"Shorts that are too short" or "shirts with excessive cleavage" cannot be worn for school - these are the most recent warnings from the management of Escola Secundária Pedro Nunes, in Lisbon, and contained in an email sent to parents and guardians.

According to news published by Público, the management says that anyone who wears these clothes on the days of the national exams for access to higher education, in the 11th and 12th years, may even be prevented from taking the tests.

"Students must be at school wearing appropriate clothing. This means not wearing beachwear, namely swimming shorts, flip-flops, shorts that are too short and shirts with excessive cleavage", says the message, as quoted by the newspaper, adding that, "including, in an exam situation”.

The notices were sent to the Parents' Association last Friday and then a request was sent to each of the guardians, according to the newspaper.

The message is signed by director Maria do Rosário Andorinha, who in statements to the daily said that the warnings arose due to calls for attention due to the clothes worn by the students.

"Many girls, many students, come wearing only a kind of top, just covering their chest and shorts below the waist. And this is not appropriate for being in a classroom," she said.

"There are tops that only cover the chest and little else. Other people may not feel comfortable either, there are other students who may feel uncomfortable".

The director also defended that "everyone wears what they want, colours and flowers, but there is a minimum set out in the internal regulations". However, according to Público, the internal regulations, available online, do not establish any rules regarding the warnings given.

The paper also writes that the email provoked criticism among some guardians.