Catholic school uniform question

[Tinks]

If you have a child in catholic or private grade school, or if you yourself went to private grade school, how did the school handle your uniforms? Were you told you must wear a certain color pant or skirt of a certain length or were you told you must buy your pant/skirt from XXXXX store only. Just curious.


Our school is about to implement a stricter dress code that states we must buy our uniform pants and skirts from one particular store (which happens to be a catholic store not affiliated with the school) The junior high girls will now no longer allowed to wear skirts. I think this is going to come as a surprise to many families at our school and can just imagine the flack that is about to hit the proverbial fan! The dress code currently is buy your pants anywhere but they must be uniform (i.e. no cargo, no stripes and the skirts must all be to the knee and uniform plaid)

I was told by one of the committee of 6 who made this decision that most other catholic schools have this stricter version of the dress code (was given example of one in Chicago and one in Texas) and no one will be too upset. True? While I'm not thrilled I have to go out and purchase all new pants and won't be able to get them from Target, it isn't too much skin off my nose. Just not in favor of being told I have to shop at one place.

Thanks for letting me ramble! What was your dress code like?

 

[Erin1700]

I went to Catholic school from K-12, you could get a lot of the uniform anywhere such as boys pants, girls blouses, socks, etc. Not until after I graduated high school and when my sister was there did you have to wear skirts at a certain length and it was then that they let girls wear certain pants purchased thru uniform company. I believe now, you do have to go to a store called Flynn and O'Hara to buy everything! You go in and tell them what school you go to and they bring out what you need.

 

[deelam]

My sons go to catholic school in NJ. They are required to wear navy pants, white dress shirts, navy ties, and navy sweater vest. They said it was manditory to buy the uniforms from a place called Flynn & oharra's. I buy whatever I can elsewhere, like Target & Sears. It is soo much cheaper! The monogram stuff, like sweater vest & gym suits I buy from Flynn & Oharras. Most parents at our school do the same as me. If I purchased everything at Flynn & Oharras like the school said, it would cost hundreds more.

 

[pettyone]

DD will be starting 1st grade at a local Catholic school this August. Their dress code mandates that items be purchased only at the supplier that the school names...the only flexibility they give us is that we can purchase our own turtlenecks (white), crew socks (white), and sneakers (you guessed it, white)...

 

[mommasita]

My daughter switches to this in Sept. We need navy pants, skirts, skorts, white blouses, etc. which can be bought anywhere banana: for that).. The only thing that MUST be bought at the school store is the Cardigan. School gym uniform is also a standard color(forget) but can also be purchased anywhere..

 

[mickeyboat]

Long long time ago, I wore a uniform in elementary school. We had a specific pattern of skirt/jumper/pant that we could wear. I think even the shirt was a specific shirt, but you couls wear a sweater of your own if it was the right color. I assume you had to buy the uniform at a specific store, but they had uniform swaps a couple times of year where you could trade unforms. I remember there being hundreds of uniforms at the swap, and I really doubt my parents ever bought new ones.

 

[Kath2003]

In the UK pretty much all school kids have to wear uniform.

Younger kids usually have to wear a certain color skirt or pants and shirt which are available from most department stores; and then they have to buy a sweater with the school's logo/design on it and sometimes a tie from the place which the school supplies the items from (there is usually also a second hand store).

Older kids (11+) usually have to wear a certain type of skirt/pants which are only available from selected stores. There is also a second hand store usually available.

They usually have to wear a shirt of a certain color which is available from regular department stores.

Sometimes the school has a specific sweater for the kids to wear - in that case, specific stockist. My school just made us wear a navy v-necked sweater which we could pick up from regular department stores.

Often high school kids have to wear a blazer which is only available from the school's stockist. The tie is also only available from the school's stockist.

I was required to wear (in highschool)

• Navy skirt (selected store only)
• White Shirt (any store)
• Navy jumper (any store)
• School tie (selected stores)

When I was in Year 11 (so aged 16) I had a new jumper at the start of the academic year. I stupidly left it near my hamster's cage, and the hamster ate through the sleeve and made a bed from it. Mum was NOT happy but she bought me a new one.

Two days later, in chemistry, I put my sleeve in some hydrochloric acid accidentally.

