“Cover up,” security told me last week when it was 80 degrees outside.

I looked down.  Yes, I was wearing a crop top, but it was significantly less cropped than others I had seen in the halls that day. “You’re not allowed to show more than an inch of stomach,” he clarified.

This was the first time I had heard this rule.  The most I had heard about the dress code in my time at Watkins Mill was a vague reminder on the announcements to not wear anything too short.

I was annoyed, but if an inch of stomach is the rule, then yes, I violated it.

However, another student was told she was dressed inappropriately while wearing a white sweater because the color of her bra was faintly visible through the knit.

If being able to see the color of someone’s underwear is inappropriate, then shouldn’t most boys be told they’re violating the dress code for sagging every day?

Out of curiosity, I checked the 2017-2018 Student Code of Conduct to see what the actual dress code says, only to find that there is no dress code listed. Instead, in the fine print, it said: “MCPS Regulation JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, defines dress code expectations.”

Section L of this document states:

Students may not be disciplined for their style of dress or grooming unless
it—
a) is likely to cause a disruption to the educational environment;
b) causes a disruption to the educational environment;
c) endangers health or safety;
d) fails to meet a reasonable requirement of a course or activity;
e) is associated with gangs;
f) is lewd, vulgar, obscene, revealing, or of a sexual nature; or
g) promotes tobacco, smoking, alcohol, drugs, or sexual activity

Nowhere in this document does it disclose anything about underwear visibility, or inches of midriff allowed.

I understand that it is up to the school to determine the exact dress code for their students; however, a tangible set of expectations has not been provided to the Watkins Mill student body, and therefore the rules are being enforced haphazardly.

If an actual rule regarding inches of midriff allowed or opacity of shirts is going to be made, students should be notified in writing. And while it should not need to be said, the same rules regarding skin or underwear need to be enforced for ALL students, not just the female ones.