Villanova expects students to project a positive image of the school. The dress code is designed to demonstrate our core value of unity and reflect self-respect, pride, good judgment and awareness of dress that is appropriate to place and action.
The dress code is in effect from the ringing of the first-morning bell and the end of the class day. After school, students may choose to be out of the regular dress code, but they must remain neat, clean, modest, and in good taste. In all matters regarding dress code, final decisions rest with the Administration under the direction of the Headmaster.
Mass days and some special event days are designated as formal dress days. Those days have a special dress code designed to show unity across the entire student body.
● Villanova logo sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, or coats are preferred outerwear.
● Non-Villanova outerwear may only include a small manufacturer's logo. Outerwear may not have designs or graphics.
● All non-Villanova outerwear must be gray, white, black, or navy blue.
● Hats may not be worn indoors.
● College/University outerwear may be worn for those in 11th and 12th grade student.
● Fridays and other designated “spirit days” are meant to show off your Villanova school spirit.
● If a student wears the official Villanova Spirit Wear (t-Shirts or sweatshirts) they may also wear denim pants or official Villanova warm-up bottoms.
● Jeans may not be ripped.
● Spirit Wear must be visible (for example: if the Spirit Wear is at-shirt it needs to be visible and not covered by non-Villanova outerwear).
● Official Villanova athletic jerseys, team-issued spirit wear, or warm-up tops may be worn instead of a polo shirt with regular day dress bottoms.
● Game Day Dress does not apply to Formal Days.
Mass days are formal dress days. For celebration of mass, students are to wear a white button-up shirt or blouse and khaki or navy pants. Girls may also wear the blue plaid Dennis Uniform skirt.
Wildcat Day, dances, and class retreats have particular dress codes that will be communicated at the appropriate time.
● Hair should be well groomed, a natural color, and appropriate in style.
● Boys must be clean-shaven.
● Boys are prohibited from wearing earrings, more than one chain, and extreme use of jewelry on campus and at school activities.
● Boys may not wear makeup or have exposed tattoos.
Shirts
● Official Villanova polo shirt or button-down shirt.
● Shirts may be ordered through the Villanova website, purchased as part of an athletics spirit pack, or purchased through an approved Villanova spirit wear sale.
● All existing Villanova Preparatory School polo shirts are grandfathered into the dress code.
Pants, Capri Pants, Bermuda shorts and Skirts
● Must be a fabric that is cotton twill, corduroy, or dress trouser style.
● Must be navy blue, black, tan, or gray. No stripes or other patterns.
● There must be belt loops and worn with a belt.
● Must be worn on the waist and shorts must be of an appropriate length.
● No denim or denim-looking material.
● No elastic waistband or jogger-style pants
Footwear
● Closed heel, closed toe, no visible feet
Clothing, styles, or inappropriate self-expression that are extreme (for example, shorts/ skirts/pants/shirts/blouses that are tight, low-rise, or see-through material) are not permitted.
● Khaki long pants that are cotton twill, corduroy, or dress trouser style with a belt worn through the belt loops.
● White button-up shirt with Villanova logo on the left breast, worn and -tucked in.
● Navy blue tie or bow tie (optional).
● Solid color, clean shoes worn with socks.
● Outerwear (optional).
○ Villanova uniform V-neck sweater, sweater vest, or button-up (varsity style).
○ Jacket must be navy blue, white, black, or gray (minimal logo on the front breast only, no logos across the whole front or any logos on the back).
○ Non Villanova V-neck sweater, or sweater vest with no logos on the front or back.
○ Must be navy blue.
○ No hooded sweatshirts.
○ No hats.
● Hair shall be in a natural color.
● Girls may wear moderate makeup, earrings, and jewelry.
● No other body jewelry as a result of piercing is permitted, and no exposed tattoos.
Shirts
● Official Villanova polo or button down shirt.
● Shirts may not be cropped and must be long enough to prevent revealing the mid-section at any time.
● All existing Villanova Preparatory School polo shirts are grandfathered into the dress code.
Pants, shorts and skirts
● Only fabric that is cotton twill, corduroy or dress style.
● Must be navy blue, black, tan, or gray. No stripes or other patterns.
● The Dennis Uniform blue patterned skirt is the only acceptable patterned bottom.
● Must be worn at the waist and not be denim or denim-looking material or elastic/spandex material.
● No jogger-style pants.
● Skirts: must be pleated in style (no fitted, stretchy, or spandex material, and no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.)
● Shorts must be mid-thigh length or longer and not stretchy or spandex material
Footwear
● Closed heel, closed toe.
● Socks may not go over the knee.
● Stockings must be solid black, white, or tan and not fishnet material.
● Khaki long pants that are cotton twill, corduroy, or dress trouser style.
● Villanova uniform blue patterned skirt.
● White button up shirt with Villanova logo on the left breast.
● Shirt tucked in if not square cut.
● Navy tie, bow tie, or crossover tie (optional).
● Solid color, clean shoes.
● Heels must have an enclosed toe and heel and be no higher than 3”.
● Solid color black, white, or tan stockings without designs are permitted (no fishnet).
● Outerwear (optional)
○ Villanova uniform V-neck sweater, sweater vest, or button-up (varsity style)Jacket, must be navy blue, white, black, or gray (minimal logo on the front breast only, no logos across the full front or any logos on the back)
○ Non Villanova V-neck sweater, or sweater vest with no logos on the front or back.
○ Must be navy blue.
○ No hooded sweatshirts.
○ No baseball style hats
DRESS CODE ENFORCEMENT
All Students will be checked for dress code periodically throughout the day and if in violation of the dress code will be assigned a detention. If a student is not dressed appropriately for school, they may be asked to return home to change. Any class time missed will be unexcused.