School Uniform Opinions?

[Bi-Poller]

First of all, I'm not a spam bot.
I'm just a student trying to get a mix of opinions on the concept of high school uniforms.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong section, by the way)

So, here it is: go to scrivener.tk/?p=11 and vote! :D
You can vote anonymously without any signup or anything- I'm just looking for some opinions and general thoughts.

[kashkin]

I finished school last year and wore a uniform, it's the norm in my country, I know of only one school that doesn't have one. I'm generally quite ambivalent to the issue. While I understand uniforms are a way to enforcing the school system and enforcing respect/deference for rules, etc, most people at my school never really cared about uniform and not much pride was taken in it.

[Smyg]

Doesn't exist in Sweden. At all. It's... rather unthinkable. It's absolute bullshit.

[Kamos]

First post and already sending us to a suspicious link to conduct a survey? SEEMS LEGIT.

[thefinalmarch]

I had to wear a uniform all through school up to and including year/grade 10. After year/grade 10 I moved to the senior campus (which I currently attend) of the same high school, which has a no-uniform policy. In conjunction with the mutual respect between staff and students, it does lead to a more "adult" environment which is generally much more conducive to learning.

[thefinalmarch]

I know of only one school that doesn't have one.
Which school are you referring to here?

[Arm Cathartha na hÉireann]

Although I didnt like uniforms at the time, surely they are a good idea no? Dont they remove some of the economic and social pressures off the kids and parents to buy new clothes to fit it at school and various social groups?

[Nox]

Although I didnt like uniforms at the time, surely they are a good idea no? Dont they remove some of the economic and social pressures off the kids and parents to buy new clothes to fit it at school and various social groups?

That isn't really true.

From my experience, nobody really cares what you wear.

[individualist communist]

I'm opposed to all forms of dress codes, no one should have the right to tell you what kind of clothes to wear.

[kashkin]

Which school are you referring to here?


University High School (weird name). I'm not sure exactly where it is, I think it's near the city.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

I'm not really that fucked, it's a trivial issue. It probably comes down to what sort of ethos each individual school has and whether mandatory uniform fits in with that.

Whatever gets results, and I don't really think the wearing of uniform comes into it.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Most of the schools that require uniforms here in the USA seem to be private schools.

When I think of school uniforms, I think mostly of preppy jackoffs.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Most of the schools that require uniforms here in the USA seem to be private schools.

When I think of school uniforms, I think mostly of preppy jackoffs.
More public schools in the US are implementing uniforms. Several in south Louisiana have uniforms now.

Here they tried to implement uniforms in my freshman year at the high school I went to ... public high school. When nobody showed up on the first day in uniform, they got pissed and sent angry letters to parents. Nobody wore the uniforms still, so they gave us a couple of weeks to get uniforms before 'disciplinary action' would be taken.

Some people came in uniform by the deadline, maybe 1/2 of the students, but they realized they couldn't put 600 students in detention ... 1200 students at the school total. Lather, rinse, repeat with more letters to parents and even less students showing up in uniform each week ... So they ditched the uniform completely. 8 years later, still no uniform at that school.

It was like a kind of passive student uprising. I enjoyed it.

[thefinalmarch]

University High School (weird name). I'm not sure exactly where it is, I think it's near the city.
oh, well then you probably don't know about mine.

[Agathor]

I was against school uniforms when I was forced to wear one. I changed my mind when I got older and realised that some of them are pretty sexy.

I have a suspicion that pupils are forced to wear uniforms for the same reason that soldiers are sometimes forced to shave their heads. It's a way to establish control, which isn't sexy at all.

[tir1944]

Uniforms are good because they "blur out" the class differences between kids (which "manifest" in clothing etc),therefore it could result in less bullying and tensions in schools.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

I was against school uniforms when I was forced to wear one. I changed my mind when I got older and realised that some of them are pretty sexy.

I have a suspicion that pupils are forced to wear uniforms for the same reason that soldiers are sometimes forced to shave their heads. It's a way to establish control, which isn't sexy at all.
Don't forget they're also reinforcing gender roles.

The girls wear skirts. What happens if a physical female who identifies as male doesn't feel comfortable wearing a skirt? Imagine a physical male in the same position.

My cursory examination tells me school uniforms can be an assault on the LGBTQ equality movement.

