To think that switching to polo shirts makes the school uniform look low-rent?

[Byetoshirts]

My kids' primary has announced a change from shirts to polo shirts (previously just KS1) for all years except year 6.

I just think it looks a bit rubbish - all the other (in the main more affluent) local primaries have kids that look smart, and ours now get to look like they've just rolled out of bed. My DC are annoyed as they enjoy looking smart at school.

I associate polos in school uniform with young children and others who struggle with buttons and spilling stuff on themselves.

They also wash and wear badly (as stains kind embed themselves in polos) and the collar doesn't sit properly when open so a lot of (KS1) kids wear them tightly buttoned up to the neck, which doesn't exactly seem comfortable.

My Ds secondary school had polo shirts as summer uniform

they withdrew them after a few years. Behaviour of kids deteriorated when they switched to polos every spring.

Primary school kids don’t need to look like mini estate agents. They need to be comfortable to both learn and to run and play.

My DC’s secondary school has just made blazers optional, they still need to wear a shirt and tie but can wear a jumper or hoody over the top of they choose. Or a blazer, but i don’t think many will choose that! They can also now wear trainers instead of shoes. I expect it will change to PE polos for everyday at some point, which I fully support.

I remember being on a school trip as a parent helper when the class was about age 7 or 8.
It was an activity with several different school groups.
They were all wearing polos and sweatshirts except our school.
We had shirts, blazers and ties.
We looked like a group of Victorian urchins. It was embarrassing.
Polos are so much better.

All the corporates I work with have ditched the shirt and tie. I don't see why schools (especially primary) need to keep it. You can be smart and comfortable.

How does it make behaviour change?

Vastly prefer polos at primary school. Who cares if they look smart? I'd rather they were comfortable. Even the uber middle class school round here wears polo shirts.

I absolutely agree that polos can look smart, and that modern work wear is much more relaxed. I work in a corporate environment where attire ranges from t shirt and jeans to shirt and (very occasionally nowadays) tie.

However, the school polo shirts often seem to be thin and hang badly, and are often a bit grey, and don't look great with the grey trousers/black shoes combo.

The tie I don't care about anyway - the school barely enforces them anyway, or lets kids wear the weird tiny elasticated ones from Amazon

I hate to see kids in shirts and ties. Could never see the point of ties. Polo shirts are much better.

Agree. I want DS to enjoy school. I don't give a shit if he looks "smart" as long as whatever it is washes ok and is comfortable. His school allows unbranded polos so if one gets stained I get another pack from M&S or Tu. Job done.

Please do tell me more

Polo shirts can look good if you opt for better quality and wash whites separately. If you buy them 5 for £2 in the bargain supermarket and wash them with dark they will look terrible.

It’s far better for the kids to wear something comfortable. The obsession with dressing children up in weird work clothes that most adults with jobs don’t even wear any more is just strange imo

All the primary schools near me use polo shirts. Easy to wash, less need to iron (I still did) and comfy to wear. Perfectly smart too esp with a nice school sweatshirt.

Genuinely not seeing the issue. Did they wear a collared buttoned shirt and tie before? I think that’s a lot for a 7yo tbh.

That sounds nice (genuinely) though I suspect that the rest of the uniform is a bit more strictly enforced to look 'uniform' at these schools

In that case it's the secondary school uniform which is inappropriate. Not many people nowadays wear suit and tie or any really smart clothing to work. It baffles me that sixth forms so often have a dress code labelled 'smart office wear' that's more like what you see on The Apprentice than in the majority of modern workplaces.

Our primary has polos and it is practical and sensible. I want my kids to be comfortable in the classroom and active at playtime.

This is a very good point, actually. Why do schools have a separate PE kit that's clearly much more practical for energetic activity - when, for younger children at least, ALL breaks and lunchtimes out in the playground (and not just set PE sessions) should be free time to run around, jump, hop, climb, kick a ball around and just have fun letting off steam in general?

I hate it how many people want to pointlessly restrict young kids from just enjoying being young kids.

Polo shirts are so much more practical, and I don't think school children need to look 'smart'. They are little kids, let them be comfortable.

If they’re white ones then they’re so easy to keep clean and stain free. Soak in napisan, wash, hang in the sun and and stains get bleached out! If all else fails soak in Milton or actual bleach and you’ll never have dull white polos

I think I will. We pass our uniform down so I'm also less than keen on binning 25+ shirts (long/short sleeve, various sizes)

This is correlation, not causation. Students are more settled by spring and start tearing around outside and using the field as soon as it’s nice.

I had to wear a blazer, shirt and tie at my secondary and I always found it bizarre because women (unless they are cabin crew) did not wear ties to the office and the blazers were unisex so no darts in them or room for breasts at all. We were allowed to wear a cardigan or jumper in years 10 and 11 at which point the girls could finally buy something that actually fit.

As long as they aren’t white polo shirts which do seem to go grey quickly, I think polo shirts are a much better option! Hated the switch from polos to shirt and tie for DD - she will never wear a tie again in her life (unless early 2000s grunge style makes a return!)
School uniform is a desperately old fashioned concept in need of an overhaul, sounds like your school have made a good start

I think all children’s uniforms, at secondary too, even more so, should be unisex PE type uniforms. Ie, a type of t-shirt, jogging bottoms, zip up jacket/hoody and trainers. No too tight trousers, no skirts, no ties, no blazers.

I think polos are fine, I think white is a poor choice though as it’s hard to keep them looking good.

Polo shirts look just as smart if they are washed and ironed properly.

Children will get used to wearing a more formal uniform in secondary school very quickly so that's a non issue.

Badly washed, creased shirts look awful too and I've seen that plenty of times.

As long as hygiene is up to scratch. Clothes fit well, are washed and ironed properly, brushed hair, clean shoes then it's easy to look smart.