Uniforms Understood

By Rilla H., Oak Bluffs, MA

When I read “Uniforms Understood” by Katie L., it made me realize how lucky I am to go to a school without uniforms. I would hate to have to look the same as all the kids in my school. I think that my style explains who I am, and if we had to wear a uniform, I would not be able to show that.

I like to express my mood through what I wear. If I wake up and feel like I just want to be comfy, then I wear my favorite sweats. If I feel like it’s my day to shine, I try to look my best. What people wear can say a lot about them, and I think that uniforms take that away. I hope that schools will reconsider the whole uniform idea and realize that many kids do not want them and they should go.

This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.

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P03tryPunk said...
Apr. 24, 2011 at 12:45 am:

I've gone to public school without uniforms and now I go to a private school with uniforms...I've got to say I like that I could wear whatever I wanted...Our school uniforms are not comfortable or flattering for girls...our shorts stand up by themseves when you put them on the floor and they make us look like guys...our crotch is several inches below where it actually is...but i do like the fact that I don't have to worry about what I have to wear in the morning but at my school it is hard to ex... (more »)

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Irrelevant said...
Feb. 10, 2011 at 2:49 pm:

I strongly agree with this. I went to a public school with uniforms for about 6 years. I hated it. I felt uncomfortable. I see the point in uniforms, they eliminate taunting and things like that, but I'd still like to express myself. My mother doesn't like them because you're just duplicating your wardrobe with clothes you'd only wear at school. That part seems...absurd.

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Striping.in.the.rain said...
Dec. 13, 2010 at 3:55 am:

I live on a military installation. I have for three years and we wear a 'uniform' which is just any color polo, khaki, black, or navy no denim or leather pants, and a belt. It's super strict. I'd love to wear actual uniforms like plaid skirts with blazers. The dress code that we have now, we have to go out of our way, buy brand new khakis and polos that we'd only wear to school and nowhere else with money we don't even have, and will out grow by next school year. I always have to wear the sam... (more »)

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Peque said...
Oct. 21, 2010 at 9:36 pm:

I go to a school with uniforms, and no matter what, you can always tell a person;s style with it. There is no such thing as looking alike because we all choose the way the uniforms hang, drape, appear, and our hair, accesories, and make up.

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Eirenne said...
Aug. 25, 2010 at 3:49 pm:

No disrespect, but I disagree. I have worn uniforms for most of my schooling, but I have also gone to schools without uniforms. I like uniforms better because I think that when everyone's wearing a uniform, we can be defined more by our personality, not just our clothing.

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destinee said...
Mar. 24, 2010 at 4:23 pm:

I actually disagree. Having worn a school uniform most of my life, I find them quite comfortable and simple. Just recently I joined a public school, and I see clothes often defining people's social status. I didn't see that with uniforms. Also, it saves a lot of time in the morning if you know what you're going to wear everyday.

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atue-awesomeness. said...
Feb. 8, 2010 at 4:33 pm:

I kind of agree with what you are saying. I know how it feels like to wake up one morning and feel like you want to wear sweat pants all day long. I have had uniforms at my school since my freshmen year in high school. Like many others, I was opposed to wearing school uniforms because I was afraid of blending in and not being able to stand out. But after a few months I realized that many of my peers actually looked more professional in the standard school attire. Even though we had limitations o... (more »)

Zazawish777 replied...
Mar. 2, 2010 at 7:32 pm :

i totally go with you. we have a mood and we want to show it. we should not let uniforms stand in our way!. ans i do not get why we need uniforms what good are they?

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Katherine D. said...
Feb. 8, 2010 at 6:24 am:

I totally agree. I personally take my sense of style very seriously, and while I find some school uniforms in books or movies completely adorable, uniforms conform people to fit their standards. They dimish creativy for those who are less artistic in other areas, and takes away such a vibrant form of self expression.