular and stylish, there are countless other types of shoes, both cute and comfortable, that can be worn on campus. Sandals are everywhere, and as long as you stay away from slides and flip-flops, you can wear whatever matches your style. And, if you’re like many Falcons who prefer comfort over style, any type of sneakers are allowed to be worn. 

With my style guide, you will never have to wear a boring or uncomfortable outfit to school again. Even with the new additions to the dress code, you can be comfortable in clothes like mock turtlenecks, or stylish with clothes like jeans with an artsy design. Even when you’re late to school or had a rough morning, it’s important to stay in dress code and look presentable while in school. And if you ever forget, the front office is always happy to give you clothes from their dress code closet, but they definitely won’t match the cute look you’re going for.