At the start of the school year in Italy, wide discussions have emerged regarding dress codes, after several educational institutions decided to impose strict rules against clothing styles considered inappropriate in an academic setting.
In many schools, circulars have been issued banning ripped jeans, short skirts, belly-baring tops or low-cut shirts, along with shorts, see-through outfits, or clothing that reveals underwear. The stated goal is to preserve the image of the school as a place of learning and discipline, away from street fashion or overly flashy trends.
A high school in the town of Taormina (Sicily) offered a strict example, distributing to students an illustrated guide showing exactly what is allowed and what is prohibited. Other schools in places such as Lecce and Turin have adopted similar measures, in some cases even recording disciplinary notes against students who fail to comply.
These steps have sparked debate across Italian society:
Supporters argue that they help promote mutual respect and discipline in classrooms.
Critics counter that they restrict students’ personal freedom of expression, stressing that appearance should not affect the quality of education.
Despite the controversy, the reality remains that most Italian schools have the legal right to include dress code policies in their internal regulations. In this way, decent dress becomes part of the school’s identity, sending an unspoken message that education goes hand in hand with values and daily behavior.
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