One of the more common controversial elements of middle school and high school is the dress code. Spaghetti straps aren’t allowed in many buildings and some school rules dictate that shorts and skirts must be no higher than the wearer’s fingertips when arms are hanging down.
Profanity isn’t allowed on shirts and boxers cannot show outside of jeans. Pants cannot sport the ripped look and shoulders cannot be exposed. South Carolina high school principal Heather Taylor actually told students at an assembly not to wear leggings to school unless they’re petite. Her insulting speech was recorded and obtained by a local news station.
“I’ve told you this before, I’m going to tell you this now, unless you are a size zero or two and you wear something like that, even though you’re not fat, you look fat.”
Homeschooled senior Darcy Krueger could not wait for her homecoming dance. But because of a dress code enforced at the Tampa Bay Homeschool event, she wasn’t allowed to enter.
Darcy was absolutely crushed that her classy black jumpsuit didn’t meet the event’s dress code. She dolled herself up with strappy heels, tasteful jewelry and an adorable hair-do. But the 17-year-old was told to go home and change by the event planner Stephanie Voth.
Why? She wasn’t wearing a dress.
“I was very surprised and confused. I had been standing in line in front of her (the event planner), but the moment she saw my legs move she immediately denied me entrance. It felt very dismissive and inconsiderate.”
Event planner Stephanie Voth told TODAY in an emailed statement that “the dress code is submitted and approved by the parents of our community group.”
“My role is to decorate, enforce and execute the event. The dress code issue was a pantsuit does not qualify as a dress.”
Darcy said Stephanie wasn’t willing to explain herself further. She was simply told to go home and change, then return wearing a dress.
“That was not an option for me once I realized the only reason I couldn’t go in was because I wasn’t wearing an actual dress. I just couldn’t support that idea. My initial reaction was to call my mom since she had dropped me off there to just come and pick me up and go home. I didn’t want to be there anymore.”
The dress code for the event stated “semi-formal dresses for young ladies,” and dress pants, button-down shirts and ties for boys. The dress code allowed strapless, knee-length and two-piece dresses with less than a two-inch gap at the midsection.
“We highly discourage dresses that are too revealing and that are simply too short. Dresses that expose a plunging neckline or backlines are NOT appropriate. You will not be allowed in if your dress is questionable.”
Darcy’s mom Melissa was very unhappy about what happened to her daughter. The event was not only cost her $50 for the ticket, but her daughter was very excited to attend an event commemorating her final year of school.
“I had read the dress code, and while the word used was ‘dresses,’ the other, more clearly stated rules seemed to be the emphasis. Jumpsuits are commonly worn by women for special events and are readily available for purchase when shopping for semi-formal attire. Jumpsuits were not listed in violation of the dress code, as were jeans, t-shirts, etc. It didn’t cross my mind her outfit would be in violation.”
When Melissa shared what happened to her daughter on Facebook, the response was overwhelming.
“She looks extremely chic, upscale, tasteful, dressed up, and very stylish! Love the look, nothing wrong with it for a semi-formal or even formal event! Gorgeous and great sense of style.”
Photographer Jennie Ellis caught wind of what happened to Darcy. She saw the story on her newsfeed and decided to do something special for Darcy. They agreed to a photo shoot with the teen wearing none other than the controversial jumpsuit, free of charge.
“I want girls to know they are strong.”
The photo shoot unfolded at a local park and was the first time for Darcy who admitted to being a wee bit nervous. She loved perching on the trunk, symbolic of the baggage she had been carrying, all because of the jumpsuit that everyone else said looked perfect.
“She was exuding strength and confidence. I didn’t give her any poses, she did that on her own. By the end she was so electrified.”
Jennie was supportive of Darcy not changing her clothes and standing her ground when presented with an archaic way of thinking – that girls should only wear dresses.
“What I hope for her is that she knows she has a voice. I want Darcy to feel like Darcy can speak up for what is right. Maybe some other girls wouldn’t have the nerve to stand up for this.”
Darcy was grateful for the experience and said the photos allow her to remember that she can “rise above disappointing circumstances and own them, instead of them owning you.”
What do you think about Darcy’s jumpsuit? Should it have been banned?
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