[edit]
Agathor, only the first line was adding to your post. It kind of looks like I'm being argumentative, but I'm not.

[tir1944]

Imagine a physical male in the same position. Eh and you know what would happen to a boy who came to school in a skirt?
Traumas for life.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Eh and you know what would happen to a boy who came to school in a skirt?
Traumas for life.
So the perceived reaction of other students for crossing gender lines justifies gender specific clothing?

[tir1944]

There were a few people I knew in high school who did that. And nobody cared.
Interesting...maybe you went to some "better" school...dunno,you might be right though,times are changing after all...

[tir1944]

So that justifies gender specific clothing?
No it doesn't.Why would you even ask this?:confused:

[PC LOAD LETTER]

I edited that out of my post, because it was mostly irrelevant. It was two guys I knew.
A few dick heads would make fun of them for being gay, but most people didn't care or just didn't express an opinion of it.

And the second post, maybe I just misunderstood you.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

uniform's are shit. control what we wear, control what we think and what we learn, control what we like and what we do. turn us into little robot workers who are all the same and who have no individuality in either our appearance or our ideas.

[MarxSchmarx]

One thing that troubles me in places like the US and Canada where there is no national curriculum is that uniforms are not heavily favored in wealthy and middle class communities but are imposed in working class (particularly urban, minority dominated) communities as a way to encourage discipline. I find this sickening.

However.

What I really liked about having uniforms when I was a student was that they made it easy to decide how to dress every day. Sure I had to iron my shirts and polish my shoes and all, but I never had to worry whether I was not quite expressing myself in the right way or whatever. Even now I have a limited wardrobe and I am honestly quite content with that.


Uniforms are good because they "blur out" the class differences between kids (which "manifest" in clothing etc),therefore it could result in less bullying and tensions in schools.

I tend to think this argument has some merit. Whether instituting uniforms and limiting everyone's individual choice is the correct way to minimize bullying and the sorts is questionable, but given that it does happen, it can help in that respect.

[tfb]

If they want to try to erase visible class differences, instead of making everyone wear a uniform they should just give clothing money to the poor students. My school uniforms were more expensive than the clothes I would have bought on my own, and everyone had to pay for their uniforms themselves. I ended up using whiteout on shirt stains and stapling my pants back together because I used the same uniforms for all 4 years of highschool.

It wouldn't erase class differences anyway, though. Maybe if no student ever talked or had any possession other than clothes and never ate lunch together and never saw each other outside of school...

My school had "dress down days", so what the fuck. The erasing class differences excuse doesn't work anymore once they start doing those. Plus you had to pay for them.

[Veovis]

School uniforms are just another way to make kids feel like a part of the machine. It was my understanding that schools are meant to educate children, not to institutionalize and impose conformity.

[NewLeft]

When my school got uniforms, they were priced over $400.. (I usually spend less than $200 on clothing each year) I could not pay for them, even when I had a job. So, I ended up transferring.. Yes it makes class differences slightly less obvious, but your hair, your makeup, your jacket, your shoes.. will become that much more important and they all reveal class.

[Fawkes]

Uniforms are good because they "blur out" the class differences between kids (which "manifest" in clothing etc),therefore it could result in less bullying and tensions in schools.

You can't dress away class. Fuck uniforms and the whole "economic" argument, you think kids won't buy as much clothing because they can't wear it at school? It's not like they wear their uniforms outside of the six or seven hours they're at school.

[NewLeft]

You can't dress away class. Fuck uniforms and the whole "economic" argument, you think kids won't buy as much clothing because they can't wear it at school? It's not like they wear their uniforms outside of the six or seven hours they're at school.

You're right. Even if you couldn't tell someone's class from their clothing, you could certainly tell by their manerisms..

[SHORAS]

It's a myth school uniforms save anyone any money cos your parents are simply having to shell out on top of what they normally buy as clothes. And anyway as others have said they are part of the whole control and order thing. How many pairs of trousers, shirt and blazers did you lot go though over years and years eh? Load of bollocks. Pair of jeans would have lasted a lot longer.

[Aloysius]

At my school, it's less of a uniform and more of a strict dress code. It really isn't that bad one you get used to it, but then you get tired of the uniformity (for lack of a better word).

