School districts outline what not to wear to class

"Dress to impress," goes the cliche, but school officials are reminding students it's teachers they need to impress this year, not patrons of singles' bars.

School dress codes have long been the norm at private and parochial schools, but in recent years, an increasing number of public schools have lengthened the list of their clothing don'ts.

And on that list: underwear-revealing pants, alcohol-inspired shirts, bare midriffs, bare backs -- bare anything for that matter.

"I had many, many parents come up to me and say they enjoy the fact that we have a dress code," said Dan Coles, superintendent of Wauconda Unit District 118. "It makes their job a lot easier."

Like many area districts, District 118 tightened its clothing policy for the 2003-04 term, banning belly-baring tops, low-rise pants and other revealing garments.

Jenn Ruppert, a senior at Libertyville High School, said she was sent home several times for inappropriate clothing her freshman year.

"Short shorts and tight, stomach-showing shirts were the style," she said. "I think it is normally a bigger issue for younger students because they are trying to be attractive and impress people. By the time you are an upperclassman, you don't really care anymore."

Brent Rawlinson, a Libertyville High senior, said he rarely notices people violating the dress code, but if there is an offender, it is normally by a female.

"Guys don't wear short shorts and mini skirts," Rawlinson said. "Every once in awhile you will see a guy with sagging pants or a beer T-shirt, but it doesn't happen too often."

Antioch Community High School Principal Michael Nekritz said dress code violations were more prevalent when the school first implemented the rules, but in recent years it is rarely a problem.

That could be because students also see a need for restrictions.

Coles said in addition to support from parents, students viewed the changes in Wauconda positively as well.

"I think it removes a lot of the pressure and stress involved with getting ready for school," he said.

Despite her infractions freshman year, Ruppert said Libertyville High School's dress code is fair, if not a little too lenient.

"You should see what some people would wear if they could. Too much cleavage," she said.