JSB Dress Code

SEMI FORMAL & FORMAL WEAR
Referenced from Student Handbook page 36

1) Your dress must have at least one strap: 1 strap, 2 straps, halters, one shoulder dresses are all okay; strapless, clear straps, or off-the-shoulder straps are not okay.

Strap Fix: Add satin or rhinestone ribbon straps sewn or pinned inside the dress.

2) No low necklines, cleavage may not show in any position:  “sweetheart” necklines are okay; deep or plunging necklines are not okay. 

Neckline Fix: Add a piece of fabric across the low part of the front to cover cleavage or shorten straps to raise the front neckline.

3) No low backs: the back of your dress may not show skin lower than 3” below the bottom of your shoulder blades, dresses that have see-through fabrics like lace or mesh that show your back below the 3" mark do not meet this guideline. 

Fix: Add fabric across the back to cover anything that is 3" below the bottom of your shoulder blades.  You can match the dress material or use a gathered tulle or sparkly satin fabric, as long as it is not see-through.  You could also add a lining inside of the dress where there is mesh or lace that shows skin.  (Fabric stores have lots of options.)

4) The hemline or slit on your dress can be no higher than 4" above the knee

Fix: Sew the slit together to the appropriate height.

5) No midriff or torso skin may be showing: this applies to the front, back, and sides of the dress; no skin may show around your waist or below your armpits on the sides when you move or raise your arms.

Fix: Two piece dresses can be sewn together to be one-piece; you can wear an opaque garment (generally a tube top) that completely covers the midriff, back, and sides; or you can add opaque fabric to the inside of the dress to fully cover your skin.

6) No skin-tight or curve-hugging dresses: fitted dresses with lots of gathers, lots of pleats, or that are fully beaded are often okay only if they are not too tight; however, if the fabric stretches and clings to you (especially around your backside and down the back of your thighs), then it's too tight.

Fix: This issue is tough to fix.  Most thin-material, form-fitting dresses are not acceptable for our dress code. One option is to buy a bigger size that gives more movement inside the dress instead of being super clingy. But honestly, it’s usually best to just choose a different dress. This is the most common reason that dresses are not approved, so be very careful when you are shopping to pay attention to the "fit" of the dress on your body.