You can even name the exact date of introduction of the school uniform in Russia. This happened in 1834. It was in this year that a law approving a separate type of civilian uniform took place. These included gymnasium and student uniforms. The costumes that were meant for the boys of that time were a peculiar combination of military and civilian men's dress. These suits were worn by boys, not only during classes, but also after them. Throughout the time the style of the gymnasium and student uniform changed only slightly.
At the same time, the development of women's education began. Therefore, a student form was required for girls. In 1986, and appeared the first outfit for the students. It was a very strict and modest outfit. He looked like this: a woolen dress of brown color below the knee. This modest dress was decorated with white collars and cuffs. Of accessories - a black apron. Almost an exact copy of a school dress of Soviet times.
Before the revolution, only children from well-to-do families could receive education. And the school uniform was a kind of indicator of prosperity and belonging to the esteemed estate.
With the coming to power in 1918 of the Communists, the school uniform was abolished. It was considered a bourgeois excess. However, in 1949 the school uniform was returned. True, now it did not symbolize a high social status, but on the contrary - the equality of all classes. The dress for the girls did not suffer any changes, it was an exact copy of the schoolgirl's dress. And the costumes for boys were performed in the same militaristic tradition. Boys from school were prepared for the role of defenders of the fatherland. School suits, like military suits, consisted of trousers and gymnasts with a collar-stand.
Only in 1962 there was a change in the school uniform, however, only the boy's version. The gymnast was replaced by a gray wool suit, which had a semi-military appearance. For more resemblance to the military, the boys wore straps with a badge, caps with caps, and they were cut under the typewriter. For girls, a formal uniform was introduced, which consisted of a white apron and white golf or pantyhose. White bows wove in their hair. On weekdays, girls were allowed to braid brown or black ribbons.
In the seventies, on the wave of universal change, changes were also made to the school uniform. The boys now wore dark blue half-wool suits. The jacket had a jeans cut. For girls, a three-piece suit of the same fabric was also offered. But also brown dresses were not canceled.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, schools refused to wear a compulsory school uniform. Now every educational institution in Russia decides whether to introduce a form. Many elite gymnasiums and schools order the development and sewing of a school uniform to famous fashion houses. Today, this form again becomes an indicator of prestige and selectivity.
And what about the school uniform abroad?
The school uniform in England and in its former colonies is most widespread. This form is a reflection of the classic business style. Every solid educational institution in England has its own logo. And this logo is applied to the school uniform. In its form make badges and emblems. It is applied to ties and hats.
In France, the school uniform was in use from 1927 to 1968. In Poland, it was abolished in 1988. But in Germany there was never a school uniform. Even during the reign of the Third Reich. Only the members of the Hitler Youth had special uniforms. In some German schools elements of the school uniform are introduced, but what exactly the uniform to wear is chosen by the children themselves.
There is no consensus on the usefulness or harm of compulsory uniform school clothes. The history of the creation of the school uniform and its development is contradictory, and does not give an answer to the question: is it necessary. But one thing is for sure school clothes should remain only school clothes.