School Uniform Gallery

Pictures of school uniforms can help parents and kids in a variety of ways. They can see examples of different types and styles of uniforms and even see how children in different parts of the world may dress. Although there is plenty of variation in the type, style, and color of school uniforms, their purpose is similar - to help students convey a neat appearance and put the focus on education. School uniforms have a long history, and you can see traditions as well as some modern updates and ideas in this slideshow.

Grey trousers or knee-length skirts, button-down white shirts, and ties are a traditional look that many schools employ. Ties may be more common in middle school and high school uniforms for stricter school dress codes, though some primary schools also require them. Some schools require specific shoe styles as part of their uniform, while others may only require that the shoes are a certain color (such as black).

Preschool and kindergarten uniforms are usually kept fairly simple to accommodate young children's activities. Khaki pants and a simple solid-color polo for boys, and a basic jumper and polo or collared shirt for girls allow little ones freedom for active play, circle time, playground activites, and other educational activites involving movement.

Instead of or as an option to skirts, some schools (usually primary) may have a collared shirt and jumper or pinafore as an option. Because it's loose and can easily be worn over the uniform short, it's not restrictive for elementary aged girls.

Student's may need to add pieces to their school uniform in cooler climates or during chilly fall and winter temperatures. Schools that employ dress codes may have options for outerwear - such as pullover or cardigan sweaters in a specific color. If girls are required to wear skirts as part of their uniform, the addition of tights in a specified color can make them more suitable for colder weather.

Many schools keep the dress code or uniforms relatively simple, such as a short-sleeved polo top in a specific color (often white or light blue) and dress pants in black, navy, or khaki colors. A uniform like this may also require a specific shoe color. A simple uniform like this can help keep costs down for parents, and also make them more accessible because it's easier to

High school uniform designs (and in some cases middle school) may have a lot more going on than a very basic primary uniform. The dress may include collared shirts, ties, and even blaxers or jackets that bear a school mascot, logo, or other insignia. The uniforms may reflect some of all of the school's colors.

Rather than requiring female students to wear skirts, many schools are now moving towards options for their students (allowing girls to wear skirts or trousers, whichever they prefer) or gender-neutral uniforms. The jacket, shirt, tie, sweater vest, jacket, and pants shown here are the same for both the male and female student. Many believe that gender-neutral uniforms increase the feelings of equality among female and male students. They are also helpful for students who do not identify themselves as one specific gender.

Some schools also allow the option of shorts with their school uniform policies. This can be a great choice for areas with warmer weather, if the seasons change and temperatures heat up, and for active primary school students. Pictures of primary school uniforms show that kids these age are often active, so uniforms that work well with movement are an ideal choice.

In some areas, such as South Africa, all public and private schools require a uniform in order to attend. Since the cost of the uniform can be a financial hardship on families, being able to get a uniform and attend school is momentous for many students. Some areas also have programs in place to provide school uniforms to orphans and other students in need for free.

A classic Japanese school uniform that has been used in the past for females is the sailor suit, which features a blouse that has a sailor style collar, a bow or tie in front, and a pleated skirt. This specific style of uniform has often been seen in Manga (Japanese comics or graphic novels) and Anime.

Some schools may not have an exact uniform that is exactly alike among students, but have specific dress code requirements students must abide by. For example, students may be able to choose from white, light blue, or navy polo shirts, and have the option of navy or khaki pants, trousers, or skirts. This could be called a dress code or is sometimes referred to as a consistent school or student body look. Kids' feelings on school uniforms differ, but some may perfer this route as opposed to a single look.

In certain locations, such as China, schools may have uniforms that are styled more like a track suit than dressy clothing. Pants may have an elastic waist and be slightly loose, paired with a polo style or other style of top.

The best colors for uniforms vary greatly between different locations. While many schools choose neutral colors such as grey, black, white, tan, and navy, there are also many options as well. The navy vest, white shirt, and tie shown here is pretty traditional, but the gold stripes in the jacket give it a more creative flair.

Some places also incorporate accessories into the school uniforms to keep a consistent look. Areas with hot climates may include hats as part of their student's uniforms to help protect them from heat and harmful sun rays. Other required accessories might be knee socks, sweaters, blazers or jackets, ties or bows, sweater vests, or a specific type of footwear.

Although many schools adopt a dress code that requires neutral or understated colors, some might go with a bolder option, such as the green check print and green slacks shown here. This could related to the school's colors in some cases, or it may be particular to a certain region.

Many schools have different uniforms for gym class, and students are required to change out of their regular uniforms into less restrictive ones to participate in physical education class. These can range from a basic cotton t-shirt and shorts to sleeveless athletic performance wear tops and matching shorts.

In some cases, students might be required to wear certain colored clothing (such as a plain t-shirt or sweatshirt) on a certain day or school spirit day. A specific shirt color could also be required to indicate a group of students are involved in a special class or group, such as robotics.

Within the U.S. and around the world, there is lots of variation among school uniforms. Wearing school uniforms (and what form they take) has been the subject of frequent controversy, varying opinions, and been a topic of debate for their pros and cons. However, many feel there are benefits associated with them such as an increased focus on education and reduction in violence in among the student body. Browsing through school uniform styles can educate and inform, or just give you ideas if your child's school has a flexible dress code requirement.