Considering uniforms

[Stella]

The girls have requested that we get rid of most of their clothes and get them school uniforms. Initially I dismissed that, thinking that it was kind of strange for kids who are homeschooled, but having read enough here about people simplifying their wardrobes by adopting a kind of uniform, I am giving it further thought. A lot of their friends wear school uniforms and the moms seem to like it.

The girls and I looked online and found some pretty inexpensive school uniforms that don't look strange and uncomfortable. The stuff they were interested in were actually kind of cute, classic clothes. I could see why they liked them. These are some of the items they wanted.

Dress
Skirt
Blouse
Vest
Sweater

It would greatly simplify the laundry and clothing storage. It would also make it easy and less stressful to pick out outfits. Of course I'd make sure they had at least a pair of pants, exercise clothes and a few play clothes too. They have good quality outdoor gear as well for warmth.

I'd feel weird if I forced it on them, but as it is their request and it could really, really simplify the laundry, it does seem worth considering. I have been contemplating buying a higher capacity washer and dryer to handle our laundry. This would definitely be a cheaper solution.

[Simpler at Fifty]

I think it is a great idea. You have some pretty smart kids Stella.

[IshbelRobertson]

Most schools in the UK have a uniform.
I'm not sure why children who don't have to wear one would choose to do so!

[kally]

I think it is a good idea. They are tidy and nice and it makes them feel like part of the larger school-going population.

[kally]

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....hool&tid=10411

here is a discussion about this very topic.

[Float On]

I know when I homeschooled the boys we were much better students and teacher on the days where we dressed than the days we tried to stay in our pjs all day. If a uniform helps them 'put their mind on school' then I'm all for it.

[mtnlaurel]

Although not required by his school, my son essentially wears a uniform and has since he was out of baby clothes.
Super sturdy pants - I found some great ones at a Columbia outlet, super cheap and bought 5 prs. in ea. size they had - sadly he's on the last yr of them
It used to be collared golf like shirts that he would wear --- I could get a million washes out of Lands End shirts - put a long sleeve shirt under them in winter
Now he wants to wear Soccer shirts all the time which I'm finding at various consignment stores/thrift stores

I get about 12 prs of same socks for each kid every 2 yrs - totally speeds up sock sort.
Brown hikers for son - doesn't show dirt
Aqua for dd --- contrasts well with her things

Daughter - not really as much a uniform as son - but all things from consignment or thrift, with a few retail pieces thrown in to round stuff out.


What a blessing that your girls are asking for this!!!!
I see uniforms at kid consignment places all the time.

I wore a uniform in school and LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it!
No worries about being judged by your clothes or having to think about what to wear every day.

[crunchycon]

I remember ironing my five white short-sleeved blouses for school on Sunday night and that, along with making sure I had clean bobby socks and underwear, set me up for the week. Couldn't have been easier.

[Rosemary]

Is there a solution that doesn't involve scrapping what you have and buying new, such as finding a few items that are similar in color and defining those as their uniform? And then as you replace items, you could go along with some sort of dress code, such as navy or beige skirt/pants/sweater and white shirt.

Lands End sells uniform pieces and they are often available in their Overstocks online with free shipping (email coupons - also look for the 20-30% off email coupons, which apply to Overstocks).

[goldensmom]

Uniforms are a great idea, there are so many benefits as already mentioned and because you homeschool, the uniforms can be whatever you want them to be. Wise kids too.