Seoul Foreign Middle School Dress Code Standardized Dress at Seoul Foreign Middle School is reasonable and developmentally appropriate. It is not meant to focus on every unacceptable detail, but instead asks that students respect the spirit of the code. Clothing that meets the requirements can be obtained from a variety of vendors. As tailors are plentiful in Korea, parents may also choose to have clothing made. Faculty and administration determine whether or not students are abiding by the spirit of this dress code. Students who choose to repeatedly ignore the dress code or test the limits risk disciplinary action that may include but not be limited to: A change of clothes; A requirement to purchase acceptable wear from the Spirit Shop; Being sent home or asking a parent to bring a change of clothing; Requiring a parent conference; Detention; Restriction from participating in after-school activities Students need to follow the standardized dress code during school hours and at all school events including field trips (the only exception is sporting events students participate in and/or grade level team days that require theme colors). When students go on overnight trips with their grade levels, faculty will determine appropriate dress. Relaxed dress days will be defined and announced periodically by the Middle School Administration and often in partnership with the MS Senate. Students must wear closed-toed black or brown leather-like shoes to school each day. These should be of one solid color with no alternate color logo or ornamentation. Hats and sunglasses are for outside the buildings only. Hair should be conservative style and color. Hair should not cover eyes. Ear piercing is for girls only and earrings must be modest in style and length. Neither girls nor boys may have any other piercings. Boys Slacks and Shorts: Long trouser-like slacks, khaki or black (see below for color information) Shorts, khaki or black, no more than 1-inch (2.5cm) above the knee Must fit appropriately not too tight or too loose Cargo-style shorts or trousers with large external pockets are not allowed. Must be worn at the waistline, with appropriate belt or elastic waistband No baggy/sagging or dragging on the floor No tears or drawings Belt, if worn, needs to be black or brown No obvious denim-like look with outer contrast stitching etc. Cotton or wool No logos or labels No underwear showing outside of the slacks or shorts
Shirts: Cotton polo style, with collar and buttons at neck Shirt must be plain white or red (see below for color information) May be short or long sleeve Shirt may not be cropped or torn May be worn tucked in OR it needs to be long enough to cover belt when arms are raised No logos, emblems, or stripes (unless sold by The Spirit Shop to conform to our dress code) White or light-colored undershirt may be worn, but not show outside or through the top shirt. Undershirt may not have any text, pictures, or logos displayed. An Oxford type white cotton collared dress shirt is also acceptable wear. Shoes: Plain leather-like black or brown shoes, one color Soles must be black or brown to match the upper part of the shoe Any stripes or logos must be same color as shoe Shoestrings must be same color as shoe No flip flops of any kind No slippers or Crocs Socks: Ankle socks that are brown, black, white, khaki Patterns in socks can be red, white, or black Girls Slacks and Shorts: Same as for boys (see above). Skorts/Skirts: Same plain colors, khaki or black, as shorts Must be no more than 1 inch (2.5cm) above the knee Shirts: Same as for boys (see above) Girls may layer undershirts or tank tops that hang below their polo shirts. These need to be black, gray, white, or red. Shoes: Plain, leather-like, black or brown shoes -- one color (flats no high-heels or wedges) Soles must be black or brown Any stripes or logos must be same color as shoe Shoestrings must be same color as shoe No ornamentation (flowers, decorations, etc.) No flip flops of any kind No slippers or Crocs
Sandals, if worn, need to be low-heeled with a back-strap and covered toes Socks/Tights: Flesh-tone nylons or panty hose Tights that match khaki, black, or white Knee high or ankle socks that are brown, black, white, khaki Patterns in socks can be red, white, or black No leggings (tights that extend down to the ankle) or leg warmers Where to Purchase The Middle School favors the khaki and red color found in the Land s End catalog and on their web site (www.landsend.com) in the School Uniform section. Land s End clothes are sold in SEARS stores in the United States along with their mail order and online business. Other companies such as JC Penney s, Old Navy, The Gap or Bean Pole are also quality companies to purchase standardized dress items. It is possible to order from many of these companies online and have your order delivered to Korea. Comparable clothes may be found in stores in Seoul as well and may be purchased at Shinsegae, Bean Pole, and The Gap. Clothing purchased in The Spirit Shop (sweatshirts, collared shirts, and pants) will be considered standardized dress as long as they fit the above guidelines. T-shirts from The Spirit Shop will be reserved for school spirit days and sporting events. T-shirts will not be considered standardized dress, with the exception of House t-shirts on Fridays (see below). Fridays House t-shirts will be provided to all Middle School students prior to Field Day in the fall. These t-shirts may be worn in place of the standard red or white polo on Fridays for the rest of the school year. Shoes, slacks, shorts, etc. must still meet the usual dress code rules. Winter Wear at SFS Turtlenecks may only be in true red or white (no black) and cotton or cotton blend no sweater knit turtlenecks. Slacks similar to these are acceptable in black or khaki. Elastic waist cotton pants will be provided in the office if you need a change.
Wool, cotton, and corduroy blends are acceptable, but need to not sit too low on the waist. Lycra blends or washed-out/faded jean looking pants are not acceptable. If slacks are distractingly tight, a student may be asked to change. This will be at teacher or office discretion. We have looser wear available in the office for students to change into. Spirit Shop sweatshirts are acceptable for wearing in classrooms. Students need to have a red or white polo shirt or turtleneck under such sweatshirts. Other sweatshirts or sweaters are not allowed in the classrooms. Winter coats, scarves, gloves, and winter caps may be colors other than red, white, black, or khaki, but when taken off indoors, standardized dress prevails. Coats should be placed in lockers during classes. Winter shoes may be similar to those pictured here and must be solid black, dark or light brown. For safety reasons, no wedges or heels are allowed. Middle School Student Casual Dress Guidelines (for special events when Standardized Dress does not apply) Essentially, students are encouraged to use good judgment. The rules of the day are safety and modesty. MS faculty and administration will determine what is considered to be safe and/or immodest. Guidelines are made clear to students. Students who choose not to abide by the spirit of the guidelines will be asked to change or to go home. The MS appreciates parents partnering with us on this so that we can focus less on dress and more on learning. Dress should be modest. Excessively sloppy, gangster or immodest dress is unacceptable. Clothes should be free from holes and frayed cuffs and should not drag on the ground. Avoid overly baggy or sagging clothes which expose underwear or are dangerously loose. Shoes may not be slippers, Crocs, or flip flops of any kind.
Girls should dress according to the following rules when casual dress is allowed: Avoid skin-tight clothing and translucent fabrics. Skirts and shorts should be no shorter than one inch above the knee when standing. Shirts should be long enough that when sitting and standing, student s midriff (belly) or back is not exposed. Shirt necklines should not immodestly expose the upper body. Spaghetti straps and exposed bra straps are not acceptable. If attending an event that allows choices of activities, girls are advised to bring a pair of athletic shoes if they would like to participate in gym events. (for their safety and to protect the gym flooring) PE Uniforms Middle School students are expected to change into the required uniform for PE classes. A separate pair of athletic shoes should be used for PE classes. Information on uniforms and swimsuits will be given by the Physical Education and Aquatics teachers PE uniforms may be purchased from the SFS Spirit Shop