School Uniforms

“My daughter would like to join the school, but only if she doesn’t have to wear a tie.”

That was how one parent once began an enrolment conversation with me. Unfortunately for the daughter, our uniform did include a tie. The family chose our school regardless, and the dreaded tie became part of her daily attire.

Thinking about it, I don’t beleive I’ve ever worn a tie. My primary school didn’t have a uniform. They just asked that we didn’t come barefoot (though some kids still did). The only uniform I wore at that age was for netball: a pleated maroon skirt and any white T-shirt. A few girls managed to get away with long sleeves or tights when temperatures dipped into single digits, but only because the whole team would have to forfeit if they were sent home and we didn’t have enough players. For interschool competitions, we had the honour and priveledge of wearing matching ski suits provided by the school—always two sizes too big, swishy when you walked. Nothing says ‘Regional Debating Champions’ like matching jumpsuits. The absolute height of 90s style.

High school was different. I remember shopping for my first uniform as an awkward and confusing occasion. Skirts were sold extra long so they could be hemmed to the right length—my grandmother shortened mine to a modest length, so I’d always roll it up at the waist before entering the school gates. I wore it with a blue polo shirt in summer, a blouse in winter, and an itchy woollen sweater that smelled when wet with rain. We wore sandals in summer, lace-up shoes in winter, and the boys knee-high grey socks. Boys wore grey shorts and grey shirts year round. They’d only wear the itcy, smelly sweaters if they got really desperate. That’s why if you’re ever travelling and see someone wearing shorts when everyone else is wearing winter coats, it’s probably a New Zealander.

Rules were strict: no jewellery, no makeup, no nail polish. Boys were to be clean-shaven -so would try to grow as much as they could before being given a razor. Students would be sent home for extreme hairstyles. Notable mentions go to a fluro-orange mohawk and a group of friends who spent months growing afros then one lunchtime each shaved a bald patch on top. Our reward for making it to 7th form was having no uniform. We could wear what we liked—hoodies and jeans in winter, and surf or skate-brand T-shirts and shorts in summer.

With the new school year just a week away, uniform shopping will be on the to-do list for many parents. Those starting at a new school will be out to buy a full set, perhaps for two or more children. Others will be replacing items that have been outgrown or worn out, so their children look neat and fresh on their first day back. There are always reports of busy stores and sold out stock – so it’s best not to leave it too late.

Uniforms are something to factor in when choosing a school. I wouldn’t recommend avoiding a school just because of them—even if ties are involved—but it’s worth paying attention to expectations and costs. Some schools have different uniforms for different grades or seasons, meaning items may need replacing before they’re outgrown. Some schools enforce strict rules about what can be worn, when it can be worn and where it must be purchased, even setting expectations for shoes and hair accessories. Others are more relaxed—until class photo day, when mismatched socks and shirts suddenly send everyone into a frenzy.

In Dubai, I’m not aware of any schools that don’t have a uniform, though some senior students will instead have a ‘dress code’, with similar expectations to traditional office attire.

Uniform costs vary significantly from school to school, dependent on many factors. When preparing a School Shortlist for clients, I always ask if their budget includes uniforms, or whether they’ve set aside extra. Some schools will advertise their fees as ‘uniform included’ but parents should always check exactly what this entails. For those budget conscious second-hand sales are often a great way to save and good for the environment too. Items purchased from third party suppliers can also be found on discount, or cheaper than in mandated stores. Parents concerned with cost should also be wary of schools that have different uniforms for different grade levels which can require purchasing replacement items before otherwise necessary.

At Navigate.Ed, we’re here to make joining a Dubai school easy! We can help you calculate your predicted school costs; including a breakdown of uniform expenses. We can even assist with purchasing uniform items in store, or provide a Dubai delivery address for online purchases - particularly useful for families moving here just before term begins.