Teachers resent administrators’ arbitrary dress code rules

“I would ask any friends you have in the building that you think have good judgement. Dress codes vary per school and district. [re: Is this unprofessional for a middle school teacher?]”

“wow im a dingus i didn't read the body of the post at all, yikes uh anyways I mostly wear black/navy slacks and nice blouses or my work polo M-Th. On fridays we can wear jeans and I frequently wear my school counseling t-shirt or homecoming t-shirt on fridays, I wouldn't wear them any other day [re: High School teacher in the U.S.A what is the dress code for public schools or private school.]”

“We (HS in MI) really don't have one. In the last year that I have worked here, I've heard of maybe two students getting dress code violations, the former I think was an alcohol reference on a shirt, the latter was a gun reference (something about a glock), but I have also seen MAGA hats, shirts or hats with alcohol references not get coded, etc. [re: High School teacher in the U.S.A what is the dress code for public schools or private school.]”

“At my daughter's private school (secular), shorts and a suit would both be completely unacceptable. The male teachers there wear khakis or slacks (never jeans) and polos or button downs with either a tie or a sport coat - unless it's the very beginning or ending of the year, when they might wear a polo alone. Sometimes in winter a button down with a sweater over it. Women's clothing is considerably more variable, but of a similar level of formalness. I noticed jackets are very common”

“I'm an early career teacher lucky enough to have spent my time at the same school. Our admin rocks and is trying to tighten up on what they see as slacking standards the last few years. Cleaned up people wandering halls, cell phones (to the best teachers' compliance will allow), and now we're onto dress code. Ours is lax. Shorts past your fingertips, no strapless or spaghetti-strapless tops, no exposed midriffs, no violent/drug/vulgar imagery. But of course the kids will walk past ad”

“Hi, so i work in a school, and I do mainly wear pink/white. All my clothing is appropriate and in line with the dress code, just that I like to wear colours that give me comfort and confidence. However, I am now being told to dull down my wardrobe so the children won't be as 'drawn' to me, as i will now be working with smaller children. I don't wear neon colours, it usually is just baby pink, beige, white, etc. Are they allowed to tell me to do that? I've been employed there”

“I just have some thoughts on school dress codes for teachers. I do wear a shirt and tie to work. But it seems that admin is being absolutely ridiculous about wearing jeans or a hoodie. I work in a district with a state correction action plan. Why is the school worried about what the teachers are wearing? I don’t think there is a correlation between what the teachers are wearing and the kids reading level. While I’m getting emails yelling at us for wearing hoodies, I have a class of 8th graders w”

“"if a parent saw you, you can get fired for the way you dress." False. If they try, call a lawyer.”

“I understand that, but most reasonable people find that a vast overreach. I'm not saying people should be fired for what they wear, just that teachers' choices are in the spotlight as education is increasingly politicized”

“I did. Got a talking to (I have a great principal but this is infuriating) and am too much of a people pleaser.”

“I’ve never understood the point of jeans days. Slacks are looser, and breathe more, and less judgmental of my belly fat. That, and my school union prevents disciplinary action based on fashion choice (so long as we’re decent by US standards)”

“Who gives a royal flying f**k if teachers wear jeans?! I hate it here.”

“The stuff other States put up with boggles my mind. I'm a teacher and will wear jeans every day if I please. There's no expectation at all to pay money for this "privilege"”

“The school I work at wants us to pay $200 to wear jeans on Friday. How about the school stops buying TVs to put in places that are rarely used, they give the extra money to whatever charity they want, and I still wear jeans on Friday? I feel like after a week of putting up with these kids, it’s my right to wear jeans on only Friday. submitted by /u/BBQisdelicious [link] [comments]”

“No, that’s really weird and inappropriate. One of my coworkers wore a pair of pants that they didn’t know were pretty sheer, so I told her and let her borrow a pair of mine. I also let the principal know just so he’d know someone told her and he didn’t have to be the one.”

“Most districts in at don’t allow jeans, or shorts, not sneakers without a doctors note. The only districts that have allowed it charge $1 for the occasions you’re allowed to- and you can’t wear without a district shirt that you’re responsible for purchasing.”

“I hate wearing dress pants as well, I typically look like I'm about to play 18 holes when I teach. Polos and golf pants. MUCH more comfortable.”

