Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Is Your School's Dress Code Sexist?

Just after Labor Day, I noticed a spike in visits to a Uniform Mom post that featured longer skirts for girls that would pass the "fingertip test".  The fingertip test is a commonly used way to determine if the length of a skirt or shorts is too short.  If a girl extends her hands down to her sides and the skirt is past her fingertips, it passes.  If it is shorter than her fingertips, it is considered too short and therefore a uniform infraction at many schools.  Sometimes, administrators make efforts at the beginning of the school year to set the tone with consistent enforcement efforts. In some cases, the school conducts some sort of mass inspection that usually results in headlines in local newspapers and on local news channels. Girls that receive warnings that their skirts are too short may be offered a change of clothes from a inventory of donated second-hand uniforms.  Other times, they may be isolated until a parent can arrive with a change of clothes that complies with code.

I thought that increase in traffic was an indication that your daughters' might be getting caught up in enforcement efforts that left you searching to find retailers that carry skirts that are long enough to pass the fingertip test. I was relieved to learn that this wasn't the case. But....

Instead, I stumbled upon a conversation regarding "slut shaming" that referenced the post.  Stelman, a writer for Addicting Info, a popular liberal blog, wrote a post that summarized recent examples of uniform policies and enforcement efforts that he found to be sexist because they selectively applied to only girls.

This lead me to a video by Laci Green, a sex education activist with a popular channel, Sex + on YouTube.  In her video on Dess Code Sexism, Laci says that the use of school dress code guidelines are not the problem, but she presents top five reasons dress code double standards are sexist. She raises many interesting points that should cause school boards and school administrators to pause and reflect on their own policies and enforcement efforts.



So what do you think? Does your school have any policies that contain these dress code double standards? Have you seen sexism in enforcement efforts or in comments by teachers or administrators? Share your thoughts or observations in the comments below.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Fun Find: Girls Glow in the Dark Graphic Tee

A supermoon eclipse is set to occur on September 27. What's a supermoon eclipse?

A supermoon occurs when the moon appears to be abnormally large and bright in the sky. This happens when the moons reaches its full phase while on it's closest path to Earth. And a lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes in the shadow of the Earth resulting in the sun's light being blocked by the Earth. The supermoon eclipse is a special event because it is rare that a supermoon and an eclipse happen simultaneously. The last one occurred in 1982 and the next one is scheduled in 2033.

Here is a super cute, girls glow in the dark t-shirt to mark the occasion. Here is a similar style for boys.

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Schoolwear from Primary.com

Primary.com gifted me several clothing items to evaluate so I could share my opinion of the items with you. All opinions are my own.



(c) Rene Shonerd. All Rights Reserved.

I recently read about a new children's clothing retailer that was created by Moms.  The idea is to keep things simple and stick with what works.  From what I have seen so far, Primary.com is doing just that in a very cheerful way.

The idea behind Primary.com is that kids tend to favor a few key pieces of clothing in their wardrobe that they wear over and over.  The moms at Primary.com make sure you can find that item again in the next size up when your little one outgrows it.  All of their items are basics in solid colors.  For girls, think of quality tees, shorts, sundresses, tunics and leggings, hoodies, and cardigans in solid colors.  For boys, think basic shorts, pants, hoodies, tshirts, and polos.  The styles are classic and they are only offered online only.  The prices are kept simple too. Everything under $25 bucks!

Intrigued?  I was too.  I contacted Primary.com and asked to check out their school wear items.  I received a cheerfully decorated jiffy-bag package.  Each items was individually wrapped.  I unpacked everything to take a look.

First, I fell in love with the simplicity.  Everything tagless and kid friendly, even the laundry instructions are simple.  The stamped label in each item has a different cute critter representing each size.

I also love the sizing options because they carry more options than most children's retailers. I recall the big difference in the length between a size 6x and a 7 on girls pants.  Now I'm again noticing a big difference in tops and shirts that jump from a 7-8 to a 10-12.  At Primary.com, most basic items are offered in all sizes giving more options when your child is between sizes. When you click to select a size, the image updates to show the item on a model that age.  It provides the height and weight of the model so you can compare with your child.  My daughter is the same height and weight as the model wearing the size 8 and 9 items.  I love that the site gives that extra visual to help you decide what size to order.

(c) Rene Shonerd. All Rights Reserved.
They offer a basic polo for $16. The cotton is 100% super soft pima cotton jersey and the weight of the fabric is just right, not thin or chintzy. For girls it is offered in white, navy, lilac and sky (blue). The boys polo is offered in four additional colors. We tried a basic white one that works for many school dress codes. It is not a traditional interlock polo because it has a relaxed soft collar made from the same cotton as the shirt itself. At my daughter's school, the uniform dress code is basic and broadly defined. It calls for a "white collar long or short sleeve shirt".  The Primary brand polo will work just fine for us, but might not make the cut at schools with a stricter interpretation of what makes a polo shirt a polo.

