School dress codes are becoming a controversial topic among students and parents. More recently, some districts in Massachusetts have instituted stricter bans on what kids are allowed to wear in school, which has earned some protests, according to Today.
The list of restrictions seem to be getting longer every year that the dress codes are being criticized for being sexist or for body shaming students, especially the girls, according to MTV.
On the flipside, entrepreneurs are seeing this as an opportunity. In fact, among elementary school kids, the "modesty short" is slowly becoming must-have school wear, according to the Wall Street Journal. Retailers also call these the "tumble" shorts or "privacy" shorts that younger girls wear under their dresses. The garment looks similar to thigh-hugging biker shorts.
"They prevent your underwear from showing and thus prevent schoolyard teasing and embarrassment," says retailer Francie Pants in the WSJ report.
The modesty shorts are different from a slip, the undergarment developed in the 1940s, and they're more adaptable to wear under flowing skirts and miniskirts. The modern undergarment is also teaching young girls on what it means to dress appropriately. "As a mother, I knew she would be protecting her privacy even before she was old enough to understand why," said Maggie Storm, who has a young daughter.
"The trend these days is to empower your girl and have her feel confident that she can be active without having to limit her movements," said another modesty shorts retailer Cynthia Jamin via WSJ.
Modesty shorts for elementary school girls retail from $10 to $18 depending on the brand and material, the report stated.