Yup, my navy sweater had a big pink patch in the arm. My Mum refused to buy me another jumper because I was already on my second!

I wore it with a pink spot for three months until I got a job and could afford to buy myself a new one.

 

[Rachie0507]

My kids' Catholic school does not require us to buy everything at a certain store, but does suggest one certain store in the area. It is actually the only store around here that sells uniforms at all, so I either have to go there or to an online store. For DD, I bought two jumpers and the monogrammed cardigan at that store. I was able to get a few hand-me-down blouses. I had to get her gym uniform at a different store, but it was pretty inexpensive. When DS starts kindergarten in September, I will buy him a couple of polos and a vest at the 'special' store and his gym uniform at the sports store. I plan to buy his pants elsewhere--he is very slim and hard to fit. He can wear any navy colored, traditional (no cargos, etc) pants. Overall, it will cost $200 to do our school shopping and it so easy to get them ready for school with fewer choices--one of my favorite perks of Catholic school

 

[Bob Slydell]

I think it's easier, in general, with boys rather than girls, when it comes to uniforms. At least it is with DS' school because the girls uniform is a plaid skirt which I can't imagine you'd find anywhere other than a uniform store, whereas with the boys, any white or light blue short and navy pants is allowable.

We did buy DS some pants and shirts from the uniform store that carries his school's clothes, but we also have some other shirts and pants purchased from different stores as well.

 

[Minnesota!]

I went to Catholic school k - 12.

K - 8 we had to wear a certain type of plaid - it was green/navy/white. Jumper. With a white peter pan collared blouse under it. White or navy socks. Dark shoes. Only could be bought at Donalds - a local store here.

9-12 - had to wear a grey skirt, white or light blue blouse with a pointed collar, white socks and black penny loafers - all which was supplied only by Donalds.

The store had a chart in the uniform area, with each Catholic school in the metro area, and what you needed to purchase.

Now I think both schools have relaxed "a bit". The blouses you can get at Target, and I think the girls are allowed to wear navy pants, too, which you can buy at Target..

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

DD is required to wear a uniform - the kindergartners' uniform is a little different than the older kids (she can wear a skort with a polo shirt, or her gym uniform). Next year we have to get the actual uniform (jumper type dress, shirt with peter pan collar) in the school's plaid. Since it's that "Catholic school plaid" that you never see in any store (Target, etc.) it's easiest to just get it from the uniform store. I haven't checked online to see if I could find it there.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have to buy all of the kids clothes from Flynn and O'Hara. Even the girls white turtlenecks have to have the school insignia on them! The initial investment is quite expensive but I know that the girls uniform jumpers hold up very well. I'm lucky that my girls are only 15 months apart so I just past the girls uniforms down. Ds's old uniforms (still in good shape) I give to the principal at the end of the year. She gives used uniforms in good conditions to some of the families who might be having a difficult time.

Just off topic - I LOVE uniforms. If I had to deal with dd's picking out an outfit every day I'd be nuts. Its crazy enough on "dress down day"!

 

[barkley]

my kids went to a christian school that did uniforms. originaly there were rules about what boys/girls could wear and we could purchase from a company the school contracted with or get the identical knock-offs at the local department stores (about the only thing you could'nt get was the plaid jumpers). then the school was approached by the uniform company and told if they put an 'authorized uniforms only' clause in effect they would get a kick back from the company. that fall the ax fell and ONLY items purchased from that company and baring their official logo could be worn. this included coats, jackets, hats, scarves (pretty much everything except underwear and socks). the prices were INSANE. to start up a child (say a girl) with a couple pairs of pants, 4 tops, a jumper, a skirt, light sweater and a couple of 'skorts' (NO shorts for the girls) you were looking at easily $500. then when winter hit and you had to plan on a coat, hat and a few of the 'authroized' long sleeve shirts-plan on another few hundred dollars. it was crazy expensive. but the school liked getting their kickback so it still does it to this day.

