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A North Carolina high school made an awkward video about what girls can and can’t wear to prom

Find out what's too sexy for this small town high school.

 

Nia Wesley

IRL

Posted on Feb 10, 2016   Updated on May 27, 2021, 5:53 am CDT

Believe it or not, this shimmery number is considered inappropriate to wear to prom for one North Carolina high school. 

CvHS Slideshow

It’s more than three inches above the knee and it does not meet sweetheart neckline standards. In fact Cleveland High School had a lot to say when it comes to how young women should be dressed at this year’s prom. In a video labeled “Prom Propriate”—uploaded in December but making the rounds this week—students in Mr. Wood’s mass media class break down a dress code that some students say makes it impossible to find a prom dress.

The video shows a student panel judging different images of elaborate dresses holding up check signs for what’s appropriate, and Xs for what’s not. In addition to the school-approved video, a detailed slide show drills down further. 

The dress code includes no splits that are more than three inches above the knee, no dresses below the sweetheart neckline, no nude colors, absolutely no midriff, and definitely not any sheer material. Students took to Twitter and Facebook to express their thoughts toward the air-tight dress code.

Their school isn’t the only one making headlines over a prom dress code. Another school in California is on the front lines after making girls attending prom sign a contract agreeing that they would leave the event if their gown didn’t meet dress standards.

Controversy over whether the video made by Cleveland High unfairly targets young women is getting a lot of reaction. The idea that strict dress codes police women’s clothing choices and not young men’s ability to control themselves around women in revealing clothing is something that opposers to the “Prom Propriate” video stress. School officials say they just want everyone to enjoy the big day without any confusion. 

Screengrab via Cleveland High School

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*First Published: Feb 10, 2016, 10:34 pm CST