School Uniform Policy
School uniforms are ordered directly from Mar-Lou Garments (www.marlou.com). Mar-Lou representatives are on campus each semester to assist students with their uniform needs. They are also present at Freshman Registration to help incoming families place their uniform orders. Select uniform items, including P.E. uniforms, are also available from our on-campus bookstore. Preston High School’s required uniform consists of the following:
- A gray plaid uniform skirt, unrolled at the waist, no shorter than approximately TWO inches above the knee. In issues of skirt length, the Dean’s decision is final.
- A CLEAN white oxford over-blouse in one of two styles: hemmed bottom or elastic bottom, fully buttoned. In warm weather months, the long or short-sleeved uniform polo shirt may be worn. The polo shirt may also be worn under the uniform sweater in the winter. Students who have new short-sleeved oxford shirts may wear them during warm weather if they are ironed and fully buttoned. (The polo shirts launder easily and can be purchased directly from Marlou Garments or the Preston bookstore.) Oversize polo shirts/blouses may NOT be worn. No shirts of any kind other than the official PHS turtleneck or Physical Education shirt may be visible under the blouse.
- the official burgundy sweater
- solid-colored socks, ankle high or knee high: burgundy, white or the shade of gray that matches the skirt.
- solid-colored stockings: burgundy, white, gray (must match the skirt), or natural.
- Shoes: solid black, navy blue, brown, gray or burgundy (below the ankle). If a student wishes to wear name-brand shoes, she may choose solid black, navy blue, brown or burgundy shoes by Eastland.
- Sneakers: CLEAN solid white or solid black (no white or other color trim or laces) and cut below the ankle. Gray sneakers are another option for the winter uniform. If a student wishes to wear name-brand sneakers, see list distributed with August return-to-school mailing.
The PHS uniform is one symbol of the unity, respect, and pride of the school community. Appearance reflects professionalism and positive self-image. The uniform reflects that attitude by its neatness, cleanliness, appropriate length of skirts, and proper fit. Guidelines are issued in the interest of appropriate school attire, modesty, and safety. Students are required to follow the guidelines listed below. A student who fails to do so incurs demerits. Inappropriately short skirts are never permitted; violations of this rule require replacement of the skirt. Shorts worn under skirts should NOT extend below the skirt’s hemline. Repeated offenses result in more serious penalties. For serious offenses, students may be prevented from attending classes.
All clothing/backpacks/calculators/books should be marked with the student’s name.
PROHIBITIONS IN DRESS AND GENERAL APPEARANCE: The following items are NOT acceptable school attire and distract from the learning environment we endeavor to create. Students who violate this policy will be required to remove the offending item or will be sent home to change into more appropriate attire. Any class work that the student misses because she was sent home cannot be made up.
- No spandex, footless tights or leggings may be worn as part of the uniform. Leggings may be worn with dresses no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
- Bare legs are inappropriate and not permitted at any time in school. PEDS AND THIGH HIGHS MAY NOT BE WORN.
- Boots, construction boots, hiking boots, desert boots, high heels, high tops, flip-flops, jellies, clogs, sandals, platform shoes of any kind.
- Low cut slacks and blouses cut high at the waist and low at the neckline or tightly form fitting.
- Protruding shoe tongues and unlaced shoes. All shoelaces must be properly tied.
- “Dog collars”
- Link chains
- Wide headbands, bandannas.
- Bright-colored hair, e.g. Kool-aid colors and other dramatic effect coloring.
- Visible tattoos.
- Pierced body parts, other than ears. This includes tongue, nose and eye piercing.
- Nails whose length interferes with the use of keyboard, computer, and/or adds risk to participation in Physical Education classes.
- Face painting and markings, except on Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Step-up Day
- Outerwear jackets. These must be locked in lockers.
- No ripped, frayed, torn, cut, or dirty clothing, including such uniform items as shirts, sweaters, skirts or sweatshirts
- Shorts with an inseam less than 12” in length
The penalty for being out of uniform for any reason without a validated uniform pass is an automatic detention.
OPTIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS:
- The official maroon PHS sweatshirt may be worn over the uniform on FRIDAYS only EXCEPT on days when formal assemblies are scheduled. Club-related sweatshirts, which must be approved before purchase by the Dean of Students, may be worn on dress down days.
- The official PHS summer skirt may be worn with the short-sleeved PHS polo shirt during Sept./Oct. and May/June. White or burgundy socks or natural stockings ONLY may be worn with the summer uniform.
- The official white PHS turtleneck may be worn with the winter uniform. The PHS sweater must be worn over the turtleneck and also over the long-sleeved oxford or polo shirt.
- Jewelry: Earrings may be worn in ears only and must be appropriately sized (i.e., hoop earrings must be no larger than 1.5” in diameter) for safety’s sake. Rings on fingers and bracelets may also be worn, but should be appropriate in size, color and style and limited in number. These items may NEVER be worn during Physical Education classes or sports events. At all times, safety and security should govern the wearing of jewelry. Students are strongly advised against bringing or wearing expensive jewelry to school.
- Thin solid-colored headbands which match the uniform: in winter: burgundy, navy, gray, black, white; with the summer uniform, pink or white.
- Makeup should be tastefully applied.
- Out-of-Uniform Dress Code: (Dress-up and Dress-down Days): Because styles frequently change, the prevailing dress code is publicly announced before dress-down days. Clothing that is torn, frayed, form-fitting or inappropriate for school is prohibited. The only acceptable shirts are full length Tee-shirts or blouses with no inappropriate markings; PHS and college logos are permitted. The student’s shirt/blouse must be long enough to tuck into her skirt or pants. Low-cut tops are prohibited. Bare legs are permitted on dress-down days only when the student is wearing shorts cut to the knee or pants (cropped or full length) AND ballerina flats only.
- Special Events Attire: Appropriate length dresses or dress slacks and modest tops and stockings should be worn on such special occasions as evening performances, Ring Night, Honor Society inductions, Academic Honors Convocation, Sports Night, etc. Dress-down attire is not acceptable for these events nor are any items that are ordinarily not permitted, e.g. leggings with short blouses, low-cut, form fitting dresses.
