school uniforms

School uniform display at a department store : )

In Japan, new term starts in the first week of April
so freshmen prepare for their appointed school uniform in March.

Nowadays more and more schools don't have
a school uniform and students wear casual clothes
to attend the class.

I often hear and read many American and European people
criticize our uniform, saying that wearing the same clothes as a uniform
may destroy individual personality of the young people.

Personally, I do not think it is that bad.
It may seem strange or odd to Western eyes, just because
they are not accustomed to any kind of uniform.
But I consider wearing school uniform is a part of our custom,
and by wearing uniform every morning, I believe, students
can re-realize what they are expected to do.
(students are to study and learn at school and behave well)

The high school I went to had a nice school uniform
and I was very proud of wearing it.
It was "sailor's type", the one you see in the center in the picture above.
Mine had a black scarf instead of red.
I felt somehow different while I was wearing the uniform
and I remember how I liked that feeling : )


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