Michigan Catholic school threatens girls with ‘modesty ponchos’ if prom dresses are too revealing

Officials at a Catholic high school in a Detroit suburb will require female students to wear “modesty ponchos” at prom if their dresses are too revealing.

WJBK-TV reports that some students at Divine Child High School in Dearborn are calling the policy a form of body shaming.

The pink and multi-coloured ponchos are on display inside the school with a note saying they will be handed to girls wearing dresses that violate the school’s code. The report doesn’t outline the school’s dress code for the May 12 prom, but says a teacher will check for compliance at the door.

Theology teacher Mary Pat O’Malley came up with the idea. She says the school is trying to focus on inner beauty and the ponchos are intended as a lighthearted deterrent.