my kids go to another christian school now-and while they have a strict dress code it's not about uniforms, it's about 'modest dress'. their attitude is that they've seen too many kids who wear uniforms go to the other exteeme when they are in 'private life' or hit the age when the private schools no longer require uniforms. so our dress code is-no low rise or 'droopy' jeans, no high rise tops, no sleeveless tops (male or female), skirts, dresses and shorts (boys and girls) must be knee length (and none of those babydoll type dresses that fly up when the girls bend over). printed items are strictly limited-and we get a new list of 'banned' characters, logos and the like periodically. and all clothing must be 'serviceable'-so no sending anyone in anything that you don't want them doing a physical activity in or working with products that may dye or stain them. if the kid comes in out of dress code (older) the principal has some men's xxxl flannel shirts that the kid will be instructed to put on and button from top to bottem until their parents bring in approrpriate clothing (and they call you very quickly-and will teminate attendance if you disregard the code), with the younger ones who violate (mostly the character bans) the offending shirt is turned inside out and worn that way.

seems to work pretty well-most of the kids have pretty toned down tastes when it comes to their non school daily wear. and i know budget wise it works realy well for us (dd has def. developed a comfort over trend attitude so it's lots of inexpensive stuff).

 

[cybrkitn]

My DS4 is in Lutheran pre-school and will be starting Kindergarten there in September. They also have a uniform policy for K-8 but it was just laxed this year where parents can now buy pants/skirts outside of the uniform company that they use. Just as long as it's a navy color. The rest of the uniform must be bought from the company they use. That is great for parents to be able to buy according to their budget.

His school is having measurements done tomorrow for uniforms. I'm just a little confused b/c he's 4 and is just starting to hit another growth spurt. How can measurements be done for a child who hits growth spurts in Fall and Spring ? He'll be one size in September and in another by March.

 

[DISUNC]

(which happens to be a catholic store not affiliated with the school)

I have been out of Catholic school for 30 years...It hasn't change much at all!

My parents HAD to buy our (siblings) uniforms from a Specific store too. (not affiliated...but did give kickbacks to the church) They were the ONLY ones who sold it. Maroon Jacket w/ emblem on breast pocket, gray pants with maroon striping down the leg, and maroon tie with the emblem on it also.

I do remember my Mom complaining about the price. And if we ever ripped, tore or stained any of it..there would be Heck to pay!!!!!!

I do remember wearing a very very tight uniform in 8th grade!!!! It was my last year for that uniform...and my parents werent buying a NEW ONE!

 

[deelam]

I do remember wearing a very very tight uniform in 8th grade!!!! It was my last year for that uniform...and my parents werent buying a NEW ONE!

I must say that I buy the monogrammed stuff a little bigger so that we get 2 years out of it. I would hate to buy new uniforms the year he graduated.

 

[nuke]

Our school is the Girls k-4 wear the plaid jumper/white blouse. Girls 5-8 wear plaid skirt/white blouse.
Boys k-8 wear Navy Slacks/ White polo shirt.

The jumpers and skirts have to purchased at the uniform store. They require you to buy the boys pants and shirts there also but there are families that just can't afford it and buy them elsewhere.

I find that the pants and shirts from the uniform store hold up really well so I don't have a problem buying them there.

 

[Tinks]

Well I guess it won't be too surprising to folks! It sounds like many schools do require one shop shopping.


Arrrrgh! It just chaps my behind that I'm being told I have to buy navy pants from XXXXXXX. I'm really struggling with this one. (A little hormonal to boot so maybe that's why) I hope it's not as bad as it sounds to me. I think my problem is I didn't see a problem with the dress code as it stands now. It's not like we have rampant dress code violators now

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

In San Antonio and Little Rock, both Catholic school dioceses require uniforms of a certain plaid from a certain store. We had the same thing at our private non-Catholic school in Mississippi However, included in that uniform was a plain navy and plain khaki pant/skirt/short option where you could purchase that item at a store like Target as long as it was identical to the one sold at the uniform store.

Having been thru three different uniform situations in three different states, I can tell you that no matter what that uniform costs you, it's less expensive than street clothes!

 

[BuckNaked]

Our Catholic school has the same policy, as do most, if not all, of the other ones in this diocese, though not all schools use the same store.

Our school does maintain a uniform closet though, and it works well because the uniforms are very well made and last a long time. You can trade an item in and take an item out, or you can take any item out without a trade for $1.