WHAT TO WEAR OR WHAT NOT TO WEAR

Almost 20 years have gone by since parents collected funds to fight the Tustin School District dress code. In 1971 there were very strict dress codes throughout the county school system. Boys’ hair could not extend over the collar or ears and girls’ skirts could not be above the knee.

Now the emphasis is more on learning and attending classes and less on hair styles and attire. Rules and regulations that might have kept some students

from attending classes because of their clothing or hair no longer exist.

The final word of what is acceptable and what is not lies with the principal of each school. Some schools are willing to accept purple, green and orange hair and skirts at any length, while in a few schools that would be taboo. Here is a list of all Orange County school districts and their current dress codes:

Anaheim Union High School District

Grades 7-12

Enrollment: 21,874

Students should be neat and clean at all times. The wearing of accessories containing ethnic slurs or depicting sex, drugs, alcohol and tobacco are forbidden. No short-shorts or midriff showing is allowed. Shoes are required.

Fullerton Joint Union

High School District

Grades 9-12

Enrollment: 12,004

Students must be dressed and groomed in a manner that does not adversely affect instructional programming or violate standards of cleanliness, safety or decency. Shoes are required.

Huntington Beach Union

High School District

Grades 9-12

Enrollment: 17,062

Nothing can be worn that may be disruptive to the learning environment. No clothing that is gang-related. No tube tops, short-shorts or clothing advertising drugs, sex or alcohol. Shoes are required.

Brea-Olinda Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 4,478

Students must be clean and neatly dressed. No clothing can be worn that advertises drugs or alcohol. No short-shorts, bare midriff or obscene printing on shirts. Shoes are required.

Capistrano Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 20,355

All dress-code restrictions are safety and health regulations. No clothing that makes a statement against an individual’s civil rights. Shoes are required.

Garden Grove Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 36,575

Students should pay proper attention to cleanliness, neatness, health and safety. Clothing should be suitable for all school activities. Shoes are required.

Irvine Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 18,863

All students shall dress in a manner that is clean and neat and not hazardous to their safety nor disruptive to instructional programming. Shoes are required.

Laguna Beach Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 2,232

Dress, hair style and makeup must not be disruptive to the academic process; shoes are required.

Los Alamitos Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 5,804

Clothing cannot be obscene or sexually suggestive in any way. Shoes are required.

Newport-Mesa Unified

School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 16,215

Clothing must be in good taste with an appreciation for a school setting. Shoes are required.

Orange Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 24,300

No spike bracelets. No drug, alcohol or sexual logos may be worn on any item of clothing. No halter tops or short-shorts allowed. Shoes are required.

Placentia Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 16,798

No short-shorts, thongs without backs, strapless dresses, sheer garments or midriff showing. No extreme hair styles or make-up. No alcohol, drugs or sexual logos may be worn. Shoes are required.

Saddleback Valley Unified

School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 37,415

No clothing depicting sex, drugs, alcohol or tobacco. No short-shorts, bikinis or anything very sheer. Shoes are required.

Santa Ana Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 37,415

Appropriate dress is expected of all students at all times. Suitable clothing that is neat, clean and comfortable for normal school activities is suggested. Shoes are required.

Tustin Unified School District

Grades K-12

Enrollment: 9,859

Students should show good taste in their selection of clothing. No bathing suits or logos on clothing regarding drugs, alcohol, sex and tobacco. Shoes are required.

Source: Individual school districts