“About 15 years ago my district had a group of teachers file a union grievance. The teacher dress code wasn’t being enforced at several schools. Those in schools where it was enforced were in “business casual” five days a week, 4 if they bought and wore a school/district tee. The non-enforced schools had jeans, tees, shorts…basically almost anything goes. It is now written into our bargaining agreement that schools cannot impose a dress code on teachers. Of course, no booty shorts or jammies (unl”

“I've just legit never worked at one that did. I may have my own opinion on that, that would be unpopular but I had no idea there were schools that allowed it.”

I wear whatever I deem professional attire. Full stop.

Dress codes are the dumbest things

“I completely sympathize. My school’s dress code is super oppressive too. Especially since we’re outside in nature with the kids a lot or sitting on the floor.”

“I would love to see the research that has been done on how teacher attire affects student learning. "The well-dressed professors/teachers are considered to be more organized, knowledgeable, and better prepared... "”

“Our new principal just changed the dress code too. He came from the high school where they dressed in business casual but the elementary was more casual. This is also my first year there but I know the teachers wore jeans when they wanted besides Friday and wore joggers and whatnot. Well all that changed and I need more clothes too. 🙄”

“Yes they are. I'm expected to wear business casual in a functioning machine shop/fab lab, where I'm the hands-on lab tech. Makes zero sense. I have to add a shop apron to protect my clothes and it's not air conditioned in there.”

“My last school did NOT care what we wore. I wore jeans and a t shirt probably 80% of the time. I wore pink crocs most days. My new school only allows jeans on Fridays and I’m pretty sad about it. I am an awkward size (short and very muscular) and professional pants rarely fit me. They’re either falling off and dragging on the floor or so tight they look like leggings. Now I have to buy a whole new wardrobe and have to be uncomfortable all day. I can’t even wear dresses because they expect us to”

“I am a new Co-Teacher for a first grade class! I’m so excited for the school year, but I was recently told that I am not allowed to wear jeans. I was a Paraprofessional before this, and all I wore were jeans!! I just moved into a new apartment and I have no extra money to add to my wardrobe!! Does anyone know of any resources I can use or extremely cheap places I can go to get more appropriate clothes? I am not against thrifting at all! I just know thrifting can be expensive nowadays. subm”

“I'd think a grown man wearing a Bluey Hawaiian shirt without context is pretty weird. If that person told me they were an elementary school teacher, I'd still think it was weird, but it's certainly understandable. At no point would I feel the need to point it out to you in person, though. I'd just be like, "Yup, there's tons of weirdos out there, this one seems pretty harmless." to myself, and move on.”

“I'm a sub in our little town's rural school district. The teachers wear jeans everyday. We're a big FFA school so it makes sense. I wear a school shirt with my jeans so people will know I belong there--although I've subbed enough that the kids all know my name.”

“I teach HS in a fairly affluent area and 90% of the students dress appropriately for school. There’s that occasional freshman/sophomore that shows up with bedhead in loungewear. A large percentage of the parents are professionals, business owners, etc. Teachers do not have a dress code because admin trusts us to dress appropriately as well. Fridays are unofficial jeans days, but no one abuses it. Students do notice and form their own opinions.”

“I’ve never really understood no-jeans rules. I’ve seen people who look more put together in a nice pair of jeans than some people do in a suit. It is possible for people to wear casual clothes nicely and formal clothes sloppily. Also, they can get me in a suit when they start taking education more seriously. These administrators are running a clown show and they think jeans will make or break the chaos? Please.”

“What does that even mean? What's a licensed professional? Plumbers are also licensed professionals, should they wear slacks on the job? What does "dressed professionally" mean? Most people are comfortable wearing extremely short shorts or sweatpants or whatever in public, aren't jeans still better dress than the average person? Come on friend, just admit you're holding onto an outdated tradition with no logical support that makes our jobs harder. Be careful of this mindset,”

“Why do you spend $100 on jeans?”

“Wow at my old district you had to pay $100 to wear jeans everyday and $50 to wear them on Fridays. The money went to scholarships for high school seniors.”

““In an effort to continue our dedication to (my school)’s positive working environment, we have updated our dress policy for all faculty and staff for the 2026-2027 school year. In prior years we’ve allowed jeans on Fridays, but starting this school year you may wear jeans daily.” I’m not ashamed to admit this email has me all excited 😆 submitted by /u/goldfall01 [link] [comments]”