I think a sort of anti-uniform passive-resistance type-thing (the hyphens...Oh the hyphens!) would be rather cool.

[Leftsolidarity]

Fuck uniforms

[rundontwalk]

Several in south Louisiana have uniforms now.
Yep. Uniforms were mandatory for everybody (first grade through 12th) in the parish I went to school in. At the time I didn't like them, but looking back on it they really weren't so bad.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Yep. Uniforms were mandatory for everybody (first grade through 12th) in the parish I went to school in. At the time I didn't like them, but looking back on it they really weren't so bad.
It's so strange. I know a bunch of people from Lafourche from a few years back ... the whole parish had uniforms. Terrebonne is the same way.

[rundontwalk]

It's so strange. I know a bunch of people from Lafourche from a few years back ... the whole parish had uniforms. Terrebonne is the same way.
I was up in St. James. But yeah it's like that all over the place down there.

It didn't discipline people too well since it seemed like even the first graders were going out every night getting drunk. (South Louisiana has the highest concentration of alcoholics on the planet I'd wager :lol:.)

[Teacher]

I am a teacher. I think uniforms are a trivial issue, like someone said. I'd say my personal opinion on them ranges from indifferent to generally positive. I don't like that some students are penalized socially by others because of the clothing they wear. Sometimes kids have families who can't afford the popular clothes.. and sometimes you have kids who simply harm themselves socially by making poor fashion decisions. While I'm sure those who are obsessed with individualism and "expressing themselves" will whine about it, in the long run I think the social environment of the school is probably made more healthy by them.

In the absence of strict dress codes or uniforms many girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified by their male classmates. Many students start wearing the clothing of whatever bizarre subculture they belong to and end up becoming unhappy when the natural negative social consequences result.

[Teacher]

And anyway as others have said they are part of the whole control and order thing.

You don't think schools should be controlled and orderly?

[The Old Man from Scene 24]

I support strict dress codes. It helps prevent discrimination against kids from 'unpopular' culture.

[Hexen]

uniform's are shit. control what we wear, control what we think and what we learn, control what we like and what we do. turn us into little robot workers who are all the same and who have no individuality in either our appearance or our ideas.

I think this is the entire purpose of uniforms and ultimately the "schools" themselves in capitalist society are really nothing more than training grounds for future obedient workers for the capitalists to exploit and dispose of.

[Lanky Wanker]

Although I didnt like uniforms at the time, surely they are a good idea no? Dont they remove some of the economic and social pressures off the kids and parents to buy new clothes to fit it at school and various social groups?

This would be a good point if uniforms weren't so expensive. I've seen kids at my school wear tatty uniforms that are either second hand or passed down from their siblings because their parents obviously can't afford a proper one for them; either that or they just don't care about their children.

Anyway, if we lived in a classless society where everyone's needs were taken care of, we obviously wouldn't need to worry about those who come from less wealthy backgrounds having to wear the same 3 shirts over and over again while the rich kids wear all their fancy clothes that go with the current trends. Speaking of wearing the same 3 shirts over again - how can anyone claim Sweden is a socialist country when my friend in Sweden has only a few changes of clothes and at one point didn't have enough money to eat dinner?

[brigadista]

i went to convent schools so had serious uniforms but customised them all the time -was always getting in trouble for it lol

[SHORAS]

I am a teacher. I think uniforms are a trivial issue, like someone said. I'd say my personal opinion on them ranges from indifferent to generally positive. I don't like that some students are penalized socially by others because of the clothing they wear. Sometimes kids have families who can't afford the popular clothes.. and sometimes you have kids who simply harm themselves socially by making poor fashion decisions. While I'm sure those who are obsessed with individualism and "expressing themselves" will whine about it, in the long run I think the social environment of the school is probably made more healthy by them.

In the absence of strict dress codes or uniforms many girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified by their male classmates. Many students start wearing the clothing of whatever bizarre subculture they belong to and end up becoming unhappy when the natural negative social consequences result.

They are trivial for you because you don't wear one while those you teach are forced to, without choice in the matter. Kids at school get picked on regardless of what they wear and banning or whatever is not an answer.

