As summer approaches, school dress codes are heating up, particularly for girls. One mother, however, decided to take a stand in a creative way. Emily Johnson’s 13-year-old daughter received a note from her middle school for two consecutive days due to wearing shorts deemed inappropriate in the sweltering heat. Frustrated, Emily took to Instagram to showcase the offending shorts—shorts that barely reached her daughter’s fingertips.
“It’s nearly impossible to find stylish shorts that fit the dress code,” Emily lamented. “My daughter is tall with long arms and fingers. One more violation, and she could end up in detention.”
As a licensed therapist and author, Emily crafted a letter to her daughter’s principal and shared it on her blog, ParentingWise, as well as on the community TODAY show website. In her letter, she explained how challenging it is for her tall daughter to meet the school’s stringent dress code and extended an invitation for the principal to join them on a shopping trip.
“Thank you for sending home a note for the second day in a row about my daughter’s ‘inappropriate’ attire,” Emily wrote with a hint of sarcasm. “I appreciate your concern for her well-being, especially when you had her change into oversized mesh shorts that may or may not have been washed.”
She humorously invited the principal to join her daughter on a shopping spree, noting, “Good luck finding clothes that fit her specifications! She’s 5’7″ and 13 years old, built more like her father, with long legs and arms. She’s not a fan of pink, purple, or anything frilly, either.”
Finding clothes that fit tall girls can be a challenge—trust me, I remember the tears I shed as a teenager trying to find jeans that didn’t look like they were meant for someone half my height. Emily’s daughter also has a particular style, refusing to wear anything with visible logos, although she loves superhero or vintage band t-shirts.
Moreover, Emily pointed out that whatever the principal selects must pass the infamous fingertip test, a humiliating standard that seems entirely outdated. “Those long fingers make finding appropriate shorts nearly impossible. (On the bright side, her piano teacher loves them!) Prepare to spend some serious time on this mission.”
She concluded her letter with a reasonable request to keep costs down, reminding the principal, “She’s still growing!”
The real kicker came in her postscript: “Thanks for making it clear to my daughter that her body is a distraction to others. I thought the gym teacher’s comments earlier in the year might have missed the mark, but I appreciate your efforts to hammer the point home.”
While Emily’s daughter was initially upset about the dress code violations, she was more concerned about what to wear each day and avoiding the principal’s gaze. More and more girls are facing outdated and sexist dress codes that shame them for wearing clothing that is simply comfortable or stylish. Emily urges other parents to speak up: “Girls aren’t objects. Their shoulders aren’t distractions. More parents should stand up for this.”
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In summary, Emily Johnson’s letter to her daughter’s principal highlights the absurdity of school dress codes that target girls. By inviting the principal to shop for appropriate clothing, Emily not only advocates for her daughter but also sheds light on the broader issue of how schools regulate girls’ attire.