In its quest for excellence, Mesquite ISD is committed to requiring a higher expectation of dress for our students. The district believes that students should dress in a way that is appropriate for the learning environment. Maintaining a school atmosphere suitable for academic study will help students focus on the business of school. The Standard Dress Policy is a vital step toward furthering excellence and better preparing our students for college, careers, and life as adults.

RELATED LINKS:
Standard Dress Introduction
Standard Dress FAQ

• Acceptable colors for pants, skirts, shorts and jumpers are khaki, navy blue or black (solid, single colors).
• All pants and shorts will be pleated or flat-front Docker® or similar style and must have belt loops.
• Belts must be worn with all pants and shorts and must be worn within the belt loops.
• Pants and shorts are to be worn at the waist with a belt at all times.
• Pants must be worn outside of shoes or boots.
• Capri pants will be acceptable for girls as long as they are worn at the waist and with a belt.
• Shorts may be worn but must be knee length or longer.
• Skirts must be knee length or longer. Slits in skirts may not extend more than 3 inches above the knee.
• Skirts must be worn at the waist. If a skirt has belt loops, a belt must be worn.
• Jumpers may be worn but must be knee length or below.
• Jumpers must be worn over a standard dress-approved shirt.
• Brand logos or labels on clothing items in this section may be no larger than 1 ½" by 1 ½".

NOT ALLOWED

• Tight or extremely form-fitting clothing (pants must fit loosely at knees and ankles)
• Oversized clothing
• Sweatpants, wind pants, pants or shorts with drawstrings, warm-ups, overalls or coveralls
• Leather, suede, vinyl, corduroy, denim and knit materials
• Baggy-style pants or shorts
• Cargo or carpenter style pants or shorts
• Soccer or boxer style shorts (except in P.E. or P.E. equivalent classes)
• Studs or decorations of any kind
• Gaucho style pants or gaucho style capris

• Belts must be worn buckled at all times and must be worn inside the belt loops.
  
• Belts must be leather-like dress-style or canvas belts with buckle.
• Belts may be any color or pattern
  

NOT ALLOWED

• Belts that are offensive, disruptive or gang-related
• Scarves or ribbons used as belts
• Tie or fringe belts
• Excessively decorated belts or buckles
• Oversized buckles (no larger than credit card size)
• Chain or metal belts
• Lettering on belts or buckles
• Suspenders

• Any solid color shirt that fits the style description will be allowed.
• Collared knit button polo style shirt (short or long sleeve)
• Oxford-style or dress shirts in long or short sleeve
• Turtleneck shirts
• Undershirts may be any solid color.
• All shirts, undershirts and turtlenecks must neatly be tucked in and remain tucked in when students are seated and arms are raised.
• Shirts are to remain tucked in during the school day.
• Clothing may have brand logos no larger than 1 ½" by 1 ½".

NOT ALLOWED

• Lettering of any kind unless approved by school principal
  
• Cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts
• Visible stripes, check or other designs
• Thermal-type shirts as top shirts (may wear as undershirt)
• Terry cloth shirts
• Zippered shirts
• Tight, extremely form-fitted shirts
• Low-cut blouses
• Cleavage showing
• Excessive layering of shirts

• Any solid color that fits the style description will be allowed.
  
• May only be worn over a standardized shirt or turtleneck as listed above
  
• All must be pullover style or cardigan style.
• Must be appropriately sized in shoulders, sleeves and length
  
• Bottom of sweatshirt, sweater or sweater vest may not extend more than 4 inches below the belt.
  
• Clothing may have brand logos no larger than 1 ½" by 1 ½".

NOT ALLOWED

• Oversized clothing
  
• Zippers, snaps, etc.
  
• Sleeveless or cap sleeved sweatshirts
  
• Shrugs
  
• Short vest or sweater above the waistline
  
• Tight-fitting sweaters

• Shoes/boots may be any color or pattern.
  
• Shoes must be leather-like or canvas lace up, loafer type or tennis shoe.
  
• Closed-toe mule style or closed-toe slides are acceptable.
  
• Sandals/open-toed shoes must have a back strap.
  
• If socks are worn, they must match each other and may be any solid color.
  
• Tights, leggings or hosiery may be any solid color.
  
• Shoes must be a matching pair.
  
• Shoes must be tied or fastened at all times.

NOT ALLOWED

• Shoe(s) that are offensive, disruptive or gang-related.
  
