The dress code for this year’s Samfés high school ball has been the subject of debate online with the banning of cleavage, sheer tops and short skirts without leggings underneath for girls and shorts and shirts with too large or too low necklines for boys.

From Reykjavík Fashion Festival. Photo: Friðrik Örn.

The Children’s Ombudsman, Margrét María Sigurðardóttir,  told visir.is on Wednesday that they have received comments on the dress code and that dress falls under freedom of expression. “But, there may be restrictions on it, if for example it violates discretion.”

Earlier, director of Samfés (the Confederation of Youth Centers in Iceland) Björg Jónsdóttir said that she had not received any criticism about the dress code, which according to her has been in place for three years, and that people are generally happy with it.

Björg says that there haven’t been any problems compliance of the code. “This has gone really well,” she said, adding that the code is at everyone’s advantage and is reviewed by the youth council every year. “And they have the final decision,” Björg stated.

The ball, to be held this Friday at Laugardalshöll sports arena in Reykjavík, is attended by more than 4,500 teens every year.

ZR