Did you go to a uniform or a non uniform school?

[MyMintCrab]

Uniform

Uniform. 1980s. Scotland.

But it wasn't enforced unless you were a prefect or taking part in a school concert.

So I wore leggings and DM boots and big army surplus jacket for most of the time.

State primary mid-60s non-uniform. Then private - primary included tunics, tweed coats and felt hats in winter and summer dresses with blazers and boaters in summer. Private secondary was tunic and blouse in lower school, blouse and skirt in upper school and a suit on Sundays (loved these). No uniform in upper sixth apart from Sunday suit.

Very strict uniform. I loved it!

Both uniform and non uniform for infants and juniors, uniform secondary, non uniform
Sixth form

I had an optional uniform at primary (70s). Most people wore at least some of it. It was shirts and ties and I wore those but didn't like them.

Secondary was non-uniform and was just wonderful (80s). There was no focus on clothes at all. Some people were interested in fashion, some weren't, it was all OK.

DD had non-uniform for a year in primary school until they brought one in, which she hated. Then non-uniform for secondary. Like me, she far preferred non-uniform.

Uniform until we got to 6th form where we had to wear smart clothes. I loved both.

Uniform, including the straw hat and gymslip / velour hat in winter. Until I was 16. Then a slightly less horrible uniform til I was 18!!

No uniform in reception class but uniform was introduced in year 1 (as it is now called). Remained in uniform until I attended a sixth form college which was non uniform.

No uniform, didn’t exist, not even optional.

90s comp in Scotland. I think the other schools in town were similar, only uniform kids I saw went to private school.

No uniform at all 1976 -1981. But they were weirdly strict about PE uniforms

No uniform for primary total opposite for secondary

No uniform up until they introduced it while I was in Y7 or Y8 (my school was kindy to Y13).
Oh but we had school PE T-shirts before the uniform, in house colours.

Non uniform school both primary and secondary.
My kids go to primary and secondary non uniform schools too, I much prefer this and the thought of a uniform is very strange to me.

Yes right through school, red and grey for infants and junior, then navy blue with a burgundy/gold tie and trim sewn round the blazer.

I went to a catholic boarding school which was very strict, they would measure the gap between skirt and sock top. Straw hat in the summer which I hated . Six form they relaxed slightly, you changed the skirt and blouse for a dress . All of it was bought from one shop, and you had to have the right stuff supplied only from that shop which had been approved from the school that included everything from pants to blazer.

a deportment sash, ours was burgundy, and was rewarded weekly to the girls who showed lady like behaviour was caring to others and was diligent in lessons. I never ever got to wear one 😥

Not sure there are many non uniform schools left in the UK. I was born in the 60's.

Infant School was non uniform.

Primary School - the vast majority wore a uniform of sorts but it wasn't an official uniform, it was left up to parents to decide their own version of what a uniform should look like. There was a yellow and blue school tie you could buy which my brother wore. I didn't have a tie but I was co-ordinated - my grandma knitted me a jumper with a yellow stripe on the v neck.

Secondary School was a Grammar with a very strict uniform - even down to the colour of our knickers.

I started school in the southern hemisphere in 1973. We had a smart uniform of blue gingham dresses and straw hats with regulation navy nylon knickers.

Then an international school in another hot country - gingham dresses in any colour.

Boarding school in England - blazers and kilts.

Sixth form - no uniform, but we were all quite smart so there must have been some sort of dress code.

Both DC have been at uniformed schools throughout (albeit in 3 different countries). Frankly it’s a blessing as they are hard enough to get out of the door in the morning. It would be so much worse if they had any choice in what to wear.

70s and 80s England - non uniform in primary. Uniform in comprehensive from 1979, blazer (for boys !) or jumper, shirt, tie, grey skirt, gym was an aertex top and horrible navy knickers. Quite strict, no earrings, no make up. Went aged 11 wearing the standard (expensive and unattractive) clobber bought from their uniform shop on parents evening, but by 14 was wearing a mini kilt (or a skirt rolled up) and a fake lyle and scott or slazenger jumper. Didn't like it at the time, but see the value of it now.

Even with all these examples of non-uniform schools it still seems weird to me and I still can't picture it as having been at all common anywhere in the UK. I believe everyone who has said it, I just can't reconcile it!

As part of all our house moves covering far distances within England my.younger brother did go to one non-uniform infants. My mum (at school 1952-1966) was completely baffled and thought it must be a weird local aberration.

1970s/1980s
Non uniform at Infants/Juniors
Uniform at Middle school
Uniform at Comprehensive

The uniform wasn't overly strict though. Jumpers knitted by grandmother. Thought it was marvellous when we had shop bought!
White Blouse, grey skirt, Grey Jumpers and tie at middle, Red or grey Jumpers at comp, black skirt or trousers, no tie for girls.

Uniform all the way

Both, I went to a lot of school (forces child)!

Uniform primary
Non uniform primary abroad
Non uniform secondary abroad
Fancy boarding school all kinds of uniform including with a cape and a hat.
Uniform middle school
Uniform high school
Non uniform sixth form (as is standard)

Non (in the US).

Uniform and I'm glad I did. I hated Non-uniform days. I never knew what to wear and didn't have many fashionable clothes.

Uniform for primary and secondary. If you become a prefect you got to wear any black jumper/cardigan, while the rest of the school had logos and a different colour. Sixth-form was non uniform.

Basic uniform in primary (school sweatshirt) and no uniform in secondary. I was bullied relentlessly for years as my parents wouldn't buy branded clothes. Huge advocate for uniform for this reason.