I think kids should be able to wear whatever they like so long as it doesn't interfere with learning. There's no accounting for poor taste in this world, ya know. But, at the same time, there should be a level of decency, etc.
I'm torn because I beleive that much of high school should be preparing you for life after high school. And, in the real world, most of us have dress codes. I'm not allowed to have a mohawk or wear belly shirts to my office. It would be considered unprofessional. I guess I don't see how common sense and decency should be different in my office than in your high school. On the other hand, I hate the rules and "guidelines". I wish all people could just exercise some common sense and we'd all avoid this over legislation in all parts of society, not just school dress codes.

As far as the opinion that dress codes are good because some kids can afford more expensive clothes than others....
Sorry kids, but that's just life. As long as you live there will be people with more money and more things than you have. If you can't deal with it, then you'll never make it. I'd like to have a BMW like my friend who married better. But, that's not going to happen. What should we do, ban BMW's so it doesn't hurt my self esteem.?

And, it pains me to see how many kids are graduating from US schools without even the slightest grasp of the english language. Some can't read, others can't tell you whether the Mona Lisa is a painting or a sculpture. Others can't multiply or divide. It's really sad. So, something must be done. I just don't think dress codes are going to help all that much. Maybe we all don't need to "express ourselves" so much. Maybe we need to learn to read??? Take the title of this thread, for instance? Typo or misspelled word? Far or Fare?