Expressing your Child’s Style around School Uniforms
My two oldest boys have completely different styles. My 7-year old son will nearly always pick the most mismatched and strange outfits he could ever possibly grab from his dresser drawers. Of all of his choices, he’ll dig through the drawers to find the lonely shirts we’ve buried at the bottom as “laundry day emergency” picks. We let him get involved in shopping and choosing his own outfits that fit his style, but helping guide him towards styles that look great together to minimize mismatched outfits.
My second son likes to look good. I’m not sure where he gets it from, but he has a very particular sense of what is stylish and what he just doesn’t like at all. He often gets passed the hand-me-downs from big brother and will refuse about half the wardrobe telling me he can’t wear “that” or he’ll look silly and the girls will laugh at him. Letting his pick out his own styles for the start of this school year was a must.
We set out to Target to shop and pick out styles for the new school year seeking out uniforms to meet the school policies as well as cool styles for after school, weekends, and breaks. With my boys both having fall birthday’s, it’s the perfect time for us to stock up on the next size up.
Picking out their everyday outfits and style was pretty easy. My boys love to go for superheroes and cool tops that match their interests. Shorts are worn nearly year-round here and a couple of good pair of bottoms and we were set.
However, letting them show their personality while they head off to school was more of a challenge. Their school requires uniforms which gives them very little room to personalize and feel like an individual. This also let us get creative and have some fun with accessories and often overlooked parts of their outfits, which made it really fun to shop with this in mind.
How to Show Unique Style with Uniforms
Belt – A belt is not only functional for keeping up pants on those skinny waists, but doubles as a fashion statement for uniforms. A belt is a super easy way to add in color and personality while staying within the dress code. Since most uniform dress codes also want the shirts tucked in, a belt also finishes off their look.
Shoes – When planning for back to school styles, you’ll want at least two good pairs of shoes including a pair of tennis shoes or similar for P.E. days and cold days as well as a cooler pair of shoes for warm summer days. We usually do a closed toed sandal, tennis shoes, and then a “cool” pair that they tend to pick for most classroom days such as a character shoe. Let your kids help pick out their styles, here, as this is the other big area they get to have a say in their daily outfits around their uniform.
Jacket – Generally, jackets don’t have to fit within the uniform restrictions, so feel free to go for something fun!
Accessories – Find little ways to add personality such as hair accessories for girls, fun shoe laces, maybe a scarf or a pin if allowed with the dress code. My boys absolutely insisted a watch was a back to school necessity, and I have to agree. It really makes them look “cool” and is really educational as well.
After-school / Weekend Outfits – If the school’s dress code is pretty strict, let your child have fun breaking outside of the box for their after school or weekend outfits. Pick out fun patterns and a change of color from their uniforms to help switch up the routine.
Target had everything we were looking for this back to school season with affordable uniform options in their school-approved colors as well as everyday styles to get them through the school year. We had a great time shopping and picking out their outfits to help both my boys feel ready to tackle the new school year and moving up to their next size of clothes.
Every little thing is a really big deal.
How does your child show their personality for back to school?
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.
Love his outfits! The TMNT shirt rocks!
My daughter shows A LOT of personality in her wardrobe! She love layering skirts and leggings and always insists on a matching headband!
These are really great ideas. I love the idea of wearing crazy socks.
It’s great that you get to dress up your uniforms a little. Our school is crazy strict about socks, shoes and even accessories. :/
The way that TMNT shirt is laid out is the best! They look so handsome in their uniforms. 🙂
I am loving all of their outfits! They have so many cute clothes at Target!
I like the fun belts and watches to spruce up their back to school uniforms. Great ideas 🙂
Belts and jewelry are great ways to personalize one’s uniform. My kids will soon be wearing them at their school.
I just love the plaid shirt. Those laces free shoes are cute too
Such a great post! I love that they both have such different styles. Sounds like all of my kids. We have uniforms too so this is a great way to spruce it all up!
I love the pop the belts give to the uniform. My kids do not wear uniforms so we have a lot of choices in school clothes.
What great clothes for school or anytime. Your kids appear to enjoy their new clothes from Target.
I love the belts for school uniforms! Kids always find ways of expressing themselves. Too cute!
Your son was MADE for the camera. Look at all that swagger he’s got going on! Adorable.
This is a great post. I love the idea of throwing a little spice on to a school uniform.
Great post! Just because they have to wear a uniform doesn’t mean they have to be boring.
How interesting that your boys have such different opinions on clothes. My son dresses very sports oriented.
I have always thought uniforms would be so much easier, but out schools don’t do them. My daughter is young but very into fashion so I can only imagine the crazy ways she would be altering the uniforms, lol
They’re so handsome! My son loves to wear his new clothes whether it’s his dress shirts or his ninja shirts!
Using belts and socks to add some personal touches to a uniform is a great idea. My kid’s schools did not have uniforms, but they had pretty strict dress codes.
Your kids are too cute in their uniforms! Uniforms have come a long way!
Your sons are too cute! I always wondered how kids were able to show some “style” if they had to wear school uniforms!
Kiddo is 9 and these last couple of years she hasn’t ever matched. Some of it is out of control. LOL. No school uniforms here. Sometimes I wish we did. Seems like it would make back to school and getting ready in the morning a little easier.
I hadn’t even thought about the accessories (belt, socks) that you could have fun with. My son has just started getting into picking out his own shirts. And since his pants and shorts are relatively plain, most days he matches!
He looks so put together and grown up. I especially love that TMNT shirt… headed to Target now!
Where we live, our kids don’t have to wear school uniforms, but it’s awesome that the kids can add their own flare to the look!
My daughter’s school has a strict dress code, with requirements for all the accessories you mentioned above. Belts must be brown or black and plain, hair accessories can’t be big or showy, socks must be black or white; that kind of thing. But they can wear any solid color, collared shirts, so I made sure she has purple and pink in good supply, and she’s happy.