‘FABRIC IS IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO UNIFORMS’
Families are getting ready to welcome a new shopping spree with the return of uniforms at schools. While the students were allowed to dress freely last academic year, this year, the parents will vote whether to continue with uniforms or not, following the “Regulation for Making Changes on the Regulation for Dress Code of the Students affiliated to Ministry of Education” by the Ministry of Education that was published in the Official Gazette. There are approximately 3 million employees working in the sector that produces school uniforms. Families, on the other hand, go through the hassle of finding the best quality and most affordable products for their children.
Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Head of Department of Fashion and Textile Design, and Lecturer Özge Dikkaya Göknur, stressed out points to consider for families in choosing students’ dresses in their study. Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, pointed out that with the change in the regulation, the families would vote whether their children should wear school uniforms or dress freely, and dressing freely meant a competition of brand names among children in addition to security concerns. Prof. Dr. Adanır indicated that health issues, functionality, and aesthetics were key factors in choosing clothing for children before school. She said, “School uniforms create a sense of belonging to school. Whether dressing freely or wearing uniforms, parents should opt for one hundred percent cotton and natural fabrics. Such fabrics will let kids feel more comfortable throughout the day. Also, dressing in layers is important to prevent getting too cold or hot when transitioning from indoors to outdoors, or vice versa. Breathable clothing should be preferred.”
Lecturer Özge Dikkaya Göknur also suggested that opting for natural and darker colours would lessen the need for changing clothes a lot throughout the week. Göknur said, “Students choosing casual and functional model and style clothing according to their age group will allow them to behave more conscious towards their school and environment. While shopping, the parents need to pay attention to the clothing labels. It is important to know what the fabric is made out of for our children’s health.”
