Before school starts, make sure your wardrobe meets the dress code

The time is coming for students to retire the swimsuits and pick up the backpacks.

Students may feel dress codes limit their personal expression, but school officials say the guidelines promote dignity in the students' appearance and maintain an educational and safe environment for all students. The punishment for dress code violations in some schools ranges from being sent home to change to days of out-of-school suspension.

We compiled guidelines from several area schools to help you get ready for the school year. Make sure to check your school's dress code for specifics.

TOPS

Most dress codes prohibit warm-weather shirts that tend to expose skin. This includes halter or tube tops, spaghetti straps, and/or see-through tops that create problems and distractions for students. At Kelly High School, for example, straps are to be the width of a dollar bill.

SHORTS / BOTTOMS

Shorts can't be worn too short and pants shouldn't be worn too low. Most policies on pants say they should be worn with a belt, close to the waist and not sagging. Shorts and skirts should not exceed three inches above the knee in some schools. Bottoms with large rips or tears are also prohibited.

HEADWARE

Headwear is a classic don't during the school day, and although schools did not report this as a problem, if items are worn in the building they will be confiscated. Students cannot wear hats, bandannas or sunglasses inside the building unless for religious or medical purposes. At Central, picks or combs stuck in a student's hair are also not allowed.

CLOTHING WITH OBJECTIONABLE MESSAGES OR ILLUSTRATIONS

Items with tobacco, alcohol or drug use, sexual representations, violence, profanity or other provocative issues are not allowed. This violation can be problematic for students and create conflict as well as distraction from the educational environment.

PAJAMAS

"Nightwear should be worn at night,"said Dr. Mike Cowan, Cape Girardeau Central High School principal. Many schools have decided pajama pants or bottoms with similar fit and material are inappropriate for the school setting. Scott City superintendent Diann Bradshaw-Ulmer said the district recently added this regulation to the dress code for the fall.