Throughout the years, dress code has remained a constant problem for students. Some leaders created changes in the past, and yet the changes still weren’t good enough. The past dress code targeted girls more than boys, making it harder to stay comfortable in school.  Therefore, the Middle School Leadership Team officially changed the dress code at the beginning of the school year, and many students seem pleased. The dress code, now named “Dress and Personal Appearance Code,” is less restrictive as Westminster wants to stay a relaxed environment. The rules of the dress code now allow athletic attire, rips in jeans, leggings, and sweatpants without any restrictions.

8th-grade girls Grade Chair Catherine Zidow explains how the dress code was altered to make days at school more comfortable.  The old dress code was restrictive and made playing at school a struggle, causing changes. “We want you to be comfortable in your entire day at school,” she says. “We have so much recess at Westminster, which is a blessing—doesn’t happen in a lot of schools—but we know that you need to play in order to learn. So, we have set up our dress code to support that play . . . so I think it is just supporting the type of school we are.” 

This year, the dress code has changed so that the code remains fair for both genders, as last year girls didn’t have many options for clothes. Last year’s dress code applied more for girls, varying from finger-tip length skirts to different leggings requirements. Fashion evolves every day and starts new trends very often. But now, the new dress code now allows “athleisure,” which applies to both genders. 

Many Middle School students are happy with the dress code and, for the most part, don’t seem to dislike it so far. 8th grader Brooke Barnes thinks the dress code is great because of its relaxed rules that prevent students from exposing themselves. “I love it because it keeps good guidelines that allow students to express themselves but also keeps people from revealing too much,” she says. 8th grader Edward Askew-Norton likes the dress code because, unlike before, he can wear athleisure, which can be commonly seen around the Middle School. “I like it because I get to wear athletic clothes. And I can wear whatever I want,” he says. 8th grader Luca Bellman also likes the new dress code because now he has more freedom in what he can wear. “I like having this new dress code because there’s less restrictions.”

So far, students follow the dress code pretty well.  Zidow says the most prominent problems she notices include midriff and undergarments showing. 

Assistant Head Principal Vielka Reina, however, feels like the dress code was already relaxed and maybe too casual. Coming from a country where students wore uniforms in public and private schools, Reina sees advantages in having a school uniform. “Wearing uniforms would be easier in terms of not worrying about what is and isn’t the dress code,” she says.  Reina also explains that because of social trends, the dress code will always remain a problem. “The dress code will always go against fashion trends.” 

Overall, faculty members seem to accept the new dress code, and students also seem pleased with it.