School Uniforms?

[tearsandtiaras]

My socials are currently filled with anxious posts about being able to afford the correct uniform required for their children.

ND children who won't wear it- parents are anxious how this will be received.

I myself have had sleepless nights considering the cost with zero support from DD father. With added worry that as a full time worker I cannot access the uniform shop in opening times- which offers no option to click/ collect.

I work with families/ children/ teenagers daily- uniform is consistently an adder stressor to their lives.

I cannot understand why in 2024 when most office workers wear smart casual- we inflict this on to our children/ parents. Uniform is outdated.

Aibu?

Go for a run in suit trousers or skirt and blazer then and tell us how it feels 🙄

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417240-school-uniforms-may-prevent-children-from-getting-enough-exercise/ 2024 research

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386814/ sources 46-51 2021 review

My parents didn't wear uniform to primary school in the 60s.

4 schools where I live one wears blue another green, the other purple and then red, so without emblems you know what school they attend 🤣

Our primary school used to have logo jumpers etc and ties (even from reception!) but changed it just before DD started. Now it's non-logo, no ties in any year group. However they did send out a letter at the end of term stating how they will be more strict with uniform this year... Hoping that means for items that clearly aren't uniform and not for a slightly wrong shade of navy (gingham dresses are a particular nightmare for summer - DD struggles with the little buttons so try and get zip ones but navy ones are impossible to get hold of so had to go for as dark a blue I could find!)

The bit that made me chuckle was that they would raise it with the child first... DD is 5 and can barely remember what she had for lunch let alone a uniform 'violation' 🙄

That describes three of my towns primary schools at least I suspect that it's a lot more we tend to be fairly generic

I went to school in the states and I found the opposite to be true . Because there was so much opportunity for dressing however you like - there was less focus on brands because you could express yourself in lots more ways. If it was something you cared about, you could get a smaller branded piece like a T-shirt. I notice here kids wanting branded items end up with the shoes, coats and bags which are the higher cost items.

No school uniform and this really isn’t an issue. The kids aren’t wearing designer labels much here, I’d say girls are in primark stuff predominately! My boys wear joggers and plain black hoodies.

I agree but does it have to be blazers and ties. Why not polo shirts and trackies

My kids go to a school without uniform (we're in the UK). I've never heard of kids being picked on for not having the latest thing. If anything, it's the opposite. Because they wear their own clothes everyday, they just turn up in practical clothes. No embarrassing changing for PE and no expensive uniforms and school shoes to buy.

Wait u til high school when the sports kit alone is £250+ to be worn an hour a week. Bloody ridiculous. At least in primary you can go to Asda! More pressure needs to be put on schools to make it affordable. High school prices are a joke.

Not necessarily. Here in Australia, uniforms used to be compulsory, but now some schools are ditching them. The kids are apparently adopting a smart/ casual approach, with no " fashion parade demands "being experienced.

Our school is really sensible about uniform, it just has to be a grey dress, skirt or trousers, a polo shirt, a blue jumper or cardi and black shoes. All items with a logo are optional and the pta are really active in terms of organising second hand uniform sales.
I think a uniform is a good idea, but I disagree with the shirt, tie and blazers that some schools enforce, often all needing a logo that costs a fortune. Hardly anyone I know wears full suits these days, so I don't believe they are appropriate for children.

That's said, I'd be very unhappy about trackies being worn as uniform for normal daily school wear, I think they are scruffy and only to be worn for sport or relaxing at home.

I personally think that all schools should have a very similar uniform especially primary schools. Simple cheap and practical. Black trousers, white polo/t-shirt and school coloured jumper/cardi, footwear should be trainers.

I like having uniforms in the UK, and I think they can be cheaper and easier than wearing own clothes. But only when the school is sensible and the uniform can be bought unbranded from supermarkets etc.

Our primary only requires that the jumper/ cardigan is branded. The rest is plain polo / grey trouser / white t for PE etc that can be bought very low cost or easy to source second hand.

Secondary could take a leaf out of the primary's book though - they not only require branded everything (except white shirt and black trousers) everything, from the blazer and tie to every item of the PE kit has to be house colour and/or house logo-ed.

Not only does this mean 90% of the uniform has to come from a specific supplier at considerable expense, it also makes it harder to get the size you need second hand as you need the right size AND house for your child. PITA, expensive and totally unnecessary IMO.

My eldest daughter cost me over £500 in uniform when she started secondary, I am dreading it when my youngest starts as it's more expensive now.

And you still have to buy non school uniform for the weekends and holidays anyway. I wish the tories had bought in law rather than guidance about uniforms and logos.

I would prefer non uniform for all schools, but if a uniform is needed a polo shirt and leggings/trackies for all schools.

I think blazers and shirts and ties are ridiculous. It kind of made sense for kids to wear them when that was business attire but it's not really the case now.

Uniforms evolve over time; my secondary introduced blazers and ties when I was in year 9, if I was only a few years older I'd have had to wear a straw hat, my mum had to wear a navy skirt and matching knickers, my dad wasn't allowed long trousers in infant school...

It's time school uniforms were modernised again and made similar to the style of clothes found in most offices these days.

I suppose it depends on ages. My daughters ages 16 and 14 would hate poloshirts and tracksuits. They love their blazer as they can put their phones pens in the pockets as pencils cases and coats are unfashionable. The blazers are soft easily washable material these days. They are allowed to wear open necked blouses. So comfy. Although my youngest is fashionable so chooses to wear the tie as it's what the trendy kids do.
Neither would be seen dead in a polo shirt!

I recently got DS's blazer for year 9 (old one is way too small) from the uniform bank. Zero cost and I donated outgrown items too so I get rid of them and someone else can benefit. Win win. There needs to be more of this sort of initiative from the sound of it.

Our school is good though as cheap. Only blazer and pe jumper are logoed. And plenty of secondhand uniform available and everything is unisex.

I agree. Just my two boys PE kits were £80 this week. That doesn't include blazers (thankfully we got hand--me-downs) or the basics like trousers and socks and shoes etc.

It really is far too expensive for families now, I agree with uniforms but they should be generic and subsidised!

I’ve just bought my teens some new uniform and personally think it’s cheaper, plus no stress choosing what to wear each day.

I’ve bought school trousers at £16, polo shirts at £12 and jumpers as £14 each, all with the logo from the supplier shop. I can’t even buy a pair of jeans in Tesco for that!! If they weren’t in uniform they’d need far more clothes than they currently have!!

We found non uniform much cheaper. No wasting money on poor quality school uniform which is only worn during the school day. DT’s wore jeans/hoodie or shorts/T-shirt for school, same clothes as they wore after school, weekends and holidays. Much more practical and comfortable for travelling to and from school and during lessons

My kids school is black/grey joggers, trousers, leggings or skirt, blue or white polo or regular t shirt and a non branded school coloured jumper/ cardigan. PE kit is any shorts/ joggers and t shirt. Shoes are anything black.

Another issue with it is the washing. Not everyone has access to a tumble dryer/ outside space to dry clothes.

My teenage DD needs a new shirt /
Jumper daily due to BO. I struggle to afford the adult sized shirts then wash them accordingly with the pressure to iron.

As an adult size I am effectively suiting and booting an adult 5 days a week and casual clothes after school clubs/ weekends/ holidays

Eh?

I find school uniform much easier and cheaper. There's absolutely tons given away free or sold cheaply by the pta. Zero time wasted deciding what to wear. My kids like wearing the same as their friends, they like essentially feeling like one big team. The kid from across the road who's parents are struggling looks exactly the same as the posh kid. Its a fantastic equaliser.