The task of choosing what to wear to my Year 12 formal was perhaps one of the most torturous experiences of my life.

My body was… weird. Nothing fit. Even now, I’m not quite sure who fancy dresses are designed for, but they’re definitely not for me.

As if this period in a woman’s life isn’t traumatic enough, a school in the US recently gave a 21-slide presentation on ‘acceptable’ attire for prom, because, ladies, there arerules.And they are utterly ridiculous.

Listen: How young is too young for a school formal? We discuss, on our podcast for imperfect parents. Post continues after.

The guidelines are incredibly detailed, but here are some of the highlights (translated from formal Catholic-speak).

No cleavage, please.

Boylan Catholic School:“The neckline of a dress, top or gown must be cut in a modest way without showing cleavage. Spaghetti straps or strapless dresses are allowed, as long as they are not low cut.”

Translated: “If you have breasts, a physical feature over which you have no control, you must dress differently to people who have smaller breasts. Do not show your breasts. Seriously. They’re confronting.”

Image via Boylan Catholic School.

Don't show your legs.

Boylan Catholic School: "Slits in a dress/skirt may be no higher than three (3) inches from the knee."

Translated: "Legs are sexual. In fact, your entire body is inherently sexual."

Not too tight, girls.

Boylan Catholic School: "Dresses should not be excessively tight."

Translated: "There's no objective way to measure this, but if you're curvy, you're most likely breaking the rules.

Take note, ladies. (iStock)

We can tell if you're trying to cheat.

Boylan Catholic School: "No cover-ups (coats, shawls, sweaters) will be allowed over dresses that do not meet dress code."

Translated: "We know you're going to be inappropriate later. And we won't allow it."

Image via Boylan Catholic School.

But for Alex Symonds, a senior student at Boylan Catholic School, there was one line in particular she found infuriating.

Symonds told Babe that the most upsetting part of the policy is a section that states, "claims that a dress was worn at last year's Prom or at Homecoming will not be discussed. Some girls may wear the same dress, but due to body types, one dress may be acceptable while the other is not."

Oh, and the slides are sure to warn students, "Guidelines will be strictly enforced. Refunds will not be issued." Jesus.

The presentation also featured images of appropriate and inappropriate dresses, just in case the written rules weren't clear enough.

Image via Boylan Catholic School.

Unsurprisingly, the section dedicated to men's attire is far less detail than that for the ladies.

The 'gentlemen' need to follow two slides, while the women have 15 to be aware of. In fact, the men's instructions consist of one sentence, which reads, "Young men are expected to wear formal evening attire that would include a tuxedo, suit with a tie, or sport coat and slacks with a tie."

Given it's 2017, students instantly recognised the problematic nature of the guidelines, and expressed their frustrations on social media.

WEAR WHAT YOU WANT TO PROM! NO BODY SHAMING OVA HERE!

— MORP (@M_O_R_P) March 8, 2017

Wild prom idea: teach men AND women to exercise common sense. Respect your date. Buy any dress you like. Not a mutually exclusive exercise.

— Dan Cohen (@DanCohenWREX) March 9, 2017

Boylan students pitch @BoylanMorp2017 after dress code controversy. https://t.co/qTNM9kHmE8 via @corinacurry pic.twitter.com/FZvvQdhulz

— Register Star (@rrstar) March 10, 2017

Being abroad means I just saw my high school's updated prom "dress code." After reading about the new restrictions, my comments are below pic.twitter.com/u4DTXTpBWh

— Jane A. Horvat (@JAlexandra14) March 8, 2017

In the days since, students have rallied together to promote an alternative to the Boylan Catholic School prom, raising over $2000 for the event.

A prom where they can wear, you know, whatever the hell they want to.