"harm themselves socially" - jesus christ, there is a lot of 'banter' at school, fucking around, 'having a laugh' none of it usually has any lasting effect whatsoever and is part of going to school. You're probably under the impression kids go to school to be well behaved and do their bit of learning well behaved ready for work when they come out. Well, for a lot of people school is fucking shit, boring and of no interest regardless of what one is wearing. It's a release from a boring existence, problems at home or otherwise. And besides when you're this age all you wanna do is have a laugh. It may not be 'big or clever' but then again you aren't big or clever at this age. Schools largely give students no say whatsoever in any field and force every aspect upon them.

"girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified" - another classic. So it's the girls fault right? You fucking dolt. The answer is not to bring everyone down but to raise the standards upwards, spiritually, understanding, expression and so on. I really despair sometimes. Did you actually go to school?

[Teacher]

They are trivial for you because you don't wear one while those you teach are forced to, without choice in the matter.

We don't have uniforms but we have to dress professionally. It is kind of a typical thing everywhere in the world (including the communist world) to have uniforms in formal settings like school and work.


Kids at school get picked on regardless of what they wear and banning or whatever is not an answer.

Sure they do, but you are kidding yourself if you think some kids don't make it worse for themselves. Especially teenagers who become alienated and retreat into their subcultures. That sort of thing is not "individual expression" or whatever you want to call it. It's hyper-individualistic and misanthropic behavior. A communist should not want kids to take this kind of a turn in their social lives because it will inevitably impact their political lives in a negative way (i.e., they probably will not have a political life at all and will start to define themselves in terms of their individual "identity" or subculture).


You're probably under the impression kids go to school to be well behaved and do their bit of learning well behaved ready for work when they come out. Well, for a lot of people school is fucking shit, boring and of no interest regardless of what one is wearing.

You sound like a frustrated kid who does not like school. Of course we all know the role that schools play in indoctrinating children into the ideology of the ruling class, forcing kids to endure boredom because that is what their work lives will be like, etc. But schools also give kids the practical things they need to be successful and stable in life (such as learning how to read, having a diploma, etc.) Kids who adopt this "school sux" attitude are not doing themselves any favors.


"girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified" - another classic. So it's the girls fault right? You fucking dolt. The answer is not to bring everyone down but to raise the standards upwards, spiritually, understanding, expression and so on. I really despair sometimes. Did you actually go to school?

Why are you so angry? This section of your post was really rude and out of line, frankly. I was not blaming the girls -- they are doing what the social and commercial pressures that sexist capitalist marketing places on them.

[SHORAS]

We don't have uniforms but we have to dress professionally. It is kind of a typical thing everywhere in the world (including the communist world) to have uniforms in formal settings like school and work.



Sure they do, but you are kidding yourself if you think some kids don't make it worse for themselves. Especially teenagers who become alienated and retreat into their subcultures. That sort of thing is not "individual expression" or whatever you want to call it. It's hyper-individualistic and misanthropic behavior. A communist should not want kids to take this kind of a turn in their social lives because it will inevitably impact their political lives in a negative way (i.e., they probably will not have a political life at all and will start to define themselves in terms of their individual "identity" or subculture).



You sound like a frustrated kid who does not like school. Of course we all know the role that schools play in indoctrinating children into the ideology of the ruling class, forcing kids to endure boredom because that is what their work lives will be like, etc. But schools also give kids the practical things they need to be successful and stable in life (such as learning how to read, having a diploma, etc.) Kids who adopt this "school sux" attitude are not doing themselves any favors.



Why are you so angry? This section of your post was really rude and out of line, frankly. I was not blaming the girls -- they are doing what the social and commercial pressures that sexist capitalist marketing places on them.


You're starting to remind me of some of those narcissistic parents who put their kids on anti-depressants and tranquilizers at six years old. I'll try and refrain from any more outbursts of emotion to keep you happy or should I say satisfied.

First paragraph is patronizing bullshit. Second, it is not the job of communists to tell or instruct people how to act, what to think etc. Why on earth are you thinking about kids 'political lives' at this age? And what's it got to do with you? Also why are you separating political from another part of life? Third, more patronizing bullshit. Being able to read is fundamental. Having a diploma or any certificate of so-called education is not. Though of course it may have benefits if you need to present it to an employer etc. You call in anger, I call it experience, emotion and reflection.

