A high school has been branded 'sexist and creepy' after demanding their female students to submit photos of their prom dress ahead of time or face being banned. 

Oxford High School in Alabama sparked outrage earlier this month after a post on their Facebook page asked teen girls to send images of themselves modelling their chosen outfits.

The event organisers warned that girls would not be given access to the prom unless their dress was 'pre-approved' - meaning they had to send images of what it looked like from both the front and back. 

Meanwhile, male students were simply told it was 'tuxedos or suits only' and that jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, caps and oversized clothing was prohibited.

What's more, the post - which has since been deleted - also specified that students would not be allowed to partake in 'dirty dancing', 'public displays of affection' or any 'sexual motions' on school premises.

Outlining the strict dress code, the social media post read: 'Females: Evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

'No transparent material, no slits more than six inches from the middle of the knee, no dress length can be shorter than six inches from the middle of the knee all the way around (both front and back from the middle of the knee), no revealing necklines (armpit line) or back lines.

'Dresses may be sleeveless or strapless provided all from the armpit-line to mid-thigh are covered. No two-piece dresses with midriff showing will be allowed.'

Once they had found a dress that falls within these guidelines, students were then told to send their photos to a female teacher for sign-off. 

However, the post warned: 'Keep in mind that if approved via email and the dress doesn't meet dress code standards, then you will not be permitted to attend prom.

'Make sure that pictures reflect the best possible views. If you do not get pre-approved, then you will not be allowed to attend prom.'

After reminding their male students to dress formally for the occasion, the school said they would allow them to bring top hats and canes 'provided they are used properly'.

Unsurprisingly, the post sparked outrage among social media users - who branded the policy of submitting dresses 'creepy and sexist'.

'Sending in pictures is absurd,' one wrote. 'They know the dress code. If they show up and see a violation, deal with it then. Keeping a catalogue of minors like this is actually really creepy.'

Another added: 'Why doesn't the [school] want pictures of the 'males'?'

Meanwhile, a third said: 'Y'all might as well have them in nuns outfits at this point..'

A former student at Oxford High School slammed the school's post and shared it with her close friend and fellow local Lizzie Buckalew, 29, who labelled the rules 'crazy'.

Lizzie, from Weaver, Alabama, said: 'When I first saw the post, I thought 'it's got to be satirical' and it wasn't.

'The dress code was pretty extreme. That school is known for being stricter on dress code, but I was even shocked they went as far as they did.

'When they said to 'email a photo of you wearing the dress' and to 'get the best possible views possible', I thought 'what?'.

Highlighting the 'most concerning part' of the post, she added: 'They're asking these young girls to send in pictures. For boys it was 'tell the dudes not to wear jeans'. That's crazy to me.

Ryan Lankford, from Des Moines, Iowa, also saw the post after a friend shared it online and was quick to criticise the 'double standards'.

He said: 'It just all seems so creepy to me. Requiring teenage girls to send selfies to adult administrators if they want to attend the school dance? Something just rubs me wrong about that.

'When I first read it, it kind of made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I don't know about that specific area, but I live in a pretty deep red, conservative state in Iowa and that policy would be considered creepy even here.

'Even though it's been taken down now, I think they're still going to do the same thing. They might just try to make it more palatable, or do it quietly.'

In response to the backlash, Ashley Stilwell, Oxford City Schools' Public Information Officer, said: 'Last week, in an effort to provide students with ample notice and to avoid dress code issues that could potentially delay or prohibit a student's entry to the prom, Oxford High School published guidelines regarding the dress code for the prom.

'Unfortunately, the guidelines that were initially posted were not routed through the appropriate approval channels and had to be rescinded as they were not an accurate reflection of the procedures the school will implement for this year's prom.

'We regret the confusion the posting of the initial, unapproved guidelines created. The school's official, approved guidelines regarding the prom dress code have now been published.

'The approved guidelines do not require pre-approval of any attire, including prom dresses, but make clear that students must be in compliance with the dress code in order to enter the prom.'