School Uniform Buying Guide
If your school requires uniforms, selecting the right one is a big part of back-to-school shopping. By dressing for success now, youngsters will be ready when opportunity calls.
Our guide to kids' school uniforms and high school uniforms will help both schools and parents choose apparel that fits their needs. Here are the most important tips for school uniform shopping along with answers to some frequently asked questions about school uniforms.
Tip #1: Buy several mix-and-match outfits, but not too many.
As long as your budget allows it, you should have a handful of matching school uniforms in a student's wardrobe. We've found that six school uniforms is the magic number - one for each day of the school week plus an extra. More than that will unnecessarily crowd casual clothes out of your closet and dresser, and less than that can leave you scrambling to do mid-week laundry.
Tip #2: Choose value over high-end apparel whenever possible.
It's tempting to treat your child to the best school uniforms available. However, children are constantly growing, and they simply might not get enough use out of the expensive clothing to make it worthwhile. Good apparel that costs a lot less will be the better long-term option. In the case of young and active kids, they frequently wear out the expensive clothes almost as fast as the budget clothes anyway.
Tip #3: Buy the darkest colors allowed under the uniform policy.
Dark colors almost always result in the best-looking school uniforms. Since they hide stains and dirt a lot better than light colors, they'll look presentable longer, which is important when you're wearing apparel a lot. Black and navy are the best stain-hiding colors while red also does a decent job. If your school allows a choice between a dark and a light color, make most of your uniforms the darker color and pick one or two of the lighter shade just to mix things up.
Tip #4: Go short on the top and long on the bottom.
This is another way to say that you should own more short-sleeve shirts than long-sleeves and more pants than shorts or skorts. In most cases, these are the garments that will get the most use over the course of a school year. Buying an equal amount of each means you'll spend money unnecessarily and/or having too many items that are rarely worn.
Tip #5: Use accessories to personalize uniforms.
Oftentimes, schools have more flexibility when it comes to school uniform accessories than they do with the primary apparel. This is a place where a student can customize outfits to let their personality shine through. Add a colorful tie, cute girl's scarf, luxury leather belt, charming socks and other items they can show off. Check the uniform policy first, though, to see if an item is allowed before purchasing it.
School Uniform FAQs
What Is the Purpose of a School Uniform?
School uniforms might not be the favorite outfit of a 14-year-old boy or girl, but they have several benefits for kids and young adults. Wearing them teaches students to care about their appearance and dress well. This, in turn, prepares them for the working world after they leave school.
A school uniform can also provide a sense of pride and belonging for students, as they often feel more like a part of the school and community. Furthermore, when everyone is wearing the same uniform, it promotes equality among students and eliminates peer pressure to conform to the latest fashion trends.
Why Do Girls Wear Skirts at School?
The debate over girl's school uniform skirts has gotten increasingly louder in recent years. Proponents argue that skirts add sophistication to a uniform help keep girls cooler in hot climates. Conversely, some people consider requiring girls to wear skirts an outdated practice that prioritizes looks over function, discourages physical activity and reinforces traditional gender stereotypes. In most cases, state education departments leave it up to individual schools and districts to decide what their uniform policy is.
What Is the Average Cost of School Uniforms?
Depending on the outfit, a single standard uniform (top, pants or skirt, socks and shoes) can cost anywhere from $25 to $200 depending on the quality, location and retailer. Getting several mix-and-match uniforms could be in the $200 to $600 range. A single school-specific uniform generally costs much more - anywhere from $100 to $500. The price tag often goes up on these due to the school requiring higher-quality garments or items only available from certain retailers. It also costs more to get the official crest or insignia added to clothing.
Go Back to School in Style
No matter how old your kids are or where they go to school, they should look nice from the moment they walk through the door. Since 2003, Sharper Uniforms has been the best shop for school uniform tops, bottoms and accessories. We offer volume pricing for districts that have school-issued uniforms and also offer individual apparel for students. On bulk orders, we can embroider, screen print or heat seal school insignia onto the uniform as part of our complete logo decoration services. Call, email or submit a request, and you'll receive personalized service on every order - no matter how big or small.
