The Sunday News
Peter Matika
WHOEVER said one can’t look good in uniform sure as hell lied.
Of course uniforms were created to establish identity for different institutions.
However, what started as a playful exercise in sustainable fashion has now turned into an international movement for positive change. Fashion designers have created a social movement that combines fashion, design, creativity, media, and philanthropy.
If we say and hear about doctors and nurses we think of a person in a white uniform.
A person wearing basic white scrubs can be easily identified as a medical practitioner, health worker or can be easily labelled as a doctor or nurse.
Even in a movie, you commonly see an actor portraying as a doctor or nurse in simple scrubs. It is that we are used to seeing them in their boring basic scrubs not knowing that in this new generation, there are lots of colourful and stylish scrub that have been used or even patronised.
As we observe, when it comes to the medical uniform’s colour, usually the customary colour is white, a colour that inspires hygiene, but this is not a standard, the uniforms may have any colour, depending on what the company wants. Some prefer vibrant colours because they are nice and look good especially for those that deal with young children. Colours are there to cheer the little ones up. But of course, white medical scrubs remain to be the best selling scrubs as usual.
Although the simple single colour calls out for professionalism the world is changing and so does the uniform.
Although there are restrictions in some countries such as ours when it comes to casually dressing in police and army designs, the trend has grown world over and is fab if I may add.
Anyway uniforms are used to differentiate institutions, particularly to instil discipline.
With that thought in mind schools make their students wear uniforms as a possible way to identify with the school and help lessen violence in school, especially among High School kids.
Trying to limit violence in the media has been a futile effort as teenagers still fight among each other obtaining the violent nature from games and movies. Turning on the news channel provides just as much violence. The question to prevent violence is not so much about sealing kids in a protective bubble as about the level of interaction parents need to have in their child’s life. A high school uniform might help eliminate some tensions, but there are other things that need to be combined in the hopes of effectively ending violence among teenagers. High school uniforms are a popular choice in public schools.
Having a school uniform has been cited as one way to level the competition between kids at school. If everyone looks the same, then maybe school uniforms can make some of the issues concerning status disappear. Usually the clothing type a teenager wears reflects their economic status, group affiliation, or can make a statement on personal beliefs.
But alas nobody wears a school uniform by choice. But cheer up, there are loads of things you can do to maintain your usual stylish, hip and cool self, even in the strictest of uniforms!
If your school allows, you can wear jewellery. Pick out some cute earrings. If your school doesn’t allow jewellery, try getting some cute studs and maybe one of those plaited bracelets made of wool in different colors. They’re easy to make and look great.
Try getting an attractive wristwatch. They’re handy and look fantastic. Plus, they are practical for school and they shouldn’t get you into trouble unlike bracelets.
Don’t forget the accessories in your hair (for the girls). Use cute hair clips and colourful scrunches, bows and cool headbands. Accessories have a big impact on how you look.
Cut your hair differently and as most schools do not allow wild hair colours, stick to the basics. If your school allows it, dye your hair a funky colour. Like maybe get a colour that says “Hey look at me” down one side of your hair. Your hair will look unique and quirky.
With some schools, especially private colleges, they are not that strict with uniform trends. School shoes are different socks and all. You can keep yourself looking professionally stylish in your uniform with custom made pants and skirts that abide with the schools rules. Not too short or too tight, you wouldn’t want to be calling for the wrong type of attraction on yourself and the school.
Don’t wear everything too tight. Pair the tighter shirt with your regular uniform to add interest. Or do vice-versa to add balance to your image.
If allowed, add a hat, cool jacket or scarf to accessorise your wardrobe. Beware though, as you may get in trouble with some teachers or authorities if you are indoors.
Go shopping for a bag. Fill it with things you need everyday at school, like stationery.
You can also label your stuff in nice typing labels.
Don’t forget your school bag or backpack. Put stickers on the zippers, label your name in your best markers, and put a couple of cool key rings there. Maybe you can even get your friends to write personal messages on it. Stick badges, safety pins, band patches and stickers on your bag to make it original.
Till next week, hit me up on whatsapp or sms ONLY to 0772337433
