School Uniforms Getting Larger

Tuesday 18th of October 2011 08:26:27 PM

As children become heavier schools have to provide P.E. kits and school uniforms in larger sizes. The staggering trend of obese children has caused an upswing in large size promotional clothing.

As kids become tinier schools are faced with the same problem. The other end of the spectrum – teens suffering from bulimia and other conditions, is a very real issue faced by many high schools.

School uniforms made to fit either of these groups would not be a part of a typical school order. In fact, they would not be a traditional stock item for many promotional clothing distributors. However, with the growing number of children suffering from obesity and other health conditions changes are now being made.

Schools rightly feel that an overweight student who could not fit into a uniform would be at risk for losing self-esteem. Not only will the child stand out because of his weight, he will now not have same clothing as everyone else. One school asked that no school uniforms be worn until every student had all pieces of their uniform.

Promotional clothing distributers can get in front of this issue by recommending large sizes to clients. An astonished distributer reported one high school teacher urging the team to stay away from larger sizes. Not having big uniforms would encourage the ‘big kids’ to lose weight. Fortunately, she was in the minority and over-ruled.

Promotional clothing distributers must keep large and small sizes in stock. It is important that the items be there when they are needed. School uniform teams will appreciate a distributer who is aware of size issues and can talk intelligently about them. It might be something they have not considered.

Loyalty develops when schools recognize that distributers are making an effort to give them the best. Being proactive about rising issues, such as weight, is a great time to cement a new relationship with a school or build upon a developing one.