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School uniforms vs fashion statements

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
In Australia, school uniforms are the norm.
Which meant the seemingly mandatory “evil enforced uniforms” episode common in American children’s media didn’t translate that well.
“What kind of weak minded dullard looses all creativity/individuality from simply wearing a uniform?” I remember thinking, even in Primary (elementary) school.

So what are some pros and cons for each system, do you think? And are there any embarrassing fashion faux pas you had to endure in your years?

My friend once absently minded put on her uniform for a trip to shops on a weekend once. Made fun of her all day for that one lol! I also recall on a free dress day (which we did have occasionally, but had to pay a gold coin “donation” to whatever charity it was for) my maths teacher went all out and came dressed like something out of Rocky Horror. It was cool of him, good cause and all, but as a teen it was a little weird lol

I do remember liking uniforms for the simple fact that it made for a hard split from school and weekend. Choosing my clothes meant I was on my own free time. The weekend. My downtime. Me time.

That said, I did feel for my private schooling comrades. Blazers, knee high socks, a pretentious hat and usually a tie (both sexes.)
For a public schooler like me, it was just a regular polo T and some shorts. (Although I hated the formal uniform. Blouse and skirt.) Pretty cheap actually.
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
I'm a great believer in school uniforms;

Pros:
They are a leveller - all kids the same
They are an identifier
They stop the kids urge to wear the trendiest (and usually most expensive) fashion trends
Parents don't have the 'what am I wearing?' early morning arguments.

Cons
They can be awful (We even had a cap!!!)
There is an element of losing ones 'individuality' but that doesn't seem to bother the armed services, etc,.
 

PureX

Veteran Member
In Australia, school uniforms are the norm.
Which meant the seemingly mandatory “evil enforced uniforms” episode common in American children’s media didn’t translate that well.
“What kind of weak minded dullard looses all creativity/individuality from simply wearing a uniform?” I remember thinking, even in Primary (elementary) school.

So what are some pros and cons for each system, do you think? And are there any embarrassing fashion faux pas you had to endure in your years?

My friend once absently minded put on her uniform for a trip to shops on a weekend once. Made fun of her all day for that one lol! I also recall on a free dress day (which we did have occasionally, but had to pay a gold coin “donation” to whatever charity it was for) my maths teacher went all out and came dressed like something out of Rocky Horror. It was cool of him, good cause and all, but as a teen it was a little weird lol

I do remember liking uniforms for the simple fact that it made for a hard split from school and weekend. Choosing my clothes meant I was on my own free time. The weekend. My downtime. Me time.

That said, I did feel for my private schooling comrades. Blazers, knee high socks, a pretentious hat and usually a tie (both sexes.)
For a public schooler like me, it was just a regular polo T and some shorts. (Although I hated the formal uniform. Blouse and skirt.) Pretty cheap actually.
In America, the constant message being pushed by the advertisement industry is that we can have anything we want, any time we want it, for any reason we want, just because we want it. So when little Johnny or Cindy wanted to wear the cool clothes that the advertising industry told them they had to wear to be cool, they wanted to wear them to school so all their friends could see how cool they are. And because the parents have also been infected by the constant onslaught of "want it" messaging, they though little Johnny and Cindy should most certainly be allowed to do so.

So all the little Johnnies and Cindies have to buy thousands of dollars worth of cool clothes to wear to school every year so they can all be 'uniformly' cool. 'Cause "all the other kids are doin' it!"

The difference between the U.S. and everywhere else is that EVERY decision we make in the U.S. is based on profiting the corporate entities that own and control EVERY aspect of our government, commerce, and culture. And they are so pervasive in this that we American have no idea at all that it's happening. We all think we're livng in the land of freedom and plenty, and when reality doesn't jive with our fantasies, it's the liberal's fault. Or the conservative's fault. Or it's the commies fault. Or maybe even the Aussie's fault, if it comes to that. So beware, because when we blame someone, we tend to follow up with billions of dollars worth of military hardware.
 

Father Heathen

Veteran Member
I think school uniforms are a good idea. It helps address classist cliques and brand based bullying.

Also, if you can only be an "individual" via superficial, shallow, materialistic means then you aren't really one, and most kiddos attempt to chase and conform to fashion fads, which defeats the point, right?
 
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HonestJoe

Well-Known Member
I think specific formal uniforms can go too far and actually make it more expensive for parents, especially when there is a single supplier for the school-specific items. I do like the more generic uniforms systems (black trousers or skirt, white shirt or blouse, etc.) which can maintain the benefits while still giving parents the flexibility over where they buy the clothes from.
 

Estro Felino

Believer in free will
Premium Member
Even in high school? Omg....

Here uniforms are compulsory in primary school only...that is until kids turn 10
 

Estro Felino

Believer in free will
Premium Member
Typical high school class in Italy...

I-liceali-3.jpg
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
In Australia, school uniforms are the norm.
Which meant the seemingly mandatory “evil enforced uniforms” episode common in American children’s media didn’t translate that well.
“What kind of weak minded dullard looses all creativity/individuality from simply wearing a uniform?” I remember thinking, even in Primary (elementary) school.

So what are some pros and cons for each system, do you think? And are there any embarrassing fashion faux pas you had to endure in your years?

My friend once absently minded put on her uniform for a trip to shops on a weekend once. Made fun of her all day for that one lol! I also recall on a free dress day (which we did have occasionally, but had to pay a gold coin “donation” to whatever charity it was for) my maths teacher went all out and came dressed like something out of Rocky Horror. It was cool of him, good cause and all, but as a teen it was a little weird lol

I do remember liking uniforms for the simple fact that it made for a hard split from school and weekend. Choosing my clothes meant I was on my own free time. The weekend. My downtime. Me time.

