Parent to Parent: Making the Grade: Too sexy for school

Britney, and kid sister Jaime Lynn, Paris and even Justin and Usher style takes center stage in Hollywood, but when it comes to the classroom.... Fans better not follow suit!

Gail Schechter, mother
"They dress very provocatively and they have their breasts sticking out and belly's sticking out. And girls in the 10-14 ranges seem to want to too."

Susan Sahle, mother
"You see short skirts, you see boys with their underwear hanging out of the back of their pants."

Experts say before your kids button up their back to school outfits, parents should lay down their version of back to school dress rules.

Pamela Willsey
"I've talked about with some parents and with children is the fact that just like I dress a certain way when I go to work, you need to dress in a certain way when you go to school because school is your job."

Before the back to school shopping begins, parents should:
Talk to their child about what they see in magazines or on TV.
Start clothing conversations as early as elementary school.
Know the school dress code policies.

For girls, the biggest problem is showing too much skin. Instead of short skirts and spaghetti straps, compromise. Go with longer, fuller skirts, and cute comfy tees, add boots instead of high heels. Tight stretchy pants are often a no-no for the classroom, so instead try skinny jeans, a cool and trendy look that will make both the student and parent happy. Short shorts and plunging neckline get a failing grade, instead, drop the hemline, and go for more coverage. A jean skirt or a long short works well, and cover the cleavage with a cute hoodie sweater.
 
Things change a little when it comes to outfitting the guys.

Pamela Willsey
"For boys, the issues tend to be the new gangster look or inappropriate sayings on t-shirts."

Experts say trade in oversized pants for ones that fit. Boys can still sport the baggy look but do it in a more appropriate way. And as far as t-shirts, a rule of thumb, if it's offensive -it's off! Go for sporty tee's or button up shirts, you can even layer the look.

Sarah Haiminis, Village Kids
"You can really put together a really nice look that's appropriate and that is going to look good for school."

So with a lot of conversation and a little compromise, both parents and students can "Make the Grade" with a look that gets an A plus. 

Village Kids
35 Lincoln St Ste A
Newton, MA 02461
Phone: (617) 332-7654

(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)