Skip Navigation LinksBishop Montgomery High School > chapter-2-GENERAL INFORMATION > section-2-14-Dress/Uniform Code

​

DRESS CODE

Our entire dress code is based upon modesty, neatness, cleanliness, and good taste.  Uniform regulations are to be observed while at school or at any school function, including field trips, unless the Discipline Office gives specific regulations differing from those listed below.  School authorities reserve the right to determine whether a style of dress, make-up or accessories or a style or length of hair is appropriate and in keeping with the philosophy of Bishop Montgomery High School.  Admis­sion to class can be denied because of any violation of the uniform or dress codes, including hair styles, body piercing or tattoos.  Any student not observing the regulations will be detained in the Discipline Office and every attempt will be made to notify parents.  Violations or referrals will be issued for non‑compliance with uniform and hair codes.  Parent conferences and probationary status will be arranged for continued non-compliance of uniform infraction(s).  

BMHS UNIFORM: Bishop Montgomery is committed to a uniform.  Uniform items may only be purchased from Norman's Uniform Company (310 832-8342).

BOYS' & GIRLS' UNIFORM:

  • pants:  black twill
  • walking shorts:  black twill. Shorts for girls may not extend more than 4 inches above the knee.  Should the shorts extend more than 4 inches above the knee, your daughter will be issued a warning, and the length of the shorts will have to be corrected within one week from the date the warning is issued.  If the short length is not corrected in the time frame given the shorts will be confiscated and the privilege of wearing shorts to school relinquished for the students remaining time at BMHS. 
  • BMHS skirt:  the uniform skirt length may not extend more than 4 inches above the knee.  Should the skirt extend more than 4 inches, your daughter will be issued a warning, and the hem of the skirt will have to be corrected within one week from the date the warning is issued.  If the skirt length is not corrected in the time frame given the skirt will be confiscated and the privilege of wearing a uniform skirt to school relinquished for the students remaining time at BMHS.  Black opaque, white, or gray tights may be worn with skirts. Leggings and yoga pants are not allowed to be worn under the BMHS uniform skirts.
  • shirts/blouses:  white oxford, short sleeve or long sleeve, with BMHS logo.
  • polo shirt:  white/grey/black knit, short sleeve or long sleeve, with BMHS logo.
  • vest:  black/grey with BMHS logo
  • jackets:  (these are the only three options) windshirt (black) or polar fleece (grey or black) jacket or zippered jacket (black) with BMHS logo.  All outerwear must have the BMHS logo displayed.

 FOOTWEAR: Athletic shoes, dress, or casual shoe with closed toe and heel are allowed.  House shoes or moccasins are not considered shoes and are not acceptable.  Shoes must be worn at all times.  Any non-athletic shoe that extends above the ankle is considered a boot e.g. military boots, construction boots.  Combat style boots, Uggs, Slides, Crocs, and Sandals are prohibited. Black, white or gray tights may be worn under the BMHS uniform skirt/shorts.

OUTERWEAR OPTIONS: Only the following may be worn:
  • official Bishop Montgomery sweatshirt (black, white, gray, gold) may be worn over a uniform shirt (see above).  
  • Jackets:  Any official BMHS jacket is acceptable (e.g., lettermen jacket).  All jackets must be worn over a regulation shirt (see above)
ACCESSORIES/HAIR/MAKE-UP:
  • Undershirts may be worn under uniform shirts and must be solid white, gray, or black (free of graffiti/logos, etc.).  May be short or long sleeve or turtleneck.
  • Belts are not required.
  • Earrings:  Girls may wear two pairs of a moderate-style earring.  Male students are permitted to wear one small stud-style (up to 7mm in diameter), post earring on each earlobe outside of the academic day except for Senior Awards, Baccalaureate Mass, and Graduation. Earrings are prohibited for boys during the school day. Ear spacers are prohibited at all times.
  • Hair:  Styles for both males and females should be moderate and reflect neatness and good grooming.  Exaggerated styles and colors such as burgundy, pink, blue, green, orange, etc. are not permitted as determined by the Discipline Office.  Extreme or “faddish" hairstyles are not permitted.  Excessive bleaching, dying, and/or rinses to lighten or darken hair, mohawk style haircuts, shaved initials, numbers, or designs are deemed exaggerated and are therefore not allowed.  Boys must be clean-shaven (no beards).  If a student has a mustache it must be well groomed and may not extend past the upper lip.  Make-up and nail polish must be moderate.  The school reserves the right to interpret the meaning of the word moderate, and may ask a student to comply with request of school officials.

