Pants slightly ripped at the ankles. Baseball caps worn at an angle. Raiders jackets. Signs of gang identity or simply street style? The answer depends on teen-agers' overall appearance and what they are trying to communicate, says Janet Hethorn, a UC Davis assistant professor of environmental design who spoke at a recent fashion and style conference on campus. Determining whether clothing conveys gang membership or just style can be difficult for parents or school officials who are drawing up dress codes. Often, by the time adults understand the intent of a symbol or clothing item, the meaning has already changed. To make dress codes relevant and timely, Hethorn suggests schools include students in the process. Doing so shows respect for students' opinions and provides school officials with the latest information on what clothing and symbols mean.