As temperatures rise with the onset of summer, school administrators are increasingly scrutinizing girls’ attire under stringent dress code policies. However, one fearless mother has decided to take a stand. After her daughter faced disciplinary action for wearing shorts, she penned an audacious letter inviting the principal to join her daughter on a shopping trip.
Emily Harrison’s 13-year-old daughter, Lily, received notes from her middle school on consecutive days, informing her that her choice of shorts was inappropriate for school. Taking to Instagram, Emily shared images of the shorts that had been deemed unacceptable because they fell just above her daughter’s fingertips. “Finding stylish shorts that adhere to the dress code is nearly impossible,” Emily expressed. “Lily is tall with long arms, and if she receives one more citation, she’ll end up in detention.”
As a licensed therapist and author, Emily took her concerns directly to the principal, posting her letter on her website and the community section of a popular parenting platform. In her correspondence, she highlighted the challenges of shopping for clothes that meet the school’s guidelines, suggesting that perhaps the principal could experience this dilemma firsthand.
“Thank you for notifying me for the second consecutive day that my daughter was inappropriately dressed,” Emily wrote. “I also appreciate your concern for her well-being, which led to her changing into oversized mesh shorts that may have seen better days.”
In a clever twist, Emily extended an invitation to the principal: “I’d like to invite you to accompany my daughter on a shopping excursion.” However, she warned the principal of the complexities involved. “Good luck! Lily stands at 5’7″ and is built more like her father, with long legs and arms. She has a strong aversion to pink, purple, or anything frilly.”
The struggle for tall individuals is all too real — finding bottoms that fit properly can feel like an insurmountable task. As a teen, I often faced tears in dressing rooms because every pair of jeans seemed to be too short.
Additionally, like many middle schoolers, Lily has unique style preferences. “Logos are an absolute no-go for her, but she’d gladly wear any superhero, Green Day, or USFL T-shirt if you can track them down.” Emily also reminded the principal that any clothing selected must pass the infamous fingertip test. “With her long fingers, finding appropriate shorts is daunting. On the bright side, her piano teacher says those fingers are an asset. You might want to allocate several weekends and afternoons for this shopping challenge.”
Emily concluded her letter with a reasonable request regarding budgeting. “We can’t splurge on her wardrobe; she’s still growing!”
The pièce de résistance came in the postscript. “P.S. I forgot to express my gratitude for reinforcing the idea that my daughter’s body is somehow a distraction, either to herself or the boys,” she wrote. “I appreciate your commitment to driving this message home.”
While Lily took the situation in stride, she still grappled with daily outfit choices and the anxiety of encountering the principal. This incident is just one of many where outdated and sexist dress codes target young girls, whether it be for wearing “spaghetti straps,” having to cover up in sweltering heat, or simply having long legs. Emily encourages parents to advocate for their children. “Don’t just accept it if you’re dissatisfied. Girls aren’t objects; their bodies shouldn’t be seen as distractions.”
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In summary, Emily Harrison’s letter to the principal highlights the absurdity of stringent dress codes that disproportionately affect girls. By inviting the principal to experience the shopping challenge firsthand, she advocates for her daughter and encourages other parents to voice their concerns.