• Flip flops
• Open-toed shoes without a back strap
  
• Checks, stripes, lettering, wording, or designs on socks, hosiery, leggings or tights
  
• Fishnet type hosiery
  
• Fur boots or boots trimmed with fur

These items will be allowed to be worn inside the school building:

• SOLID COLOR fleece or SOLID
  COLOR lightweight jackets, brand logos no larger than 1½" x 1½", no denim
  
• SOLID COLOR fleece or SOLID COLOR lightweight jackets with school-approved logos, no denim
• Approved school jackets (for feeder school or school of attendance only)
  
• All items in this category MUST be worn over standard dress shirt and must be appropriately sized.
  

• Any school organization may offer a shirt to students as an optional purchase.
  
• Shirt must be polo-style, oxford-style or a sweater or sweatshirt and meet all criteria listed in the shirt section.
  
• Shirts may have a principal-approved school related logo.
  
• Students may wear approved school shirts or school organization shirts to school any day.
  
• Shirts will be worn with approved pants/shorts/skirts as listed above.
  
• JROTC uniforms may be worn weekly as designated by JROTC instructors.
  
• Students who wear special clothing for the courses they are taking (such as Clinical Rotation) must be in school standard dress when not in that class.
  
• Principals may designate certain days per year as exempt days and will determine what can be worn on those days. Principal decisions are final.

• Traditional senior shirts that are offered to the seniors at each high school may be purchased by graduating seniors.
  
• Design of shirt must be approved by the principal.
  
• These shirts will be in official school colors and may be a t-shirt style.
  
• Seniors may wear principal-approved senior shirts at any time.
  
• Shirts must be tucked in at all times.

Organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts will not be allowed to wear uniforms to school.

• Standard Dress

• High school students may wear a college-themed sweatshirt, hoodie, or polo shirt.
  
• The college-themed shirt must be from an accredited four-year university, junior college, or community college.
• The logo must be an official college logo or theme from the university or college.
  
• The principal will have sole responsibility for approving the college-themed shirt and decisions of the principal are final.
  
• Not Allowed: college-themed clothing that contains derogatory, demeaning, or offensive material/language

• Students who have special needs may apply for an exception from the stated guidelines. 
• Exceptions will be evaluated and approved by the building principal.

• Startling, unusual or immodest attire of any sort shall not be permitted. Fads in hairstyles, clothing or anything designed to attract attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct of the classroom or campus is not permitted.
  
• Top and bottom clothing items cannot be the same color.
• All clothing must be appropriately sized (not too tight or baggy).
  
• All clothing items must be properly hemmed or cuffed.
  
• Torn, ripped, frayed or cut clothing will not be allowed.
  
• Clothing and other articles that are considered "gang related" are not allowed.
  
• Hats, scarves, ties, bandanas, hair coverings and sweatbands are not to be worn by students except under circumstances approved by the principal.
  
• Hoods are not to be worn on the head inside the building.
  
• Clothing that is leather, suede, vinyl, corduroy or denim materials are not allowed.
  
• Spandex, nylon or stretch-type materials are not allowed.
  
• No designs are allowed in eyebrows.
  
• Hair is to be clean and well groomed. Unusual coloring or excessive hairstyles that may include "tails", "designs", "puffs", etc. are prohibited (see Figure 1).
  
• Tongue rings and visible body piercings, other than earrings on girls, are not allowed.
  
• Inappropriate tattoos and body art are not allowed.
  
• Grills or temporary decorations on teeth are not to be worn.
  
• Excessive makeup is not allowed.

• Hair is to be out of the eyes, not extend below the bottom of the earlobes and does not extend over the collar.
  
• Mustaches, beards and other facial hair are prohibited.
  
• Earrings are prohibited including spacers and gauges.

Girls: Additional Guidelines

• Low cut apparel is not allowed.
• Girls must wear sufficient undergarments.
• Ear gauges are not allowed.

The Mesquite Independent School District's philosophy states that the district is responsible for the development of the whole student; this includes good dress/grooming habits. It is the responsibility of all professional personnel to administer the dress and grooming guidelines.

School officials have the authority to take up from students any items that are not allowed to be worn or carried in their possession.

If any teacher is unsuccessful in gaining student cooperation and conformity to the dress and grooming guidelines, the teacher will refer the student(s) to the principal's office. Students whose dress/grooming appropriateness is questionable will also be referred to the principal's office. If the principal, or designee, determines the student's dress and/or grooming is inappropriate, he/she will advise the student of why the student's dress/grooming fails to conform to the guidelines and allow the student to give an explanation.

The principal, or designee, shall notify one of the parents or the legal guardian of the student whose dress/grooming is inappropriate. First-time offenders will be treated as Class I violators. In cases of repeat offenders, parents or legal guardians will be informed that the student must conform to the guidelines before returning to classes. Students under eighteen (18) years of age whose parents cannot be contacted will be kept at school but will not be permitted to attend classes until they conform to the guidelines.