Catholic school uniforms continue to cover up

Photo Credit: Getty Images

While parents continue to wonder about the state of toddler girl clothes and bimbo-proofing daughters, there's a place where covering up continues to be the norm: Catholic school.

There will always be the argument for and against school uniforms. But if you send your kid to a Catholic school (and even some private non-religious schools), it's a given you're signing your child up for years of uniforms. The Chicago Tribune recently took a peek into what's happening at some of these schools in the Northeast and the tradition is still as strong as ever.

And while teen girls will forever try to roll up their skirts to show off more leg, school administrators are making it tough...by switching getting rid of uniform skirts in place of full-on jumpers.

The students don't seem to be complaining. One 16-year old girl told the Chicago Trib that she liked coming to school "on equal terms with everyone else."

As for the boys, khakis or navy pants with white polo shirts seems to be the norm. And both female and male students generally have some freedom with their footwear, although you won't see girls walking around in flip flips or Uggs.

Okay, so now I'll 'fess up. I donned a Catholic school uni for 12 years. The first nine, a grey Gabardine jump with an aqua (I know) sweater and Peter Pan collars. The last four, a wool herringbone skirt and jacket, white oxford shirt and, *gasp*, a brown tie. And I have to admit that I really loved not having to bother with picking out an outfit everyday. I just had to decide which shoes I want to roll with based on a mood. (I also had my fair share of uniform violations (read: detention) for accessorizing with a something like zebra-print spandex a la Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" days)

My oldest kid? Wears a uniform. Shorts, a polo with school-logo socks. In the winter, sweats (with the school's mascot on them), a polo and a school fleece. And I'm impressed with how much he digs it. In fact, the other moms and I are amazed that when presented with free dress days, a good portion of the class (and school) opts for their uniforms because there's no fuss involved.

Any parents with teens in school uniforms? Do your kids love them? Hate them?

Related links around Shine
When did you start wearing makeup? Tweens today spend $500 million a year on stuff like perfume and lip gloss
How to bimbo-proof your daughter
Clothes for toddler girls: Impractical and a sign of early sexism?
Tweens and bikini waxes: Trend, hype or just another excuse to call "bad mom"

From the Community…

Comments 1-6 of 6

Posted by pauline4683 Mon May 19, 2008 12:08pm PDT

I'm all for the school uniform. Public schools should get on the bandwagon. And although some kids may protest, they will definitly appreciate it when, "OMG, I woke up late, gotta catch the bus!". Nothing like picking up yesterday's uniform on the floor and putting it back on - I've been there! Especially in High School - I lived to be late to school! Anyway, I do think that High School administrators need to be a bit more strict with the dress code. I know when I graduated back in good ol' 1994, we girls did EVERYTHING possible to make our matronly uniforms look as cheerleader as possible. So, yes, yes, I love the school uniform but parents of highschoolers - warn the tailor not to hem your daughter's skirts!

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Posted by Amy Ann Tue May 20, 2008 7:04am PDT

I don't have children but I work in high school youth ministry (Catholic) and I must say that a couple of years ago one of the large Catholoc schools here was loking into implementing uniforms. Who was behind the proposal? The high school students, both boys and girls alike, who wanted to have uniforms! I was surprised at this, thinking that the freedom to dress however they wanted would outweigh the desire to have a quick "go to" in the morning. But as I talked to students about it they not only wanted to not have to think so much about clothes but also wanted an even field of clothes for everyone and wanted to see less skin on some of the student body (no pun intended).
The school did get uniforms and have recieved no complaints from the students. Though now that many are graduating they are joking about having a "uniform burning party" but that's more to celebrate than anything :)

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Posted by Tells Tue May 20, 2008 1:20pm PDT

I agree it is a lot easier to shop and dress for schools with uniforms. Most public schools kids where I live have to wear uniforms. I just wish the schools didn't all opt for the same colors(navy blue and white). It would be nice to be able to tell the the difference between the schools by uniform.

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Posted by Cutie128 Tue May 20, 2008 6:22pm PDT

I'm not a parent of a teen that wears uniform, I am one! At my school you can wear kakhki, or navy bottoms. Skirts and shorts can be at the shortest 1 inch above the knee. For the top you need to wear a logo free polo of any color.(this is a lil bit of a pain but they dont want people wearing Lacoste n other brands like that). I like this dress code because it give girls the freedom to wear pants instead of skirts all the time and also because we get to wear whatevr color we feel like so there is a lil bit of freedom to express yourself. Overall dress code makes my like SOOOO much easier!

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Posted by princess Wed May 21, 2008 5:59am PDT

I am not a parent but i'm a high school student
i do'nt want to have a dress coding because in our school,
which is a parochial school we need to wear blouses and the boys
would wear polos with school logos!!!
i mean, we should have a freedom in picking our clothes!!!
many students are complaining about our uniform but don't talk to our
director!!!
so I hate 'em!!!

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Posted by sunshines Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:21am PDT

WELL , as a chid they should be able to say what they like ...BUT need to reminded that its a rule and we all have rules in life .Uniforms are not an abusive thing to have a child wear ,if you feel that they shouldnt ,then remove your child and leave the school system there to run a successfull school and to educate children

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Comments 1-6 of 6

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