You sound like a Stalinist or a 'Marxist-Leninist' of some variety I would be very surprised if you were not. I actually find your views amazing and though I ridiculed a thread on Libcom about teachers being prison guards (which in part is quite satirical) there is absolutely some of that mentality in your whole attitude. It seems much more prevalent in the US than anywhere else though, I presume that's where you are. The same goes for medicating children but that's another thread. I don't want to derail this one.

[Buttress]

I didn't mind having to wear a uniform, but I would have rathered a more comfortable uniform (less ties).
There is something to be said about a uniform's class-dissolving qualities, mentioned before by tir1944. But I do not agree that uniforms should have to be worn in a particular way (and enforced strictly). That seems needlessly authoritarian. Let them have some semblence of individuality, even if it is at the expense of the school's professional "image"..

[blackandyellow]

What sort of school did you guys go to. My school the working class kid could fuck up the upper class kids, except maybe a a few rugby types

And if anyone says it reduces "cliques" i.e. groups not made on class, fuck off with your social engineering you bureacrat

[Arm Cathartha na hÉireann]

This would be a good point if uniforms weren't so expensive. I've seen kids at my school wear tatty uniforms that are either second hand or passed down from their siblings because their parents obviously can't afford a proper one for them; either that or they just don't care about their children.

TBH I was raising it more as a question rather than making a point, as it is one of the most common arguemnts I hear for introducing uniforms, which I did think had some merit to it but wanted to hear counter arguments.

Personally speaking as for the uniforms been more expensive thats proberly down to the School. For instance my uniform I had bought from ASDA, I only needed to purchase the badge to sew on, so it was relativly cheap. Although I know some Schools make you purchase only from a select few retailers or the school its self, which yes I agree is more expensive and a kick in the teeth for parents.

[Invader Zim]

That isn't really true.

From my experience, nobody really cares what you wear.

I can think of a few kids who most certainly would have used the issue as a means to bully other children at my school.

[RED DAVE]

I am a teacher.Me too. Over 30 years in a classroom, on and off.


I think uniforms are a trivial issue, like someone said.You think wrongly on this issue.


I'd say my personal opinion on them ranges from indifferent to generally positive.And you call yourself a evolutionary?


I don't like that some students are penalized socially by others because of the clothing they wear.Welcome to capitalism and its disgusting effects on young people.


Sometimes kids have families who can't afford the popular clothes.. and sometimes you have kids who simply harm themselves socially by making poor fashion decisions. While I'm sure those who are obsessed with individualism and "expressing themselves" will whine about it, in the long run I think the social environment of the school is probably made more healthy by them.And I am sure that you are wrong.


In the absence of strict dress codes or uniforms many girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified by their male classmates.All true. And they are also enjoying their own sexuality.


Many students start wearing the clothing of whatever bizarre subculture they belong to and end up becoming unhappy when the natural negative social consequences result.Comrade, all I can say is, you have a lot to learn about the relationship between lifestyles, rebellion, capitalist repression of sexuality, etc.

RED DAVE

[CommieTroll]

Just a tool used for the indoctrination of children into a dogmatic belief system in catholic schools.

[Lanky Wanker]

Just a tool used for the indoctrination of children into a dogmatic belief system in catholic schools.

And all over the UK, sadly. I wouldn't mind if they left it to the Catholic schools as they're being rounded up by the big ol' sheepdog and indoctrinated anyway, so uniform doesn't really change much for them.

[Lanky Wanker]

In the absence of strict dress codes or uniforms many girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified by their male classmates. Many students start wearing the clothing of whatever bizarre subculture they belong to and end up becoming unhappy when the natural negative social consequences result.

Just to add a few things to my first post about poorer families - the main/real reason kids are bullied and judged about what they wear is because of (you guessed it) capitalism. We have this sad idea in life that rich people are more intelligent, hard working and overall superior beings who we should aim to be like some day. I'll save you the pain of reading the 504,200,835th edition of "the working class are oppressed", as you've obviously heard it enough times already. Capitalism is also partially (or, arguably, largely) responsible for these strict fashions we follow, which I hope I don't have to explain to you. Turning women into sexual objects is also another thing which is heavily reinforced by capitalism. Poverty, "perfection" of image and sexism would (or at least definitely should NOT) exist in a true communist society.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

I think in certain areas where bullying based on clothing is epidemic than uniforms have their place but in any other areas they should be disregarded.

