Facts & Figures on School Uniforms & Dress Code Apparel

Facts and Figures

Almost 10 years ago to improve school safety and discipline, President Clinton issued a statement encouraging the use of school uniforms as an important part of an overall program. After his speech, the Department of Education prepared guidelines to encourage all states and school systems to set up dress code policies. Both large and small school systems, rural and urban, have begun, implemented or considered to institute stricter dress codes through school uniform programs. Did you know...

• A specific color(s) is required for 90% of all school uniform tops and bottoms.
• A school uniform wardrobe consists of about 13 items: four tops, four bottoms/uniform, four pairs of socks/tights, and one other item (accessory, fleece, etc.)
• About 67% of the items are purchased prior to the beginning of the school year, 10% are carryovers from the previous year or other children, and about 23% will be purchased during the remainder of the school year.
• Advocates of school uniforms indicate uniforms are less expensive than non-uniform school clothes. That position is supported by this study.
• The average total dollars spent on school clothes in a school uniform household is lower than in non-uniform households.
• Price was, overwhelmingly, the number one reason in determining where a household purchased most of their school uniform items. "Wearing a school uniform saves money on clothes" was the response given most often by parents when asked their opinion on their school's dress code.

Source: NPD School Uniform Custom Study