Upper School San Jose Campus Dress Code

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The Bolles School dress code is designed to help create an environment conducive to learning. All students should dress in good taste in a mode reflective of the Bolles tradition and philosophy. Therefore, clothing and hairstyles that create a distraction are not allowed. In addition, all students are to remain dressed appropriately while on campus during the school day (8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.).

Appropriate dress for girls shall be:
GENERAL APPEARANCE
 • Clothing that is neat and clean with no holes or frayed edges.
• Hair that is neat, clean and of a natural color.

BLOUSES/SHIRTS
• Shirts must be an oxford-style dress shirt of the appropriate size with either button-down or fly collar.
• Shirts may be either long or short-sleeved but the sleeve length must extend a minimum of 6" from the top of the shoulder.
• Fabric must be cotton or a cotton blend and either a solid color, vertical stripe, or conservative pattern, and must not be sheer or tight-fitting.
• Shirts must be buttoned to within 2" of the collarbone.
 • Shirts must be tucked into the skirt or pants, or have a tail designed to be worn untucked, and of a sufficient length to cover the midriff at all times.
• Knit (golf style) pullover, collared shirts with a Bolles logo may be worn on “School Spirit Days” (typically Wednesdays), or any other days designated by the School. (A variety of these shirts is available for purchase from the Campus Store.)

 SKIRTS
• Skirts may be pleated or straight with a zippered waist (no elastic or drawstring waistbands).
• The fabric must be cotton (poplin, twill, or chino), cotton blend, or wool and may not be sheer, elastic, knit, gauze, or “clinging.” While conservative patterns are permitted, there may be no applied ornamentation (metallic, embroidery, beading, etc.)
• The hemline must be even and not greater than 3" from the top of the knee or longer than midcalf.
• Skirts with sewn-on pockets (patch pockets), pockets outlined with stitching or with seams having exposed stitching are not permitted.

SLACKS/PANTS
• Pants must be of the appropriate size and may be pleated or flat-front, with a zippered waist (no elastic or drawstring waistbands).
• The fabric may be cotton (poplin, twill, or chino), cotton blend, or wool and may not be sheer, elastic, knit, gauze, or “clinging.”
• The color may be solid or with a conservative stripe and must be ankle-length.
• There may be no applied ornamentation (metallic, embroidery, beading, etc.).
• Pants with sewn-on pockets (patch pockets), pockets outlined with stitching, or with seams having exposed stitching are not permitted.
• Skinny leg, capri-style, gaucho, harem, or yoga pants are not permitted.

SHOES
• Backless shoes are permitted if they have a closed toe.
• Shoes may have heels no higher than 1.5" and no narrower than the width of the shoe.
• Dress boots are permitted if they comply with the heel restriction above. UGG-type boots may only be worn if the temperature is predicted to fall below 40 degrees. Boots of any type may only be worn with slacks and may not be worn with skirts.
• Flip-flops, athletic shoes, Teva, Sanuk, or Birkenstock-style sandals, and shoes that tie around the ankle with ribbons or strings are unacceptable.

OUTERWEAR
• Coats, blazers, sweaters, and Bolles sweatshirts or letter jackets are permitted when a regulation dress shirt is worn underneath. In addition, sweatshirts with a college or university logo are also acceptable attire.

ACCESSORIES
• Belts of appropriate width and design must be worn when the apparel has belt loops. In addition, over-sized belt buckles or buckles with logos, flags, names, or other symbols are not permitted.
• Stockings/Socks must be a solid color and material.
• Hats, bandanas, visors, or scarves worn on the head during the school day are not permitted.

Some examples of inappropriate dress for girls:
• Dresses of any type or style
• Patch Pockets on pants
• Camouflage or denim fabric of any color in any style
• Shorts, skorts, or culottes
• Formal or semi-formal attire
• Dramatic jewelry, accessories, or visible body piercing accessories
• Long sleeves worn under a short-sleeved collared shirt
• Undergarments with logos or graphics that can be seen through a regulation dress shirt
• Any style of dress deemed extreme or provocative
• Skirts, slacks or blouses constructed of a sheer material
• Yoga pants, skinny leg pants

Appropriate dress for boys shall be:
GENERAL APPEARANCE
• Clothing that is neat and clean with no holes or frayed edges.
• Boys’ hair must be worn in its natural growing condition and in its naturally occurring color. Boys’ hair that is dyed an unnatural color, braided, twisted, spiked, or cut into, for examples, “Mohawk,” “Punk,” “Mullet,” “Dreadlocks,” “Emo,” or other non-conventional styles, is prohibited.
• Boys are to be clean-shaven. Beards, mustaches, or sideburns below the bottom of the ear are prohibited.

SHIRTS
• Shirts must be an oxford-style dress shirt with either button-down or fly collar.
• Shirts may be either long or short-sleeved but the sleeve length must extend a minimum of 6" from the top of the shoulder.
• Fabric must be cotton or a cotton blend and either a solid color, vertical stripe, or conservative pattern.
• Shirts must be tucked into the pants at all times.
• Knit (golf style) pullover, collared shirts with a Bolles logo may be worn on “School Spirit Days” (typically Wednesdays), or any other days designated by the School. (A variety of these shirts is available for purchase from the Campus Store.)

SLACKS/PANTS
• Pants may be pleated or flat-front.
• The fabric may be cotton (poplin, twill, or chino), cotton blend, or wool.
• The color shall be conservative and may be solid or with a subtle stripe (no Madras, patchwork, or figured).

SHOES
• Dress shoes and socks. Shoes must be leather (not canvas). Work, cowboy, or hunting boots are not allowed; nor are athletic-style shoes, slippers, or Sanuk-style shoes (either leather or canvas). Standard-style leather deck/boat shoes (e.g. “Topsiders”), in either solid brown or tan, are allowed for both boys and girls.

OUTERWEAR
• Sport coats, blazers, sweaters, and Bolles sweatshirts or letter jackets are permitted when a regulation dress shirt is worn underneath. In addition, sweatshirts with a college or university logo are also acceptable attire.

ACCESSORIES
• Belts of appropriate width and design must be worn. In addition, over-sized belt buckles or buckles with logos, flags, names, or other symbols are not permitted.
• Appropriate ties are required (no bolo, string, cord, etc. ties). Some examples of inappropriate dress for boys:
• Denim or camouflage fabric of any color in any style.
• Formal or semi-formal attire.
• Long sleeves worn under a short-sleeved collared shirt.
• Undershirts with logos or graphics that can be seen through a regulation dress shirt.
• Vented (fishing), Madras, “Hawaiian-style,” or other non-dress shirts.
• Pants with sewn-on pockets (patch pockets), cargo-style pockets, pockets outlined with stitching, or with seams having exposed stitching • Hats, caps, or visors worn on the head during the school day.
• Any style of dress deemed extreme or provocative.

Students or parents who have any questions concerning the suitability of particular items of apparel or any matter of personal appearance should feel free to contact the dean of students for consideration of the questions. Certainly, such inquiry should precede the decision to purchase apparel or to alter personal appearance.

The dress code offers students guidelines within which to exercise choice as well as responsibility. Meanwhile, students should keep in mind that the mission of The Bolles School is to provide a place for earnest and meaningful activity. Students who are unable to exercise their options within the guidelines of the dress code certainly should expect consequences.