That said, I did feel for my private schooling comrades. Blazers, knee high socks, a pretentious hat and usually a tie (both sexes.)
For a public schooler like me, it was just a regular polo T and some shorts. (Although I hated the formal uniform. Blouse and skirt.) Pretty cheap actually.

Uniforms do eliminate economic class awareness. I remember a kid wearing a pair of $200 jeans to school. They got stolen from the locker room. Honestly, I didn't feel all that sorry for him. In Indian colleges, pretty saris can be the uniform for girls. It's quite the sight to see 60 young women file off a bus all dressed the same.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm a great believer in school uniforms;

Pros:
They are a leveller - all kids the same
They are an identifier
They stop the kids urge to wear the trendiest (and usually most expensive) fashion trends
Parents don't have the 'what am I wearing?' early morning arguments.

Cons
They can be awful (We even had a cap!!!)
There is an element of losing ones 'individuality' but that doesn't seem to bother the armed services, etc,.
I recall one school near mine had the worst colour scheme lol
Ugly brown with bright yellow. It was quite an eyesore lol
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
I recall one school near mine had the worst colour scheme lol
Ugly brown with bright yellow. It was quite an eyesore lol
Mine was bright green with a red and yellow lining - not good, but when all your mates have it too, you sort of get used to it.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Even in high school? Omg....

Here uniforms are compulsory in primary school only...that is until kids turn 10
Yes, even in High School.
Though in high school there’s typically two. “Sports” which in my school was just a yellow polo and green shorts with the school logo on them somewhere (which could be ironed on if one is on a budget) and joggers.
And “formal.” Mine was a green and white blouse, green skirt and mandatory black shoes for girls. Grey shirt and grey pants for the boys, who for some reason also had to wear knee high grey socks. We also had ties when we hit grade 12. It was almost like a status symbol, like we were the “uppity seniors” lol. Primary school was basically just shirts and shorts with the school logo. And optional skirts or skorts for girls.
The sports uniforms were honestly pretty comfy.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Mine was bright green with a red and yellow lining - not good, but when all your mates have it too, you sort of get used to it.
Oof. Whoever designed that should be fired on principle alone lol
I had a friend go to the local catholic school up the road from me. She looked like she was interviewing for a big fancy job whenever she went to school lol
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
In Australia, school uniforms are the norm.
Which meant the seemingly mandatory “evil enforced uniforms” episode common in American children’s media didn’t translate that well.
“What kind of weak minded dullard looses all creativity/individuality from simply wearing a uniform?” I remember thinking, even in Primary (elementary) school.

So what are some pros and cons for each system, do you think? And are there any embarrassing fashion faux pas you had to endure in your years?

My friend once absently minded put on her uniform for a trip to shops on a weekend once. Made fun of her all day for that one lol! I also recall on a free dress day (which we did have occasionally, but had to pay a gold coin “donation” to whatever charity it was for) my maths teacher went all out and came dressed like something out of Rocky Horror. It was cool of him, good cause and all, but as a teen it was a little weird lol

I do remember liking uniforms for the simple fact that it made for a hard split from school and weekend. Choosing my clothes meant I was on my own free time. The weekend. My downtime. Me time.

That said, I did feel for my private schooling comrades. Blazers, knee high socks, a pretentious hat and usually a tie (both sexes.)
For a public schooler like me, it was just a regular polo T and some shorts. (Although I hated the formal uniform. Blouse and skirt.) Pretty cheap actually.

Most of my school years were during the 1970s, when the idea of "dress codes" and school uniforms were strongly opposed. Popular culture had a very distinct anti-military bent to it where any kind of uniform was frowned upon - and even joining the Boy Scouts wasn't cool. This was the "free to be you and me" era, which had its pros and cons.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
I think specific formal uniforms can go too far and actually make it more expensive for parents, especially when there is a single supplier for the school-specific items. I do like the more generic uniforms systems (black trousers or skirt, white shirt or blouse, etc.) which can maintain the benefits while still giving parents the flexibility over where they buy the clothes from.
The private school uniforms are pretty strict, honestly. I mean I guess if you have the money for private schooling, you presumably have the dosh for the yuppie like uniforms. But I agree with you.
Five of my uniforms probably cost us the same for one full priced “cool brand” hoodie or shoes. And some stores have taken to offering even cheaper options, just find your school colours and iron on the logo. So for public schoolers, it was pretty cost effective.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Most of my school years were during the 1970s, when the idea of "dress codes" and school uniforms were strongly opposed. Popular culture had a very distinct anti-military bent to it where any kind of uniform was frowned upon - and even joining the Boy Scouts wasn't cool. This was the "free to be you and me" era, which had its pros and cons.
Was this like a cultural backlash against the Vietnam war?
I feel like I keep seeing movies about that era but it was mostly an American thing. So it wasn’t exactly covered that in depth in my history class, if you get me?
 

Eddi

Agnostic
Premium Member
There is an element of losing ones 'individuality' but that doesn't seem to bother the armed services, etc,.
When I went to school we had to wear uniforms

At the time I approved of them, my family couldn't afford nice clothes

I don't think it contributed towards me somehow losing my "individuality", not at all

My individuality is greater than my choice of clothes, it would shine through whatever I have to wear

I believe this is true of a significant number of people, some people use clothes as a substitute for an identity, I am not one of those people!
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Uniforms...one more submission to The Man.
Makes me think of saying pledges, marching,
regimentation, & the appearance of equality.
 
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