[Nox]

Uniforms are good because they "blur out" the class differences between kids (which "manifest" in clothing etc),therefore it could result in less bullying and tensions in schools.

That's what they're supposed to do, but they don't really do that.

[SocialistTommy]

School uniforms are forced upon us. In my school, we had to put forward ideas about the new uniform we wanted. We said no shoes (it was already like this), but instead Black trainers. What do the school do ? Enforce shoes as part of the new uniform -_-

[Invader Zim]

School uniforms are forced upon us. In my school, we had to put forward ideas about the new uniform we wanted. We said no shoes (it was already like this), but instead Black trainers. What do the school do ? Enforce shoes as part of the new uniform -_-

Poor you. Let me just find my violin.

[individualist communist]

I am a teacher. I think uniforms are a trivial issue, like someone said. I'd say my personal opinion on them ranges from indifferent to generally positive. I don't like that some students are penalized socially by others because of the clothing they wear. Sometimes kids have families who can't afford the popular clothes.. and sometimes you have kids who simply harm themselves socially by making poor fashion decisions. While I'm sure those who are obsessed with individualism and "expressing themselves" will whine about it, in the long run I think the social environment of the school is probably made more healthy by them.

In the absence of strict dress codes or uniforms many girls wear skimpy clothes and allow themselves to be objectified by their male classmates. Many students start wearing the clothing of whatever bizarre subculture they belong to and end up becoming unhappy when the natural negative social consequences result.
That's they own responsibility, you cant just start limiting freedom in such an extreme way just because some student will get bullied for the clothes they wear.

[Sputnik_1]

I think that some people here focus on wrong thing. It's not clothing to be a problem, it's the general attitude. If you consider someone to be worse or better because of clothes he/she wears than you've fucked up priorities.
Branding, media, importance of "the image" and such are the problem here, not people being free to dress as they want. The problem is, that people dress as been told by advertisement and convinced that it makes them somehow better - and it's all related to constant competition between brands - and so we end up with fetishization of products.

[Lanky Wanker]

I think that some people here focus on wrong thing. It's not clothing to be a problem, it's the general attitude. If you consider someone to be worse or better because of clothes he/she wears than you've fucked up priorities.
Branding, media, importance of "the image" and such are the problem here, not people being free to dress as they want. The problem is, that people dress as been told by advertisement and convinced that it makes them somehow better - and it's all related to constant competition between brands - and so we end up with fetishization of products.

Took the words right outta my mouth. :thumbup1:

[Desperado]

The conundrum is a dichotomy between enforced school uniform (without a doubt about enforcing discipline, as school does in preparation for capitalism) and general fashion (in which disparities of income are displayed and wealth is something to be proud of). I've experienced the former all my life, and the latter, at least in the charity days without school uniform, was equally evident - people judged for what they wore, kids even picked on for being "unfashionable".

The irony is that without the disciplining conformity of school uniform, there is a social conformity in fashion besides - one that favours wealth. Bucking either trend is best - challenging the discipline of school and consumerism through personal originality.

[dodger]

The conundrum is a dichotomy between enforced school uniform (without a doubt about enforcing discipline, as school does in preparation for capitalism) and general fashion (in which disparities of income are displayed and wealth is something to be proud of). I've experienced the former all my life, and the latter, at least in the charity days without school uniform, was equally evident - people judged for what they wore, kids even picked on for being "unfashionable".

The irony is that without the disciplining conformity of school uniform, there is a social conformity in fashion besides - one that favours wealth. Bucking either trend is best - challenging the discipline of school and consumerism through personal originality.

My answer is to look like a bag of shite tied up in the middle...whatever I'm wearing. I have broken my dear mothers heart....humiliated my sisters....even our drill sergeant sobbed...waved a white hankey. Various g.f's tried to launch a new Dodge, I hated myself when I saw the defeat and anguish in their eyes. Belatedly I have found the answer....move to the tropics. I now wear a pair of shorts.....polo or shirt made from pineapple fibre and flip-flops. Oh and straw hat. I'm happy, wifey OCCASIONALLY has to do up my zipper if we meet at the market. Even my daughter was happy to walk down the aisle with me, though she requested I did not dance.

ON balance school uniforms...cheaper the better coming from a family of nine kids.