p28-40 Schoolwear PASSED:Layout 1 17/02/2009 09:34 Page 28
FOCUS ON: SCHOOLWEAR
Schoolwear
Focus on:
Choosing the right schoolwear garments is of vital importance in the printwear market. At the heart
of this field is The Schoolwear Association which represents the interests of everyone from suppliers,
direct-to-school wholesalers and fabric manufacturers to garment decorators. It now has a new
Chairman, David Burgess. The association casts an eye over what it believes will prove to be the
biggest trends for 2009.
I
t may seem a contradiction in terms to some this health and safety epidemic and we are uniform market with demand growing for ties and
pupils but the school uniform market is very observing a considerable increase in demand for sports polo shirts in different colours or white with
much driven by trends. To the outsider it may clip-on ties as a result. Another benefit of the clip- house colours tipped onto the collar to distinguish
seem that year in, year out little changes – and on is uniformity – there is little opportunity for between different house members.
certainly this would be the impression you would pupils to ‘Hollyoaks-ify’ their tie with short tails, fat Finally the onward march of the Government’s
get if you supermarket shop where the same old knots etc. Academies is certainly having an impact on the
greywear is hung out for a few weeks every year – It is not just individual schools making health school-specific uniform market. These schools are
but nothing could be further from the truth. and safety amends to uniform. The Government’s using uniform to make a statement to their pupils
Those wholesalers and distributors who take the code of practice on school uniforms emphasises the and to the wider community that they mean
business seriously and who deal in school uniform importance of incorporating bright or reflective business. As such they are leading the way in smart
all year round, offering a full service 52 weeks of materials to improve road safety in the winter. As a school uniform and moving towards what may be
the year, know that like other apparel trends result, this year will see an increase in schools described as a more corporate look, particularly for
schoolwear does change and therefore need to adding a Hi-Viz trim to school bags and reflective the sixth form.
keep one step ahead of the game. stripes on school scarves. We anticipate that other schools will start
One significant trend which is having a marked Manufacturers must also adhere to European following where the Academies lead to avoid being
effect on school uniform suppliers is the ever- standards on mechanical safety meaning that there left behind. Uniform policy is often the first step
increasing concern from schools regarding health are no toggles or gimmicks which might harm towards promoting a sense of identity and creating
and safety. Looking after pupils has of course children when out at play. a social leveller and is a highly visible instrument of
always been a priority for teaching staff, however Schools themselves follow trends and we are change. The benefits of school specific uniform are
today’s school exists in an extremely litigious seeing an increasing number either adopting or well recognised by headteachers who understand
climate. As a result, although often ridiculed in the reverting to the House system. Although that good uniform can help to engender a sense of
media, schools have to examine the safety aspects traditionally associated with public schools, the belonging and identity with the school.
of all elements of the school day and impose bans House system is a simple way to build team spirit, Uniform will continue to evolve and the
on any item which may have any sort of potential foster healthy competitive spirit and increase the specialists will continue to work with the schools to
to cause harm. feeling of inclusion within the school. House offer garments which reflect both the needs, and
The traditional school tie has been affected by colours naturally create an impact on the school the trends, of the day.
| 28 | March 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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