Land's End found 13 percent of schools had uniform policies and another 15 percent were considering uniforms. Land's End provides basic uniform combinations such as blue or white polo shirts and khaki pants, with sweaters and corduroys for colder weather. They are moving to a more relaxed atmosphere. Vincent Ferrandino, executive director of the elementary school principals association, cautions such dress code policies should contain provisions for students who have religious objections or special dress needs for religious observance. Schools also should include a scholarship program for students who can't afford the uniforms.
Many schools prohibit shirts that feature obscenities and drug or alcohol advertisements.
Schools also ban exposed belly buttons, jeans with gaping holes and sometimes even tank tops. Anything that could be construed as gang-related clothing or attire that might cause a fight also is taboo. But enforcement of such codes, including banning bare midriffs, is sometimes lacking. I believe they should have been enforcing it. But school officials cited a desire to improve discipline in issuing the new code, which specifies that underwear must be the same color as outerwear and have no visible emblems or show through clothing.