.png)
A school has been branded ‘creepy’ after it asked for ‘front and back photos’ of girls in their prom dresses or they risk being banned.
Oxford High School, in Alabama in the US, told female students to submit photos of themselves wearing their new dresses to ensure the outfits meet ‘dress code standards’.
But while the girls had to share snaps of their dresses, the male students were simply told that they must wear ‘tuxedos or suits only'.
Advert
After being shared on 18 January, the post was flooded with comments from social media users who slammed the rules.
Oxford High School swiftly removed the post and has since said it ‘regrets the confusion’ around the ‘unapproved guidelines’ and says new guidelines have now been published.
The original post read: "Females: Evening gowns and cocktail dresses - No transparent material, no slits more than six inches from the middle of the knee, no dress length can be shorter than six inches from the middle of the knee all the way around (both front and back from the middle of the knee), no revealing necklines (armpit line) or back lines.
Advert
"Dresses may be sleeveless or strapless provided all from the armpit-line to mid-thigh are covered. No two-piece dresses with midriff showing will be allowed.
"All dresses must be approved by [name redacted] prior to March 6 (No exceptions). Email pictures to [email redacted] of YOU wearing your prom attire - Front and Back views.
"Keep in mind that if approved via email and the dress doesn't meet dress code standards, then you will not be permitted to attend prom.
"Make sure that pictures reflect the best possible views. If you do not get pre-approved, then you will not be allowed to attend prom.
Advert
"Males: Tuxedo and suits only - No jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, caps, or oversized clothing. Top hats and canes will be allowed provided they are used properly."
Commenting on the original post, one Facebook user wrote: "Sending in pictures is absurd. They know the dress code.
"If they show up and see a violation, deal with it then. Keeping a catalogue of minors like this is actually really creepy."
Advert
Another said: "It just all seems so creepy to me. Requiring teenage girls to send selfies to adult administrators if they want to attend the school dance? Something just rubs me wrong about that.”
Local resident Lizzie Buckalew said: "When I first saw the post, I thought 'it's got to be satirical' and it wasn't.
"The dress code was pretty extreme. That school is known for being stricter on dress code, but I was even shocked they went as far as they did.
"When they said to 'email a photo of you wearing the dress' and to 'get the best possible views possible', I thought 'what?'.
Advert
"That was honestly the most concerning part - they're asking these young girls to send in pictures.
"For boys it was 'tell the dudes not to wear jeans'. That's crazy to me.”
Ashley Stilwell, Oxford City Schools' Public Information Officer, said: "Last week, in an effort to provide students with ample notice and to avoid dress code issues that could potentially delay or prohibit a student’s entry to the prom, Oxford High School published guidelines regarding the dress code for the prom.
"Unfortunately, the guidelines that were initially posted were not routed through the appropriate approval channels and had to be rescinded as they were not an accurate reflection of the procedures the school will implement for this year’s prom.
"We regret the confusion the posting of the initial, unapproved guidelines created. The school’s official, approved guidelines regarding the prom dress code have now been published.
"The approved guidelines do not require pre-approval of any attire, including prom dresses, but make clear that students must be in compliance with the dress code in order to enter the prom."
Topics: Parenting
Claire Reid