School ‘no logos’ policy

[JambonetFromage]

DC’s secondary school has introduced a “no logos” policy for bags and coats - so no North Face, Nike swooshes etc.

On the one hand I think this is great as reduces the competition for having the latest cool brand. On the other hand finding logo-free coats and rucksacks is a bit of a pain.

Overall I’m in favour though and it feels like a refreshing change.

What say you mumsnet, should more schools go down this route?

I actually think our school's got the balance about right with this - they accept it's a right pain in the arse to find completely unbranded things that will fit with faffy teens, parental budgets and the need to not go around the entire high street to do so. So they've taken the line of "no logos bigger than a credit card size" - so you can go to Sports Direct or wherever (it's usually the outlet stores around here) and buy the tracksuit bottoms with the small text or swoosh on - but you can't go around (much to DD1's dismay) with NIKE PRO emblazoned over your arse cheeks.

I reckon a women's extra small joggers from somewhere like Shein or whatever would have worked. But obviously if he knew they were women's he might not be happy. Though they genuinely are unisex really of course.

This sounds like the best option. Just cover logos up.

That sounds great. It’s good hear some schools have a sensible and practical thought process.

Traditional "school uniform" brands like David Luke or Marathon Bags would be fine for this, but they're probably more expensive than some of the logoed things so it doesn't exactly help accessibility.

Having said that, my secondary school anorak must be on pennies per wear. I still wear it on wet country walks now and I'm in my 30s! It was bought to grow into.

But that's just yet another thing for parents to pay for just so their children can get an education.

My dc’s state school had this when my first child started and he’s 21 now. Sometimes a sharpie is enough. Places like decathlon have unbranded bags and sports clothes.

They aren't "unbranded". They have Quechua or Kipsta on them - which are Decathlon "own brands".
Sorry if I sound repetitive on this thread.
My daughter suffered from ABSA (Anxiety Based School Avoidance) and is also autistic.
School uniform rules were part of her issues and I am so thankful she got a place in a SEN school where she can wear a Pokémon t-shirt and carry a Sonic the Hedgehog backpack and nobody (staff, fellow students) gives a toss or cares.

Well you say this but I bought my son some shoes that were a semi cool brand. This was more for practicality than it even being a brand he particularly likes (problem feet has to have a certain type of shoe, these were all I could find that fit the bill) they were plain black leather and smart.

They don't have the brands logo on them but they do have the brands name (black small embroidered on black leather) and i had an email home about no logos shoes weren't acceptable (he had been wearing the shoes for months and it was only during a specific shoes check that they were able to make out the brand name) My argument was that it wasn't actually the brands logo, just their name in a less obvious way than say the Clarks label is on lots of their shoes so it felt to me they were basically saying "no cool brands".

And while I understand the sentiment of no North Face etc its a bit if a ball ache for a family like ours who aren't rolling in money and he got a North Face coat for his birthday after a fair bit of saving and now we have to go out and buy another coat just for school that he wont wear and will live balled up in his bag.

We tried that. The women’s XS joggers still have hips or are cut to be figure hugging (I was surprised, I confess). And are priced as adult clothing. Unlike Junior sports wear.

I remember sitting in registration twenty thirty years ago with a black marker pen colouring over the coloured tags on my Kickers!
Get something suitable, if it has a small logo, it will probably be ok. If it's not patch it or colour it in.

All things considered, it’s ridiculous. It’s putting so much hassle on to the parents … and more expense if they are having to replace stuff!
And let’s be honest, bullies are gonna bully. They’ll just find something else to pick on.

It really isn’t that hard to find unbranded stuff.

Primark, Amazon or Ebay are good places for this.

Ahh, thank you. I've got some from there that are really baggy and they feel very unisex. I don't really have hips. So I thought it might work!

I'm guessing he has filled out a bit now he's older so easier to find clothes. X

Agree, it's very tricky. The policy at our high school is no large logos. Obvs some judgement required on what's 'large', but at least it's a bit easier to work with.

It's ironic that so many people are saying "use a Sharpie" to colour over the logo.
I hope before they do that they are using another Sharpie to colour out the logo of "Sharpie" that's printed on it because surely that should be banned by schools too.
Along with Biro, BIC, Helix and Crayola,(aka ordinary stationary that can be bought from Poundland) 😂😂😂

My son’s school did this. Everyone just un picked or covered the logos with a patch or gaffa tape etc.

Unbranding was a thing with celebrities a while back… along the lines of not flashing designer stuff, but those who know, know.

Our school did it for pe stuff it’s a good idea really

I’d never heard of this - how the hell do you find anything durable/functional with absolutely no ‘label’?
banning something ‘sensible’ like Regatta or maybe Karrimor rucksacks sounds insane.

And since when was North Face a ‘label’? Go 64yo me!😂

At least they get to wear a coat of their choice. I went to a school where there was an official coat , only available from the official school suppliers (and it wasn't available locally).

North Face is what "roadmen" wear now according to my 15 year old DN. Roadmen and my 70 year old Dad 😂

I cannot bear the expression "what say you?"

It reminds me of my brother, who is a pompous twat.

I'm firmly on the fence on this one.

Having worked in schools for years, I do get what they're trying to do. The amount of bullying that goes on about kids having the 'wrong' shoes or coat or bag is ridiculous. It puts pressure on parents to spend more than they can afford. You get kids refusing to follow the uniform rules because they want to show off their expensive branded hoodie. I've also known kids being mugged by other kids (including in one instance at knifepoint) for their expensive coats, trainers etc on the way home from school.

On the other hand, as a parent I want my kids to have decent quality stuff that lasts. I don't want to be replacing stuff all the time. DD is about to start secondary school and we got a good deal on an Eastpak bag that is really sensible, durable and has compartments for everything she needs. I'd be annoyed to now be told she can't use it because there's a small logo on it and have to buy a supermarket backpack that will probably have to be replaced after a term.

:D Wait till you see those Salomon shoes which are trendy now. When I was at school they used to be taken off as soon as one finished their hike. Nobody would wear them as 'everyday' shoes.