United in uniforms

Classmates: School uniforms can help the student body form a collective identity. Photo provided to Shanghai Star

International influence

It seems that parents of students at international schools are exempt from such concerns. With better design and quality, international school uniforms are popular among the students. When asked if she would get rid of school uniforms if she were principal, Niamh Scott, a fifth year student at the British International School Shanghai (BISS) says: "I would definitely keep it!"

"The uniforms are co-designed by the school leadership team management, parents, and students. The manufacturer is a Shanghai-based specialist, Team Style. We review the styles every couple of years to see if we might make any improvements," says Lesley-Ann Wallace, principal of BISS, Pudong Campus. The school chose teal as the color of its uniforms, which is "fresh and contemporary" and is very practical in a hands-on learning environment for little children. The style of the uniform also moves with the students as they progress through their schooling. Students at BISS range in age from 18 months to 18 years old. By middle school, they are wearing collared shirts, blazers and ties, in line with their maturity academically and socially.

"Their uniforms look livelier. They fit the students well, too, not like ours. My trousers are too loose on me, making me look fat. And I wish our uniforms can be brighter in color," says Yang Xintong, a third year student at a junior middle school.