They also sent girls basics of leggings and undershorts (like bike shorts).  While either could be worn by themselves as bottoms, they pair nicely in a uniform wardrobe under skirts and jumpers. Reviews on the site indicate the shorts and leggings are running small and we agree with the recommendation to order them a size up.  These leggings are made from a blend with 7% spandex, which is higher percentage than other brands at major retailers.  This makes them fit snuggly and would be great for girls with very thin legs.  My daughter, with her athletic legs, would recommend two sizes up since she hates tight fitting leggings.

(c) Rene Shonerd. All Rights Reserved.
The girls cardi, or cardigan sweater, is offered in three colors, white, pink and heather gray. The fabric is a blend of 70% cotton and 30% bamboo (note the heather gray version is different; it is a poly blend). I haven't given it too many turns through the washing machine yet, but so far, it is holding up beautifully.  This sweater is unique in that it is the first cardigan that I've come across that contains bamboo. It is very soft.  It costs $24.  I am a big fan of this sweater!  I would order one for myself if it came  in my size.

Based on the selection of items I've seen, I'm a big fan of Primary.com.  I wish the site would have been around when my daughter was a toddler.  If your kids do not have a uniform dress code, you will be sure to find many great items to assemble an entire wardrobe for the school year.  The site offers quality basics for a reasonable price.  Works for me!

Saturday, August 22, 2015

School Uniforms in the News - Back to School 2015 edition


Below are articles that feature school uniforms from all over the world! They are complied from my twitter stream. Follow me at @NavyPlaid to get updates on these types of headlines as they are published.

Features:

  • The true value of school uniform CWB - Childrenswear Buyer Magazine: ow.ly/2buJfy
  • Parents dig deep into pockets as kids head back to class ow.ly/2buvxL

Assistance Efforts:

Enforcement Issues:

US School Boards Discuss School Uniforms:

(photo used with permission from Microsoft Press)

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

What's New at French Toast for Back to School 2015

Big news from French Toast.

They have relaunched their Active and Casual line of clothing. Matthew Buesing advised that "You will find this line to be very school-centric as well as versatile for any occasion in a child’s life. It is a great complement and natural extension to our school uniforms. Leveraging our past success as leaders in school wear, we now provide a uniform for a kid’s life.”

French Toast can now become a one stop shop.  You can order all of the school wear for the kids and pick up some weekend wear too.  The kids will love to wear these fashionable items and you save time and money shopping with a brand you know and trust to hold up wash after wash. 
“French Toast has a 30 year heritage in the classroom. However, we are evolving the product line to be a part of a kid’s life at different times of the day. Once you combine style with our 50 wash tested durability and features like Power Knees™, you have a versatile product that moms love and kids want to wear." 
French Toast’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Mitchael

Here are a few of the new items you'll find available online:

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Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee


New for girls is a Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee shirt in a variety of fun colors. They also come in a Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee for when the weather turns cooler. The short sleeve is 5.98 and the long sleeve is 6.98.

Polyester blend jersey
Tag-free
V-neck, Decorative ruching at neck
Rounded hem
Machine washable, Imported


Short Sleeve Graphic Tee


Girls will love this Short Sleeve Graphic Tee featuring a cute cat. It is nicely priced at $7.98.

Cotton blend jersey
Tag-free Crew neck
Screenprint with glitter
Machine washable, Imported



Football Graphic Tee

I love this Football Graphic Tee. Pair this with a pair of jeans and your ready for the weekend.  It retails for $8.98:

Polyester blend jersey
Tag-free Crew neck
Screenprint with glitter
Rounded hem
Machine washable, Imported



Long Sleeve Striped Hangdown Polo

For boys, one of my favorite items is this Long Sleeve Striped Hangdown Polo.  It retails for $14.98.

100% thermal cotton sleeves
Cotton blend pique top
Tag-free
3-button placket
Machine washable, Imported



Long Sleeve Contrast Henley

This Long Sleeve Contrast Henley is made from a soft cotton and a cool color contrast, this is a perfect everyday top he just won't stop wearing. It retails for $9.98.

100% cotton with cotton chambray placket
Tag-free
Crew neck with 3-button placket
Machine washable, Imported

Long Sleeve Chambray Pocket Shirt



This Long Sleeve Chambray Pocket Shirt is a fun plaid with contrasting solid pockets that make it a hit at $16.98.

100% cotton chambray
Front button closure with 2 front pockets
Machine washable, Imported

Thursday, August 13, 2015

5 Ways to Use Name Labels for Back to School

Have you completed your back to school shopping yet? After we get the kids outfitted with new clothes and shoes, we then stock up on the school supplies and sports accessories the kids need for the year.  When all is said and done, how much have you spent on all that stuff?

