Through dress codes, schools establish rules governing student appearance. This study examined stated rationales for dress and appearance codes in secondary school handbooks; 182 handbooks were received. Of 150 handbooks containing a rationale, 117 related dress and appearance regulations to students' right to a non-disruptive educational environment; 107 to students' right to a safe and healthy environment at school; and four to avoiding gang activity. Analysis revealed vague, overly broad wording. If carefully written, dress code rationales can protect individual rights of free expression within collective rights of all students to a safe school environment free from disruption and distraction. Suggestions are provided for contributions that family and consumer sciences teachers and students can make. (Contains 1 table.)