In recent weeks, admin has been strictly enforcing a new dress code rule: no denim pants of any kind from Monday through Thursday. For years, students were allowed to wear black or beige-colored jeans that met uniform standards. Now, even those are banned, leaving students frustrated and questioning why this change was necessary.
At its core, a dress code should promote professionalism and respect within a school community. Banning denim entirely doesn’t entirely make Manogue more professional, it just makes students less comfortable and more resentful. Many students followed the previous rule responsibly, wearing neat, appropriate denim that looked just as classy as the normal uniform khakis.
This new rule could possibly bring issues to Miner families. Many purchased multiple pairs of jeans for the school year, expecting them to meet code as they always had. Now, those pants are suddenly useless for most of the week. This forces some students to need to buy new uniform-approved pants. That’s an unnecessary expense that can be problematic for some households.
Administrators might argue that this policy helps maintain a more consistent and polished appearance, but the difference between black denim and black cotton in pants is barely noticeable. Ripped jeans, sagging, and sweatpants are one thing, but simple denim doesn’t hurt anybody. How is it that students can wear joggers and linen pants but not denim? Jeans are durable, affordable, and comfortable – qualities that make sense for a busy school day. The old policy worked. The new one just feels like control for control’s sake. If Manogue wants to foster a sense of unity and respect, it should trust its students to dress appropriately without micromanaging fabric types.