According to the National Retail Federation's Back-to-School Spending Survey, the average family with children in grades K-12 plans to spend $630.36 on electronics, apparel and other school needs.

Yikes $630!  And here's a another dose of reality - Kids loose stuff!

The best thing you can do to help ensure the stuff you just bought will make it through the school year is to label it.  Spend another few bucks on some quality name labels and label the stuff most likely to get misplaced.

  1. Add stickers to the school supplies.  The pencils and pens, notebooks, pencil case, pencil sharpener, scissors, and the planner. 
  2. Shoe Tags - I pull then right on the insole of the shoes. The stickers coated with a protective coating work much better than a plain paper label.  Any shoes that kids will tote in their backpack for an after school activity gets a tag.  Then, don't forget about the shoe they will changing out of too.  Tag the school shoes, sports shoes, dance shoes, rain boots, etc.
  3. While I don't tag all pf my daughter's clothes, I always tag the ones she will take on and off during the day. Sweaters and jackets are most likely to get left behind at recess, on the soccer field, wherever.  I prefer stickers that include both her name and our phone number.  I believe folks are inherently good, meaning that, if they are the one that finds your kid's jacket and you give them a way to identify who it belongs to, they will make an effort to contact you.  Jackets and coats are often the most expensive item on the back to school shopping list, so it well worth the effort to label it.
  4. Definitely tag the lunchbox, the water bottles, and the thermos.  Again these are the items that sometimes get left behind.  So again, I recommend a label with both the name and phone number.
  5. Finally the backpack.  The kids carry it around everyday and it holds all that stuff.  If it goes missing so does everything in it.
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Tinyprints is currently having a sale where you can Save 40% off address label, gift tag and name label orders using the code 0808DEAL at checkout.  Get your order in now before the kids start loosing stuff!

Back to School Stationery from Tiny Prints

Thursday, August 6, 2015

What's New at Lands End for Back to School 2015




The Lands' End Back to School catalog arrived in my mailbox this year in June when my daughter had 3 days left on the school year.  Kids in Virginia get out of school later than kids in most other states, but the back to school shopping season also seems to start earlier each year. 

When I browsed the catalog and found a few new or updated items that are definitely worth passing along. Below are a few of my favorites:

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Boy's Perfect Shirt

Boy's Perfect Shirt
Mom's of little boys will be happy to hear about the new Boys' Perfect shirt.  It sounds so awesome, my husband will want to try one.

Features:
  • The armholes have been redesigned to give him more room to move.
  • The easy care fabric resists wrinkles so he can wear it straight from the dryer.
  • It has a comfort collar with an elastic tab button so it is never too tight.
  • They added stain release to the cuffs and the collar to keep them looking great.
  • The shirt wicks moisture, dries quickly and helps balance body temperature. 




Girls' Performance Zip-front Cardigan - Red, S
Girls Performance
Zip-front Cardigan


School Uniform Girls' Performance Zip-front Cardigan

Last year, we reviewed the Girls' Zip-front Drifter Cardigan. It became her favorite go-to sweater all year long. New this year, Lands' End is offering a similar zip-front sweater. The collar on this one is smaller, more like a traditional cardigan and the fabric is a cotton blend. We're definitely going to have to try it out this year.

Features
  • Resists fading and pilling for long-lasting color and comfort
  • Easy-care blend feels soft as cotton
  • Fully-fashioned construction for a great fit
  • Full-zip front
  • Easy-moving raglan sleeves
  • 60% cotton/40% rayon-modal
  • Machine wash/Imported

    Girls' Button Front Solid A-line Jumper - Khaki
    Girls' Button Front
    Solid A-line Jumper


    Girls' Button Front Solid A-line Jumper

    We reviewed and loved the School Uniform Girls' Button-front Ponté Skort last season. The quality held up so well, my daughter will be able to wear it again for another season.  This year, Lands' End took the button look and put it on the classic jumper. 

    Features:
    • Easy-care convenience
    • Functional front placket
    • Top-of-knee length
    • 65% polyester/35% rayon blend
    • Polyester lining
    • Machine wash/Imported




    Boys' Performance Button Front Cardigan Sweater - Evergreen
    Boy's Performance Button
    Front Cardigan Sweater

    Boys' Performance Button Front Cardigan Sweater

    This classic button front sweater is still available in the 100% cotton version, but now it is also available in a easy care cotton/rayon-modal blend.

    Features:
    • Easy-care fabric resists pilling, fading & shrinkage
    • Rib-knit placket, cuff & pocket trim
    • 60% cotton/40% rayon-modal
    • Machine wash/Imported




    (Photos used with permission from Lands' End)