This chapter explores the history of school uniforms in the United States, starting with the speaker's personal experience with Catholic school uniforms and their impact on personal style and identity. It then delves into the origins of uniforms in American schools, tracing their evolution from charitable institutions and Native American boarding schools to elite private schools and eventually public schools. The role of mass production, cultural trends, and the influence of media representation in shaping the modern uniform is also discussed.
Early school uniforms in the US were seen in charitable institutions and Native American boarding schools.
Mass production made uniforms more uniform and accessible.
The association of uniforms with Catholic schools and their image in media contributed to their wider adoption.
The evolution of uniforms is linked to social, cultural, and economic changes in American society.