PROHIBITED: prohibited items include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Any ill-fitting item of clothing such as pants shorts, blouses, skirts, jackets, and/or BMHS sweatshirts that are too tight, oversized, baggy, too short, or very long.
  • Any non-BMHS sweatshirt, including hooded zippered fleece sweatshirts or any other solid-colored sweatshirt.     This also includes sweatshirts worn under regulation jackets or shirts.  Such items may be confiscated.
  • T-shirts, tanks, or camisoles with spaghetti straps worn as an outer garment
  • Undershirts displaying graphics, logos, emblems, or printing
  • Long underwear (if visible under skirt/shirt/shorts)
  • Frayed, ripped, or torn clothing
  • Leggings, stirrup pants, and yoga pants (or any other knit shorts or pants) when worn as pants as outerwear
  • Combat style boots
  • Combat style boots, Uggs, Slides, Crocs, and Sandals are prohibited.
  • Bike shorts/spandex pants
  • Sweatpants, sweatsuits, and pajama bottoms
  • Levi or denim jackets are not allowed on regular school days
  • Backpacks with inappropriate graphics /logos, emblems or printing
  • Tattoos/Body piercing other than ears
  • Nose rings/jewelry are prohibited
  • Watchcaps/beanies are not allowed during the school day or at any school related event
  • House shoes are not considered shoes and are not acceptable
  • Pajama bottoms

MISCELLANEOUS:
  • Uniform items are not to be tampered with other than normal alterations
  • Waistband must be worn at the waist

 
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETIC EVENTS: 

Attire with gang affiliation is not allowed.  The school's standards of modesty and good taste will prevail.  A student may be denied entry to the activity with disciplinary consequences if not dressed appropriately.

Senior Casual Day:  Seniors (pending approval of Senior privileges by the Administration) will have the opportunity of having a casual day on which students dress in casual wear. Students are to dress in a manner that is modest, clean and appropriate to a Catholic school academic environment. Attire for both males and females should fit properly and reflect modesty and good taste. On these days, Seniors are allowed to wear denim jeans or pants (no shorts) and blouses or shirts. Seniors are allowed to wear denim/jean jackets on these days.  Ladies are not permitted to wear dresses or skirts and ties are not required for the gentlemen. High heels are acceptable for the ladies but are not recommended for school days. Combat boots are prohibited. Both pants and shirts should be free of any graphic designs, holes, rips, or tears. Senior shirts or sweatshirts are acceptable. No sweatsuits or sweatpants. No ill-fitting clothes are accepted. Pants or shirts should not be too tight, oversized, baggy, too short, or very long. All policies with regards to school appropriate attire and modesty will apply, and students are still restricted by the items listed under the “prohibited items" of the Dress Code. While parents and students have the primary responsibility for personal appearance, the Administration is responsible for interpreting dress regulations. The Deans reserve the right to send home any student who does not adhere to the dress-code.

 SENIOR AWARDS, BACCALAUREATE MASS, AND GRADUATION DRESS CODE: 

Attire for both males and females should fit properly and reflect modesty and good taste.  Students may not wear denim on these dress up days. Please see dress code below.

 Gentlemen:  Necktie, dress shirt, dress slacks, dress shoes and socks must be worn.  Dress/sports coats are acceptable.  Earrings are not permitted at these events.  Gentlemen must be clean-shaven. If a student has a mustache it must be well groomed and may not extend past the upper lip.

 Ladies:  Dresses should have sleeves, which cover the shoulder (strapless or sleeveless dresses are not acceptable), have a solid back, and be business length. Dressy pant outfits are acceptable.  Dress shoes (closed heel or with back strap).  High heels are acceptable, but are not recommended.  Doc Marten or combat-type boots are unacceptable.  Business suits/jackets are acceptable.  Two pair of earrings may be worn, nose, lip, eyebrow jewelry is prohibited.

