A school has banned pupils from wearing hoodies, claiming that younger students find them "intimidating".
Teachers at the secondary school also claim that teenagers are using the garments to hide their identities in the playground.
They also said students sometimes wear hoodies decorated with inappropriate images, such as cannabis plants.
One pupil at Brune Park Community School in Gosport, Hampshire, accused staff of creating a "dictatorship".
But Mike Jones, deputy headteacher, said the move was designed to improve the image of pupils and the negative impression that wearing hoodies can have in the community.
"When you have large 15 and 16-year-olds wandering round in hoodies it can be quite intimidating, particularly for younger pupils," Mr Jones explained.
"Some of these hoodies also have inappropriate images such as cannabis plants which creates the wrong impression."
He also said it is difficult to identify students wearing hoodies at break and lunchtimes.
He continued: "When hoods are up it can become difficult to identify students which can be an issue if an incident has occurred."
The policy, launched this term, has since sparked controversy among students.
"I don't see a problem with pupils wearing hoodies and it wouldn't affect how I work," said year nine pupil, Ruben Sekules.
The 14-year-old continued: "One teacher said it was because a number of former pupils had come into school wearing hoodies and they make it difficult to identify people on site.
"However most coats have hoods which can also hide faces."
Another student, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "This school is slowly becoming a dictatorship."
The school has since defended its stance and said the decision is part of "preparing young people for later life".
Mr Jones added: "A student wearing a hoodie in their English lesson is not going to affect their academic performance, but the simple fact is it's a leisure garment, with no weather protection, and most careers will have some form of uniform code.
"I often speak about this in assembly and stress that in years to come you wouldn't choose to meet clients while dressed in a hoodie."
Mr Jones said students who go to school with a hoodie will have it confiscated.
"If a student comes to school wearing a hoodie, we will confiscate it at the earliest opportunity," he said.
"If they've made the decision to wear one, despite being repeatedly being told not to, we will take action.
"If we confiscate a hoodie, they can have it back at the end of the day."
Mr Jones said that students who have their hoodie confiscated will not be given them back on lunch breaks - even if it's cold outside.
He concluded: "Our uniform requirements are to wear a buttoned shirt, tie, embroidered blazer, black trousers and shoes.
"Hoodies most certainly do not fit in with our uniform policy."