Given that society has established expectations of individuals rooted in conservative ideals, the ongoing debate about the fairness of dress codes comes as no surprise. Dress codes have long faced criticism for perpetuating various harmful narratives, particularly the most insidious of them all, the belief that “she had it coming.” These dress codes have repeatedly singled out women, penalizing those who suffer the most and reinforcing victim-blaming in establishments like schools and workplaces. As institutions continue to enforce dress codes, the argument that they are necessary for propriety and professionalism couldn’t be further from the truth, and our cultural attitudes towards these dress codes should reflect this and challenge them.
School Dress Codes
Among the debated dress codes, school dress codes remain the most controversial, as they excessively target female students. Although school officials would argue that they are essential in preventing “unnecessary disruptions,” by prohibiting clothing pieces like spaghetti straps, short skirts and shorts, and crop tops, they already assert without nuance that these clothing pieces are in themselves somehow disruptive. Targeting clothing choices that are often exclusively worn by female students and then going as far as punishing individuals who don’t conform to these ridiculous policies further accentuates victim-blaming, and the idea that clothing is responsible for inviting inappropriate behavior.
The justification that comes along with punishing dress code-breaking individuals, oftentimes women, is that to avoid penalization, they should “just cover up.” An individual who does not meet the dress code policy is neither responsible nor deserving of any harassment or unwanted attention they may receive.
Furthermore, the narrative “she had it coming” specifically preys on women and the idea that the female body is inviting. For comparison, as shown in the illustration above, two individuals wearing the same outfit in different bodies still result in the individual with the female composition being stigmatized. Although one can argue that this is solely an illustration, I would argue that this illustration is a demonstration of the unfortunate reality most females face due to the foundations of modesty being built off of traditionalism.
Workplace Dress Codes
Further along the lane of the dress code debate, one will find that workplaces also promote harmful narratives by judging individuals’ expertise based on clothing choices. The fine line between what’s considered “professional” and what’s considered “provocative” at a workplace feeds into victim-blaming narratives. Clothing, such as a skirt over the knees or a shirt covering the chest, does not determine how professional and serious a woman is about her work. Therefore, instead of classifying individuals based on the fabric or lack thereof on their skin, institutions should make decisions about individuals based on their will, manner, and intelligence.
Dress codes in the workplace should ensure safety, comfort, and professionalism, no matter what position an individual holds at their job. It’s essential that workplaces promote a culture of respect where judgment and misconduct are discouraged.
Challenging the Narrative
In order to challenge the narrative that “She had it coming,” institutions need to reconsider their dress code policies and educate their participants about respect and appropriate behavior. Dress codes should include policies that focus on the safety and comfortability of people. Schools should assure students and employees are educated about why this narrative, along with other victim-blaming narratives, is harmful, and places of work should take proactive steps to discourage harmful actions and words. Along with these steps, every institution should prioritize illuminating the components of consent and the importance of being mindful of others before making any advances on them.
Without careful consideration, it is easy for institutions to pursue damaging narratives through dress codes. It is crucial to challenge these narratives and shift the focus towards educating individuals about the mistreatment they may bring. It is essential for the comfort of an individual to live in a respectful and safe environment, and this can only be achieved by moving away from the harmful belief that “She had it coming.”.
Illustration drawn per request by Amicus Illustrator, Tanner Cogliantry.
Edited by Zoey Chazin & Nikita Osadchiy.