DRESS CODE FOR BMHS SPONSORED CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BANQUETS: 

All students are expected to adhere to BMHS' standards of modesty and good taste when dressing for a BMHS sponsored co-curricular activity.  Students who choose to deviate from the following guidelines and/or present themselves in attire deemed immodest and unacceptable by the Administration will not be admitted to the event. 

 Items prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • excessively baggy, excessively tight fitting, or torn clothing
  • pajama bottoms
  • hats of any kind, beanies
  • sunglasse​s
Gentlemen:
  • tight fitting ribbed tank tops
  • wallet chains
Ladies:
  • strapless dresses and blouses including tube tops
  • exposed bras and/or bra straps
  • low backed or backless shirts or dresses that fall below mid back
  • clothing that exposes the midriff and/or torso (including but not limited to sheer clothing items) or contains cut outs that expose the torso
  • skirts, dresses or shorts that are excessively short
  • display of excessive cleavage is inappropriate and unbecoming

​Dress Code for Homecoming/Prom

Gentlemen are required to wear tuxedos or suits.  Gentlemen may wear earrings, but cannot wear sunglasses, hats, gloves nor may they carry canes.  Nose, eyebrow, or lip piercing jewelry is not allowed.  Gentlemen must be clean shaven.  Shoes must be appropriate for a formal event.

Ladies may wear two pairs of earrings but may not wear sunglasses.  Fitted dresses may not be excessively tight. Dresses should be comfortable for dancing and sitting. The length of the dress must be floor or ankle length only, with solid material, not transparent, throughout. Strapless or backless dresses are not permitted.  Dresses may not show a bare midriff, contain cut-outs which expose the torso (front or back), nor may the back of the dress fall below mid-back. Ladies may wear a formal women's dress suit/tux.  Nose, eyebrow, lip piercing jewelry is not allowed.  Ladies are reminded that the display of excessive cleavage is inappropriate and unbecoming. Shoes must be appropriate for a formal event. 

The event venue requires that shoes remain on at all times while on the premises. Students' attire should be appropriate, modest, and in good taste. Please do not assume any liberties with these guidelines when you (or in the case of students with guest passes) purchase dress attire. All non-BMHS guests are required to conform to these guidelines. Anyone not adhering to the above stated guidelines will not be permitted to enter the dance, and will be sent home. In these cases, the bid money will not be refunded. Freshmen may not attend the Senior Prom but are welcome to attend the Homecoming dance. Guests over the age of 20 are not permitted at any school dance. The school reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person not properly attired.

​Color Days
  1. Students must be in dress code (NOT a free dress day).
  2. Students may wear a solid crew neck t-shirt or sweatshirt in their class color free of inappropriate graphics, logos, emblems. Seniors may wear their official senior t-shirt.
  3. Blue or black jeans – no rips
  4. Class color socks are acceptable.
  5. Sweats, yoga pants, or leggings of any kind are not permitted.

Dress Code for Black and Gold/Retreat Days
Students must be in dress code (NOT a free dress day).
  1. Clothing may not be excessively tight or excessively baggy.
  2. Shorts and overalls are not permitted.
  3. The following are the only acceptable black and gold deviations from the standard BMHS dress code:
    1. Black, gold or white solid color crew neck or polo shirts (NO inappropriate logos or graphics on any article of clothing)
    2. BMHS spirit shirt
    3. Black, gold or white solid color crew neck sweatshirts
    4. BMHS t-shirts or sweatshirts
    5. Black or blue jeans – no rips
    6. Denim/jean jackets
    7. Sweats of any kind are not permitted during the school day nor at on-campus retreats.

​Denim Day Dress Code
​Students must be in dress code (NOT a free dress day).  Clothing may not be excessively tight or excessively baggy.

The following are the only acceptable denim day deviations from the standard BMHS dress code:
    1. BMHS spirit shirt
    2. BMHS t-shirts or sweatshirts
    3. blue or black jeans – no rips.  Shorts, capris, and overalls are not permitted
    4. denim/jean jackets
    5. BMHS sweats purchased through Norman's uniform with the BMHS logo
    6. Khaki pants
    7. Uggs​


​
© 2016 The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, a California corporation sole.