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Indian school uniforms appear to be strongly gender based. Interestingly India has some destictive girl's uniforms, strongly based on traditional styles. Boys' uniforns are more European based. I'm not sure why this is. The uniform for boys is usually a buttoned-shirt with short sleeves, a pair of plain-colored short pants, socks (often knee socks) and dark lace-up dress shoes. The uniform for girls is normally a "salwaar kameez" very popular throughout India, which is a combination of a knee-length tunic with short or long sleeves, baggy pants,and dark lace-up shoes. OR a combination of buttoned-shirts + knee-length skirts, socks, and dark lace up dress shoes. The uniform for sport activities is mainly : a T-shirt, short sport pants and white canvas and rubber tennis shoes.
Indian school uniforms appear to be strongly gender based. Interestingly India has some destictive girl's uniforms, strongly based on traditional styles. Western uniform items are more common. Boys' uniforns are almost entirely European based. I'm not sure why this is. Children and adults in many areas of India wear traditional clothing.
Many Indian boys wear school uniforms at both public (state) and private schools. Not all schools require uniforms, but many do. School uniforms are commonly Western-styled clothes even though traditional clothing is still common in many areas of India. Boys in primary school generally wear a simple shirt and short pants. Caps are not common. And because of the climate neither are ties. The uniform for boys is usually a buttoned-shirt with short sleeves, a pair of plain-colored short pants, socks (often knee socks) and dark lace-up dress shoes. Private schools in particulasr tend to have uniforms with an English look. It is not uncommon for boys to go to school barefoot. This is most common at public schools, but not unkown at private schools.
School uniform in India and and despite the political division Pakistan as well can be quite varied, especially for the girls. We see two basic alternatives. The first choice is traditional South Asian styles. The second choice is Western, basically British styles. State primary schools tend to have very basic uniforms, usually western shirts and pants/skirts. This is important because much of the Indian population is still very poor. Secondary schools and private schools tend to have more elaborate uniforms and often regulations about hair. Private schools are very important in India. While much of the population is still poor, India has made huge progress since the market reforms of the 1990s began. And much of the rising middle class attach great importance to a quality education for their children, including the girls. The traditional uniform for girls is normally a 'salwaar kameez', a very popular woman's garment throughout South Asia, meaning Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka as well. It encompass a dizzying variety of styles. The salwaar kameez is a combination of a knee-length tunic with short or long sleeves, baggy pants, and dark lace-up shoes done in all kinds of combination and styles as well as many bright colors and elaborate trim. The British style uniforms often includes buttoned-shirts and knee-length skirts, socks, and dark lace up dress shoes. The gym slip is a popular choice. We also see light-weight summer dresses. The continued popularity of British-styled uniforms is interesting given the animosity that many Indians still hold toward Britain.
While there are many gender-based school uniform styles, there was also some common or at least coordinated styles. At some schools the boys and girls wore the same color uniforms. The difference being that the boys wore short pants and the girls skirts. Hosiery was often identical. And the attitude toward footwear identical as well. Commonly footwear was up to the children. This to an extent may reflect the economic situation of the family, but some children prefer to go barefoot. Another common item is the umbrella which seasonally is quite important.
The uniform for sport activities at Indian schools is mainly a T-shirt, short sport pants and white canvas and rubber tennis shoes. Unlike the regular uniform, boys and girls wear the same sports uniforms.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits]
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[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]
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