Why did schools change and wear sweatshirts and cheap blazers?

[Neweternal]

I'm curious when I was at school you had wool blazer (expensive yes in the 1980s they were £50) tie shirt etc. Now I see kids going to school in those hideous cheap polyester ones, are the days of school exchanges gone? Also I've seen sweatshirts and polo shirts in primary and secondary and it doesn't look smart at all and after the first term their sweatshirt and polo shirts are bobbled and discoloured. White cotton shirts can be bleached out in the sun. Surely no one thinks that looks better than a shirt and tie? Also children learning to buttons shirts up, tie you ties, they're life skills. What are the pros of sweatshirts, non wool blazers? Yes more ironing is involved with a clean shirt everyday, but my child takes pride in being smart. Poor kids in the 1960s managed school uniform, so I'm not convinced this is purely a financial argument. Should state schools not be competing with private on uniforms? Wearing polo shirts and sweatshirts to secondary if like an acceptance they're going into the trades and not going to need to tie a tie for work, (nothing wrong with trades I have one) but its about aspirations and dressing raises aspirations too. I know private schools still have the school exchange. What's the thinking behind all this?

I think if you want adults to be able to look smart taking responsibility for their outfit choices is a more sensible option.

blueskiesandforests

I do wonder if you've joined my children's school!

New head (old one retired) guess what new uniform and new logo
New behaviour policy
New timetable

Nothing wrong with any of the previous one

Kids are suffering - detentions for rolled up sleeve untucked shirt laces not tied - I kid you not - if a child dares speak up for themselves it gets escalated to an after school detention

Green no, it's an old story - my experience was 15 years ago. I've since moved abroad and changed career. Might be the same superhead though!

My favourite super head story is from a Birmingham school it was located next to the blues ground the blues players were regular visitors coaching football (no suprise) uniform was blue and white

New head moves in and demands new uniform - claret and blue - villa colours!!

Head back tracks when pupils parents andthe football club complain - his excuse was he knew nothing of football -

Me neither but I know the colours!!

What is this weird thing in this country about girls wearing ties at school? They look completely odd and I’ve very seldom seen a woman in a tie since! I agree they are hardly necessary for boys either but they don’t look odd at least.

I used to love my first primary uniform, in 1966; grey blazer, purple and yellow school badged, with purple trim around the collar and bottom hem; purple and yellow striped tie, white blouse, grey V neck pullover and grey skirt,; and a purple beret with the school badge on it if you wanted!

Then I went to a couple of non-uniform primaries, then finally to another school with a proper uniform; bottle green blazer (£38 is 1973), green pullover, green/white gingham check open neck blouse, grey skirt.

We looked pretty smart!

Now my 2 have recently left a highly performing comp, which is the only local comp in the area that hasn't reverted back to shirt and tie from daggy old sweatshirt and polo combo. My two wore that uniform and they looked a bit 'thrown together' tbh!

Is this real?!

Most of the primary schools by our house didn't have uniform in the 80' s and 90's. At High school I didn't ever have to wear a blazer.

Have you tried to put a tie on a 3YO and 5YO?!

These are quickly sourced pictures of what girls' ties can look like. They don't have to look lie blokes' ties!

You’re not selling it Miljah... prefer a nice revere collar myself. If they have to have a uniform at all!

miljah those look ridiculous. And given that only the tiniest % of girls will ever wear a tie in adult life, why even bother?

Think of the poor girls in secondary "blessed" with larger breast development. A fully buttoned up blouse and tie looks so awful, it does nothing for the girl's confidence.

I also don't believe in the "only a uniform can mean you have sucess in school". Look at all the non-school uniform countries, they are hardly a disaster on the educational front. Teacher who inspire a child, are passionate about teaching and make learning fun, that's what makes a school a success.

I work in the City of London and over the last 5 years or so you could see a big development away from the formal 3-piece suit/suit and tie unless you have a client meeting. In most cases you could argue the security guards look smarter. Especially women seem to look often scruffy as if they can't dress themselves/make decision about what is good looking as they wore uniform all the time.

I had to tie a tie twice for DD for a riding event, thanks to youtube both times it came out decently looking, no need to wear it for 12 years.

So, why do girls wear white shirts and ties to ride a bleedin' horse..?... 😂

Well, to be fair when competing, men do too... And horse riding is something you choose to do. Going to school isn't.

Most hobbies do require some kind of prescribed outfit, sports kit, Scouts/guides/cadets, theatre and dance classes.

But this is something you do because you like it. And unless you are on a semi professional level you don’t wear the kit 5 days a week, 7 hours a day,

Horse riding - you wear the outfit for competing, not lessons. DD had it for an exam as well I just remember, so a total of 3 times in 6 years riding.