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Save for the most fashion-conscious of us, most people simply dread having to stand in front of the closet thinking, "I don't have anything to wear!"
Ah, the good ol' days of wearing school uniforms...Take a walk down memory lane and get re-acquainted with various official school attire from our adolescent days - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
If you fall under the category of students that adhere to the NUS 'school uniform' i.e. t-shirt and jeans/shorts; which by the way, makes up 75% of our school population, you'd probably reminisce about the times when you didn't have to spend all that time thinking of what to wear and just simply pull out that all-purpose outfit from your wardrobe.
In fact, I happen to know a number of people who religiously plan when to re-wear their outfits on days where they have classes with different people, either to escape the chore of deciding on what to wear for an additional day, not to waste a good outfit after wearing it only once, or simply so as not to have so much laundry to do. For heaven forbid should one be caught wearing the same outfit twice!
Of course, this dilemma is non-existent when one has to wear a school uniform. A decent-looking one, that is.
Call it writer's bias, but for girls, I believe that the CHIJ uniform is the best, with its functionality, and the overall cut and look. The colours, white and blue, flatter just about anyone with the slimming pleats and belt, which provides a nice silhouette. The belt can also be adjusted to sit on your waist or hip, depending on which way you think you look best. Unless you are resting from a bloated stomach, do not attempt to walk around without your belt, or risk looking pregnant and/or dishevelled.
On the other hand, Tanjong Katong Girls' School uniform is not bad either, with their white blouse and green pinafore. Well, what can I say? Pinafores are a rage among uniforms! Nothing quite says "secondary school girl" like the pinafore does.
Singapore Chinese Girls' School uniform is sweet and simple, but they only look good on those slim and slender types. With a sleeveless uniform like this, you'd have to make sure your underarms are constantly clean and shaven, which can be rather tiresome.
However, the bane for all female students ought to be the all-white uniforms, which score low on looks and functionality. First and foremost, white isn't the most complimentary colour for the bigger students, and secondly, every stain shows up in full view with no way to hide!
And if you think doing the laundry is troublesome enough, imagine taking out all those studs each time you wash your uniform, just to prevent them from rusting.
For male uniforms, I can't say much, since there isn't much variation, with the difference only in colour combinations. Nevertheless, I do pity those who have or had to wear shorts, making them look kiddish and awkward, throughout their secondary school life!
While there's at least a variety of primary and secondary school uniforms, junior college uniforms look sadly similar. Take Victoria Junior College (VJC), Tampines Junior College (TPJC) and Meridian Junior College (MJC) for example, aside from the different colours, their designs are basically the same, from the middle pleat of the skirts, right down to the belts. In fact, the colour of TPJC and MJC's uniform is so alike that it's not uncommon to mistake one for the other!
Because of such similarity, colour becomes a very important aspect of a junior college uniform. You can look good in some without even trying, or you can alter your uniform forever, and still not looking good enough. With reference to Temasek Junior College's dull green uniform, National Junior College's slate grey uniform, and Serangoon Junior College's beige and brown uniform, you will probably understand what I mean.
Therefore, breaking from the norm, St Andrew's Junior College and Anglo-Chinese Junior College easily have the best-looking uniforms of the lot. The former looks smart with the striped tie and A-line skirt cutting for girls, while the latter has a tinge of style and flirtiness.
Yes, the main purpose of wearing school uniforms is to foster a form of identity on students, as well as a sense of belonging to the school. But if we can look good at the same time, why not?
Although it's too late for us now, at least you'll know what else to look out for, besides school prestige and location, when you have children of your own!
As for those who wish you could still don in school uniforms, and dread having to decide your outfit for the next day to school, I'm sure you'd be happy to know that in a few years' time, you would have a brand new uniform, comprising of striped shirt/blouse in assorted colours and black pants. HOOKED
Do you love your school uniform? Comment and tell us which school's uniform is your favourite!
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