The debate over uniforms in school is one that resurfaces every fall as parents prepare for back-to-school shopping. Whether your school has a uniform policy or not, chances are they still have some restrictions. The most common restriction is not allowing young girls to wear leggings to school. Dress codes have been around forever and leggings since at least the 60s. In the late 2000s, leggings took over fashion yet again and raised concerns across the US. Girls found the pants to be wonderfully comfortable and versatile, while administrators found them offensive. Girls and parents everywhere have been pushing back, but not many schools have seen a change yet. Just last February, a school in Kentucky was hit with public scrutiny over punishing girls for wearing leggings to school. In K-8 school buildings, this practice is simply outdated and unnecessary.
Here is my list of 10 reasons why elementary students should be able to wear leggings in K-8 schools.
I also believe high school students should be allowed to wear leggings, but without a 9-12 license I do not feel confident commenting on high school building policies.
Leggings are extremely common in our culture today, making them a mainstream clothing item.
When leggings first came into fashion for my generation there was a common argument that
“Leggings are not pants.” After several years and several brands selling to several millions of women, leggings are officially considered legitimate pants. I dare say they are the preferred pants among most women and girls. Not acknowledging this cultural shift in school policies makes our buildings out of touch and outdated.
Leggings are cute and versatile.
Leggings are quick and easy outfit builders. They are a staple fashion item that go with nearly everything. This versatility allows for quick choices during busy school day mornings, something parents of opinionated girls everywhere will be thankful for.
Flexible seating is more accessible in leggings.
The shift from the classical desk configurations of yesteryears to alternative and flexible seating is still in its cultural prime. At the core of flexible seating is choice. Permitting leggings in the dress code allows girls to choose a variety of workspaces with comfort. We’re talking floor seats, wobble stools, bean bags, and standing desks. Choice is hindered by stiff ill-fitting pants, putting girls at a disadvantage for an optimal learning experience.
Speaking of stiff ill-fitting pants, leggings are comfortable!
Many uniform pants are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable kids are crabby. Crabby kids don’t learn. Kids who are not learning disrupt others. Save your classroom management gimmicks and get to the source of the problem. Allow girls to wear leggings and enjoy a peaceful classroom.
Leggings are cheap and easily replaceable.
Girls leggings typically run under $10. Most brands offer them for closer to $5. Khakis and jeans at the same store and the same brand are around $15-$20. With inflation and the cost of living on the constant rise, this price difference is huge for most families. What’s more, leggings fit a variety of sizes and for longer periods of time. A young girl can wear a size medium pair of leggings all year long but will need to size up in structured pants multiple times as she grows throughout the 9 months of school. Also, we know how rambunctious and messy these kids are. When kids come home with holes in their knees, rips, and stains, it is less of a financial burden to replace a pair of leggings.
The cost efficiency of leggings eliminates class disparities, easing social relations.
As students get taller throughout the school year, middle schoolers I’m looking at you here, their pants get shorter and become a topic of conversation. “High-water” jeans look funny and can lead to bullying. Cropped leggings become cuter and more trendy. The majority of leggings look the exact same, regardless of brand and price range. For those people who argue that uniforms put all students on an equal playing field and eliminate bullying, then so do leggings by this same standard.
Leggings are key to accessibility for students with disabilities.
Leggings are significantly more comfortable for students with sensory processing disorders. They ease independence for students who struggle with fine motor skills. They allow for a better range of motion for students receiving PT and OT during the school day. They are also easier for parents and caregivers who have to assist in dressing and changing. Most administrators are willing to make exceptions for students with disabilities that ultimately others and outs them to their peers. Allowing leggings in the dress code is a universal by-design practice.
Most leggings don’t have pockets.
Elementary kids love to sneak their favorite small toys and trinkets to small groups, specials, or lunch and recess. A young student with no pockets has fewer hiding places for items that cause disruptions and drama. This helps eliminate the post-lunch meltdowns over lost toys that were not supposed to be out in the first place.
Teachers love leggings too.
Teachers also want to wear leggings for their 40-60 hour work weeks for most of these same reasons. They are cheaper and more comfortable. Elementary teachers are on the go the entire day. Many maneuver a variety of spaces in their classrooms that a comfortable pair of leggings would help with. Uncomfortable teachers are crabby. Crabby teachers don’t teach well. Kids who are not learning disrupt others. While allowing teachers to wear leggings is a different debate for later, we can right now recognize the empathy for our students and allow them the freedom we crave.
The only reason against allowing young girls to wear leggings is gross and invalid.
The argument that leggings are too tight on a girl’s butt and distract boys is sexualizing minors and is disgusting. It is 2023 and boys are responsible for their own actions. Using this excuse to control a child’s clothing is victim blaming and gaslighting. It is not too much work to tell boys that a young girl’s body is not an object of entertainment for them. Let’s not police these girls’ bodies for the sake of the boys. They will have enough of that to deal with as they get older. Let’s instead instill in them agency and validation that their educational experience is important too.
Lauren Anderson is a 32-year-old Cincinnati native. She is teaching 4th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies in a public school setting. She is passionate about education innovation, literacy, and social justice. In her free time she loves to be outdoors and spend time with her family, especially her two young kids. She earned her B.A. in English Literature and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati and is a proud Bearcat!
I find it interesting that you can’t say the leggings are too tight on a girl’s butt without saying it distracts boys. I hate to tell you this but girls can be dressed inappropriately WITHOUT it having anything to do with boys. Yes some leggings are adorable! Especially when they fit right….. fight right. As a middle school teacher I see girls who dress so nice and so cute but then there are those who want every aspect of their anatomy to be visible to the general public. It has nothing to do with boys being distracted, it has to do with girls learning to dress appropriately. No, overly tight anything that shows everything on girls or boys does not belong at school. I guess schools could adopt a legging that they sell with uniforms that are the appropriate weight and thickness for school. You also have to remember not all body shapes look good in leggings,,,, just check out WalMart in the evening. Like anything there has to be parameters set.