Schoolbelles - Retail Round Up Series

Schoolbelles is a family owned business. They state that their “passion for uniforms is a legacy handed down since 1956 by our founder, Mary Carroll. Today, three generations have continued her tradition of manufacturing and providing high quality uniforms with great service for reasonable prices.” 

They work with over 1000 schools and organizations and have a team of representatives to assist with creating a uniform program. They are one of few uniform suppliers that operates their own sewing factory in Cleveland, OH to maintain quality and inventory levels. They offer a guarantee on their premium line of uniforms that items will hold up to 180 days of wear.  They are based in Cleveland with store locations across the mid-west.

Ohio Cleveland Cincinnati  Fairlawn South Euclid Toledo

Illinois Bridgeview Chicago North Michigan Madison Heights Westland

Indianapolis, Indiana Taylor Mill, Kentucky Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

They offer a full catalog of premium uniforms for all sizes (preschool through adult). They also carry value line items that work well with most dress codes. They are currently undergoing a redesign to evolve with the changing market. I will update this post after they launch their new website later this year.

Video Pick: School Kids Around the World

This video pick from charmichanify shows clips of "Public school children across the globe in their uniforms and dress codes".

Snow Days and Make Up Days

Because of the unusually harsh winter, many schools had a record number of snow closing and days with delayed openings this year.  In states where laws mandate a minimum number of instructional days, most schools have contingency plans in place to deal with snow make up days.  But this year, many schools have exceeded those options and local school boards are scrambling to adjust the school calendars.  So how is your school planning to make up the days?  I'm hearing rumors of schools talking about different options, such as:

• Converting the remaining teacher work days to snow make up days
• Shortening Spring Break to use those days as snow makeup days
• Scheduling select Saturdays to hold make up days
• Extending the length of the school day for remaining days for a few additional minutes
• Extending the school year into the summer

Has your school board decided how to schedule additional snow make up days?  Which option are they choosing at your school?  What other options are being considered?  Which option do you prefer?

(photo used with permission from Microsoft)

Vintage School Uniforms

I recently submitted a post over at Vintage Shopper.  It explores the British origins and history of school uniforms, how they came to be popular in the US, and how to wear and how not to wear a retro school uniform look today. 

• Did you know the origin of school uniforms originated in the U.K.during the reign of King Henry VIII?
• Did you know that Bill Clinton suggested that schools adopt uniforms in his 1996 state of the union speech?
• Did you know that a 2013 study conducted by Lands' End and the National Association of Elementary School Principals found that 49% of U.S. public schools have a school uniform policy in place or plan to implement one.

I invite you to check out my post over at Vintage School Uniforms.

Gap Inc - Retail Roundup Series

The Gap, Inc. is an American multinational clothing and accessories retailer. It was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. It is the largest specialty retailer in the United States with over 2550 stores in the US. In additional to the Gap stores, the company operates 4 other brands: Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta. The Gap offers free shipping on orders over $50 and free returns on all orders.

GapKids carries a line of school uniform items.  If you've read a few of the posts from last summer's Best Bets series, you may have noticed that the regular retail price of the GAP uniform items tend to fall at the top the charts. However, if you're a smart shopper, you can score these items for deep discounts.  Last fall, I bought a few basic polos for may daughter for 5 bucks each off the clearance rack. 

Girls Bottoms

Girls uniform pants are offered in 5 styles: trouser pants, boot cut, skinny and capri and ponte styles. The shorts are offered in two styles, the traditional bermuda short as well as a shorter flat front style.  They also carry fold over yoga pants which would work for PE class and leggings.

Girls Tops

They carry short and long sleeve polos in several colors (white, blue and navy).  They carry a no-iron long sleeve button down, long sleeve oxfords, short sleeve peter pan blouses, and a ruffle shirt. The cable knit cardigans are offered in navy and white and the v neck cardigan in gray and navy.

Girls Dresses

The polo dress is a classic drop waist pleated style and offered in gray, navy, pink and red. The pleated skirt is offered in two styles: a GapShield and a more casual ponte knit. They offer two jumpers: one in Gapshield fabric with a shirred empire waist style and another straighter style in ponte knit. They sell  three packs of knit shorts that a can be worn under the jumpers, skirts or dresses.

Girls Outerwear

They also offer several jackets. A ponte navy blazer, a hooded fleece coat, a peplum coat and a rain coat.

Boys Bottoms

Boys uniform pants are offered in 3 styles: flat front, straight, and pleated pants. They carry a dress pant, as well as a wide-wale cords. The shorts are offered in three styles, the flat front, pleated and cargo.  

Boys Tops

They carry short and long sleeve polos in a nice variety of colors.  They carry a no-iron long sleeve and a short sleeve button down, as well as long sleeve and short sleeve oxfords. The v-neck cardigans is offered in several colors and mock zip cardigan.

Boys Outerwear

They also offer several jackets. A knit blazer, a knit peacoat, and a rain coat.

Video Pick: 5 Uniform Outfit Ideas for School

For my video pick, I'm sharing a video from thebeautyguru4u, a 16 year old beauty and fashion video blogger.  In this recent video she shares 5 school uniform ideas to help individualize your uniform look. These ideas work best for a girl at a school with a uniform dress code, aka the khakis and polos look.

February Poll - What's your favorite place to shop for school uniforms?

I want to hear from you. Please take a minute to chime in on this month's poll and tell me your favorite retailers for school uniforms.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.