Figure 1.-- |
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British readers have provided some information on school uniform trends during the 2000s. Some observers tell us that some of the trends toward more informal, casual school wear have been reversed. We are not yet sure how pervasive these trends are. One trend that appears to have become increasingly prevalent is seasonal uniform rules. Perhaps the most notable trend during the 2000s has been the appearance of religious issues. Until the 1990s such religious issues had been a minor matter. These issues have also surfaced in France and other European countries.
A British reader tells us, "Today it is also primary schools who have to try to combat the latest fashions. Many rely on the parents too but some write in new rules the year following some particular fashion that comes out in order to combat them! - I have seen "Plain, flat, black leather shoes (no boots, fashion shoes or trainers)" and "Tailored shorts which should be no longer than just above the knee" in order to combat various fashions that while sticking to the letter of the school uniform rules go against it's spirit. In the end I suppose the schools are facing a losing battle with the fashion industry." Some schoolssell the uniform items themselves in order to keep some control over the matter. I have noticed that school uniform lists these days include just as much on what is *not* to be worn as what is required and, as above, every item has to have some sort of additional regulation appended. When I was at primary school in the 1960s "grey short trousers" were understood to be the ones sold as "school shorts" by BHS and so on. Now schools have to add "tailored" in order to prevent grey sports type shorts being worn or set "above the knee" regulations to prevent grey versions of "cargo shorts" which go down to mid-calf being and have all sorts of pockets down the legs being worn. As I say the interesting point about scool policies is that many schools are not just selling school sweatshirts and polo shirts which many schools do but also the boy's shorts and girls skirts and that (for state schools) is a new development as far as I am aware .I think when I was at school most Mum's were more likely to agree with the schools on what were sensible school clothes and fashions for primary school age children were not such a big thing - we did want the latest style but they were always acceptable to the school (and Mum) anyway. Secondary school was a different matter!"
here have been a number of instances in the UK over recent years of boys
and parents requesting the option of shorts as part of their uniforms -
noteably from secondary aged students more than primary.
The big uniform issues here have centred on state schools not being restrictive about
specific brands or items only available via the schools on grounds of cost.
Specialist suppliers are far more expensive than ASDA (Walmart), Tescos and
other supermarkets. THE biggest fuss has been about the wearing of Burkas,
headscarves, facial covers and religious items by teachers or students.
This is a very big political issue at the moment. There has in the past few
years been a big move away from the casual poloshirt and sweatshirt uniforms
back to more traditional shirt, tie and school blazers.
You are more likely to find boys expeted to wear shorts as part of their
uniform in the South of the country than the North except within some of the
more urban up areas of the NW. Usually only in primary years to age 11
however, as said some now continue to permit older boys to wear shorts in
warmer weather if the schools or Governors have been requsted to permit it.
A British reader tells us, " The school I was woking within until last year insisted that all boys up tp Year 6 (ie 10-11 year olds) wear shorts in the Summer months. Caps were an
option for the older boys. In the winter the top two years changed to
longs. The senior part of the school permitted the boys in Years 7 & 8 to
wear shorts as an option. Most of the boarders took this up even in some of
the coldest months as they said it was more comfortable. 6th Formers, 16-18
years had the option of dress shorts in the Summer. Those boys inbetween
were only permitted trousers with shorts/sports kit being the favoured
clothing out of school for the boarders. Just to demonstrate that even in a
single school there can be a wide range of different approaches."
You should
be aware that many Independent boarding schools in the UK have large numbers
of overseas students; often from Eastern Europe and very noticeably from the
Far East. Therwe are often very large cultural differences between these
groups and their views regarding uniform and fashion in general though the
most interesting part is where culture gives way to the perceived norm and
desire to fit in with their peers.
A British reader tells us, "I am not aware of any religious problems caused by boys being expected to wear shorts as part of our school uniforms. Europe, especially
Britain, has had a very tolerant attitude towards religious views since
the Protestant/Catholic skirmishes ceased and fitting in with the norm
has always been far more important - even to this day. At school,
nearly all Christian based in some form or another even if described as
multi-denominational, everyone was expected to wear the same uniform.
You would need to talk to someone from a particularly fundamental
background to hear their views but I know of Baptists who wore shorts
in and out of school exactly the same as everyone else. Religion
generally is of increasingly less and less importance to people in
Britain save small pockets. It is only the Muslim, Black evangelical,
some Jewish and Catholic believers who 'push' their beliefs more openly
but other than some recent political moves with girls wearing Muslim dress
most opt for relative conformity."
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