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Dress Code

 

Cardinal Newman High School Daily Dress Code

 2025-2026 School Year

Dress Code Overview

Daily Wear:

  • Well-fitted, solid-colored pants (denim is permitted, but not blue denim)
  • CN polo
  • CN outerwear preferred
  • Maroon, gray, or black sweatshirts without a CN logo are permitted only if a CN polo is worn underneath - PLAIN sweatshirts, no other logos permitted.
  • CN skirts with the CN logo are permitted
  • Lululemon dance pants are permitted

Shoes:

  • No crocs
  • No slides
  • No sandals
  • No Birkenstocks/Ugg slip-ons

Fridays:

  • CN sweats or blue jeans are permitted
  • Must be paired with a CN t-shirt
  • Cheerleaders: On game days, cheerleaders are permitted to wear their cheer uniforms

Liturgy Days:

  • Dress shoes are required (new addition)
  • Skirts are not permitted
  • Khaki pants and button-down white shirts; ties for males.

Tops: Shirts and Outerwear

  • A CN Polo (purchased through the Bird Cage) is required unless the student wears fully zipped or buttoned CN-approved outerwear.
  • Outerwear (Jacket, Sweater, Sweatshirt): All outerwear is considered part of the CNHS dress code. The only sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets worn during the school day must be CN Logo Wear or solid black, grey, or maroon, without any designs, logos, or patterns.
    • All outerwear must be zipped or buttoned appropriately. A student wearing CN outerwear and not taking it off or leaving it unzipped or unbuttoned does not need to wear a CN polo underneath.
  • Senior students can wear any college sweatshirt after Easter Break

Bottoms: Pants, Shorts, and Skorts

  • Pants:
    • Students must wear solid-colored pants in grey, black, navy blue, or tan/khaki.  Please note that blue denim is not permitted on any day except Fridays.
    • Pants should be appropriately sized, fitting comfortably without being excessively tight or baggy.
    • Pants with holes, distressing, or frayed bottoms are not allowed.
    • Pants must not be denim, camouflage, or fatigues. Sweatpants, leggings (including flared or straight styles), jeggings, and athletic warm-ups are prohibited.
  • Shorts:
    • Students may wear solid-colored shorts in grey, black, or tan/khaki.
    • Shorts must have a minimum 7-inch inseam and/or reach at least mid-thigh.
    • Athletic shorts are not permitted.
    • Shorts are not allowed on liturgy dress days.
  • Skorts (for female students):
    • Skorts should be mid-thigh or above the knee in solid colors of grey, black, or tan/khaki and purchased through Land's End. 
    • Skorts must be appropriately sized and fit comfortably without being excessively tight or baggy.
    • Leggings or tights are permitted under appropriate skorts. Leggings or tights must be solid neutral colors in black, cream, white, or gray.

Friday Dress Code

  • On Fridays (except Formal/Mass days), students may wear the CNHS logo-wear t-shirts and bottoms. This includes well-fitted denim blue jeans, CNHS team warm-ups, or CN logo wear purchased through the Bird Cage.
  • Students who do not wish to wear school-affiliated apparel are expected to wear the regular dress code.

Liturgy Dress Code

  • Young Women must wear:
    • Well-fitted, non-ripped tan khaki pants.
    • White button-down shirt with a collar.
    • Solid-colored dress shoes with no more than a 2-inch heel (closed-toe required).
  • Young Men must wear:
    • Well-fitted, non-ripped tan khaki pants.
    • Button-down white dress shirt with a tie.
    • Solid-color dress shoes.


General Guidelines

  • All clothing must be neat, clean, and free from tears, rips, cuts, and holes.
  • Clothing should be modest, avoiding excessively tight or revealing items.
  • Shoes: Closed-toe shoes or sandals with backs (backs must be manufactured with the shoe, not handmade) must be worn at all times. Laces must be tied, and straps must be appropriately worn. Students are not to wear Crocs, Ugg slippers, or Ugg-Tasman.This also applies to modified dress days unless the Dean has given specific permission. 
  • Hair: Dyeing, bleaching, or tinting hair to unnatural colors (e.g., blue, pink, green, silver, or neon shades) is prohibited. Hair must be naturally colored and well-groomed. Facial hair is not permitted; individuals must be clean-shaven.
  • Hats: Hats are not an approved part of the dress code. Sweatshirt hoods are not to be worn in class. Hoods may be worn outside.
  • Sunglasses: Sunglasses may not be worn indoors.
  • Piercings: Only ear and nose piercings are permitted. Nose piercings are limited to a stud no larger than 2mm. Students may have up to three ear piercings per ear.
  • Jewelry: Jewelry should be limited and in good taste. The administration has the final decision regarding the appropriateness of jewelry worn. Earring studs are limited to 5 mm in size.
  • Makeup and Nails: The use of makeup is discouraged. Any makeup and fingernail styles should be modest, limited, and in good taste. The administration has the final decision regarding the appropriateness of makeup and nail styles.
  • Tattoos: Visible tattoos are not permitted.

Any student with questions about the dress code is invited to visit the Dean of Students' office to clarify details or to show the office an outfit or hairstyle for approval.


Modified Dress DaysThere are occasional “Modified Dress Days” during spirit week, retreats, and special fundraisers.

Students may not wear:

  • Pajamas, sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, or jeggings (as pants), except as specified on theme-dress days.
  • Shorts that are shorter than mid-thigh 
  • Tank tops or sleeveless shirts.
  • Crop tops or tube tops.
  • Clothing that is excessively tight. Clothing must fit properly.
  • Clothing that sags, bags, or is low-cut, exposing undergarments or excessive skin.
  • Clothing with references to politics, alcohol, sex, drugs, racist or sexist sayings.
  • Clothing containing objectionable references, symbols, words, advertising, or propaganda is against Cardinal Newman's philosophy.

Final AuthorityThe administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any attire, hairstyle, or accessory in alignment with the school’s philosophy and standards.