When we think of school uniforms, we typically conjure up images of plaid skirts, polo shirts and khaki pants. But what if the landscape of school uniforms adapted to the growing athleisure trend? That’s an experiment a British school is willing to invest in. Students at Telford Junior School in Leamington Spa, England might soon be attending classes in joggers and hoodies.
According to the BBC, the school has already reached out to parents about the possible switch, which administrators say would cut costs to families and “save valuable lesson time.”
One mother told the BBC she worried the proposed hoodies would make students look “scruffy,” and that the conventional uniform instills important values like looking dignified and making an effort.
The benefit of the hoodies and joggers is that students could wear the same uniform for classes, physical education and games lessons. Currently, students wear a blue fleeced cardigan, white polo T-shirt, trousers or a skirt, and black shoes. The proposed uniforms would consist of a T-shirt, track-suit bottoms, white or black sneakers, a hoodie in school colors, and shorts for warmer weather.
“We want to retain a uniform code and make it more practical for the children,” headmaster Richard Siviter told the BBC. “I feel we need to move with the times. It’s an active curriculum and pupils need to feel comfortable.”
So the question is: Could hoodie uniforms catch on with other schools? Certainly students might enjoy the variety and added comfort. Would being more comfortable cause students to focus more or less? Either way, it will be interesting to see if Telford Junior School moves forward with the changes. For promotional apparel suppliers and distributors working with school uniforms, it might be time to reimagine the classic hoodie as a worthy uniform addition, or even pitch school clients on a radical overhaul of their uniform sets.
