It was the first day of school. Yasmin was so excited! New books, new teachers, new classes -- she was looking forward to a brand spanking new school year in high school! Alas, she looked at her closet and saw a generic high school uniform: the standard white blouse and tailored skirt paired with a necktie matching the school colors. How can she express her funky personal style? After a summer of fun clothes and accessories, how does she express herself without breaking school rules and being sent to the principal’s office (yikes!)?

            Let’s see what Yasmin can do to spice up her threads so she can stand out in a crowd of similarly garbed students.

What’s a School Uniform For?

            Historically, students in the Philippines began wearing uniforms during the American colonization in the 1900s in the public school system as part of the education modernization program. Before that, Catholic schools headed by friars imposed a dress code in prescribing what a student can and cannot wear. Even in the novels of Jose Rizal like the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, students were described as wearing coats and trousers -- conservative and professional.

            Some school administrators are motivated by a need to control “gang clothing” to prevent rival groups from violent encounters within the place of learning and as a sign of school discipline. Others also cite that they want to remove the pressure for families to buy expensive designer brands so that their children wouldn’t be ignored by “fashion cliques” in high school. In schools with a dormitory for those who live far away, a school uniform also prevents theft somehow since there is a smaller chance for students to feel envious of another’s outfits.

            Some schools require uniforms based on the nature of the training the students receive, like in health occupations (very clinical, all white) or in nautical or military-style courses. Most high schools require a school uniform to reflect a sense of pride and affiliation, increase a school’s sense of community and self-esteem of students, according to the Economist magazine. A student can really be identified with the school he/she is enrolled in based on the uniform worn even outside the school premises.

            However, the efficiency of uniforms, in improving academic performance and student attitudes, is often debated in schools in the US, Canada and Europe since they have laws regarding the freedom of expression in the academe. In Germany, for example, the Nazis during the reign of Adolf Hitler banned student hats – the last remaining form of unified student clothing – because they considered hats an attribute of class society.

Pros and Cons About Wearing a Uniform In High School

            Those in favor of uniforms claim there are many advantages: improved scholastic performance, student security, student discipline, and school morale, according to a study by Caruso. Research also shows that clothing can create a "halo effect," where a student in uniform is seen as better behaved, a high academic achiever, and someone with academic potential, particularly when they wear a "dress uniform," i.e., pants or skirt with a blazer, for formal events.

            On the other hand, some students like Joanne Kristine Costo say that they hate uniforms because, “wearing one makes me feel homogenized and insignificant.” Syd Dagal adds, “the nasty smell the uniform cloth gives you at the end of the day is just so, eewww!”  Jenn Gonzales also complained that her all white gala uniform easily gets dirtied and she always has to be conscious of her movements during her period.

Restyling/Redesigning the School Uniform to fit the Philippine climate and culture

            Uniforms in the Philippines are evolving through time. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, it was fashionable for girls to cut the hems of their pleated skirts to shorten them into mini-skirts; shoes were either platform clogs or cork wedges. Boys in that era wore bell-bottomed pants and had wide collars. In the ‘90s, the trend was for girls to have longer skirts, way beyond the knee-length prescribed in school handbooks. Boys wore printed shirts under their white polo and boots or sneakers to signify that they are either grunge rockers or hiphop enthusiasts.

            In 2007, uniforms have to be redesigned to adapt to climate (hello, global warming!) and our technologically-wired culture. It’s always a challenge to find the perfect middle ground for back-to-school clothing since it depends on several factors like the school denomination, location of the school, facilities, and mode of transportation of the student. If the school is relatively strict, then it’s best to stick with the school uniform but accessorize through shoes and bags, badges and pins, hairstyles and clips, jewelry and watches. Pins with a slogan, a funny quotation or picture of your favorite band can be a nice touch on the sling of a bag, the collar or a breastpocket. A haircut that perfectly frames the shape of your face is also a good touch (some schools don’t allow haircolor so better check with your homeroom adviser first). A watch is also a stylish addition to the uniform, be it classic or chunky, sleek or texturized.

            Since it’s terribly hot during the dry months and totally wet during the rainy season, a school uniform should be tailored to such seasonal changes. Unless the school is wholly airconditioned, long sleeved tops should be avoided. Light colored fabrics should be used for the tops only, while dark colored  for the bottoms to help commuters minimize unsightly stains from the dirt on the streets, public transportation, food items and school materials. A school jacket, like in Ann Bautista’s high school, or a school umbrella can be part of the school uniform, especially when heavy rains start to pour. Footwear, as part of the uniform, should also be seasonal, just like in temperate countries. For the hot weather, cute sandals or flipflops with the school emblem should be allowed for the girls while boys can wear sensible sports sandals (make sure your toes are clean, of course!). For rainy weather, boots or other waterproof shoes can be prescribed to keep the feet comfortably dry.          

            Since most students have gadgets for communication or entertainment, uniforms should also have slots or inside pockets to keep the gadgets safe. A school uniform with built-in holes for an iPod or velcro straps for earphones of a mobile phone would be really useful -- provided, the student exercises enough discipline to use them only when it’s not the time for classroom lessons.

Cool Uniforms for Boys and Girls

            Marki Rabalo, a student,  suggests that an example of a cool uniform for highschoolers would be like the Japanese animé uniforms. Stylized school uniforms are prominent in popular Japanese comics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura. Four Tekken video game characters also wear school uniforms.

            Some other suggestions for a cool uniform include dress pants or slacks for girls, instead of the typical pleated skirt or pinafore (apron style). Other students, when asked what they would like, prefer wearing a skort (skirt with built-in shorts for modesty and practicality) and a sailor-type blouse that’s fitted to the torso. School badges and neckties or ribbons can also have a touch of coolness if schools would allow students to attach pins and brooches or have their name embroidered in a personalized font. During the cold months, one can also wear a vest or a cardigan over the white shirt for a layered preppy look. An amazing backpack, postman’s bag, newsboy or trucker cap, and well-shined shoes also do wonders for an otherwise drab attire.

            Yasmin doesn’t have to trade in her personal style for a boring set of everyday sameness. She can still indulge in self-expression within the bounds of school rules. As the bell rings, she knows she can strut along the hallways of  her high school in an outfit that can score 100% in the realm of style.

Sources:

Caruso, P. (1996). Individuality vs. conformity: The issue behind school uniforms. NASSP Bulletin, 80, 83-88.

Consunji, B. (2007). Schizo School Fashion. Philippine Daily Inquirer, C1, C2.

Dressed for survival. (1994). The Economist, 332, 32.

Swartz, S. (1996). An Examination of the Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior. Southeastern Louisiana University, unpublished research Proposal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/school_uniforms, Date accessed: July 2007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_school_uniform, Date accessed: July 2007