How to Jazz Up a School Uniform Without Breaking the Rules
School uniforms for boys and girls make life a lot easier for parents. There’s no need to worry about putting together a new outfit every day of the week. Uniforms completely take the guesswork out of classroom attire while lending your child a smart and refined look. At the same time, kids who love to experiment with style may feel confined by the restraints of their everyday outfits.
Fortunately, there are several ways they can transform their school-day look—without bending the rules and getting themselves into hot water. Of course, dress codes exist for a reason, so you should always double-check to be sure that your littles aren’t going against protocols. Here are a few ideas to help them jazz up their school uniforms without breaking the rules.
Have Fun with Backpacks
Start with the most basic of pieces. Backpacks are as essential to their everyday routine as pens and notebooks. While their uniform may consist of especially neutral colors like grey, maroon, navy, and white, it’s fun to shake things up with a colorful backpack that allows them to express themselves. The good news is that most schools don’t have dress code policies that extend to bags, so they can have some extra fun here.
The options are vast, with styles in bright and peppy colors that add a contrasting pop to their otherwise simple outfit. There are also stylish patterns, like stripes, tie-dye, and camouflage. Look for hues that energize their reserved uniforms, from rainbow palettes to adventurous colorblocks. They can even clip on a cute key ring or two if they want to dress up the bag a little more and lend it their own distinctive finishing touch. Letting your kids take ownership of this will give them some command over their own look—and help them feel great at the same time.
Try a Cool Lunchbox
Gone are the days of bland and boring kids’ lunchboxes. There’s nothing drab about the newest crop of styles that are so stylish that you may want to snag one for yourself, too! Like their backpacks, lunch boxes offer kids some flexibility where style is concerned. Rarely are there rules against carrying a certain color or style, so the sky is the limit where this essential accessory is concerned.
These styles are sure to excite boys and girls. There are simple patterns like stripes and polka dots. These are fun, safe, and reliable, and students can feel good about carrying this style year-round—and for years to come. If they prefer an even bolder look, there are all kinds of options. Try a lunchbox with an uplifting print reminiscent of a botanical garden or one featuring a dazzling image of the galaxy in all its humble glory. How about butterflies? Stars? Dinosaurs? A superstar-worthy foil finish that gleams from every angle? Kids will have a blast selecting the one (or two!) they love the most. Of course, they’re all packed with the details you expect of a high-quality lunchbox, like heavy-duty insulation and plenty of space.
Cozy Up During Winter
During winter, they’ll undoubtedly need to elevate their outerwear game with cozy hats, gloves, and scarves. They’re the only way to make recess and any time spent outside more manageable—and they also happen to help kids express themselves in countless ways. Winter accessories for kids are bright, fun, and eye-catching, which is just what they should wear on dark, dreary days to give them a little boost.
There are so many fun styles available that they may not be able to settle on just one. You’ll find it all, from toasty hats with bold rainbow stirpes to cute fleece gaiters with snowflakes adorned on them. Cute cats? Bold camouflage? Cheerful confetti? Everything is up for the taking during winter, all in colors that add a fun pop and some serious energy to their winter uniforms. They’ll love making a little style statement throughout the season.
Find Some Bold Socks
The average school uniform dress code likely dictates the precise sock colors kids are permitted to wear—and they’re usually navy, burgundy, white, or black. Sometimes there’s no way around that. If your little one can experiment in this area because there aren’t any rules, however, then have some fun by adding a few pairs of colorful boys’ and girls’ socks to their wardrobe.
You’ll find all kinds of patterns in this mix, from classic stripes to playful polka dots. There are also vibrant colors galore, like rich jewel tones that contrast nicely with shoes in neutral colors and that fit right in with more subdued, neutral, uniform palettes. If they can’t wear them in class, there’s always the option for them to wear them during gym class, too!
It’s not always easy to step outside of the comfort zone—especially when there are strict rules involved. Always be sure that your little one isn’t going against protocol before they incorporate something bright, funky, and playful into their look. With the right accessories in place, they may even look forward to getting ready every day.