Q1 -Why are so many schools changing over to color dress codes and school uniforms?
– It has been shown school uniforms can help deter school violence and promote better discipline because of the positive change in the learning environment
– A real plus is that uniforms help administrators identify possible intruders to the school
Q2 – Okay a plus for school, but a plus or minus for parents?
– Makes morning rush out the door much easier for the parents
– Wearing of uniforms takes the battle zone out of the ritual “What do I wear to school? problem
– You never have to take part in that back-to-school shopping spree going, from store to store and trying to agree on what will be suitable
Q3 – What about the kids, do uniforms make their lives better or not?
– Reduces peer pressure, because no one can wear fancier designer names on their bums
– A child never has to worry about wearing the wrong thing, geeky styles, something a parent chose – and they have gotten laughed at
Q4 – It sounds like this is more expensive for the budget
– Buying uniforms is less costly in the end than buying an entire new wardrobe every year
– Often, a good portion of last year’s clothing still fits this year, saving hundreds of dollars
Q5 – Okay, smart shopper, where are the places we can buy them other than the list the schools give out?
Moni is tucked away at the rear of the Kute Knit factory; You do have to go up a flight of stairs to check out this spot for children’s (newborn-18) casual clothes. At this time of the year, color coded uniforms rule the day and they offer up some of the lowest prices.
In navy, black and gray (the 2 prices refer to the Canadian-made ones or the imported ones): boys pants ($12 & $14), girls pants ($10 &$12), jumpers ($10 & $18), polo shirts ($8 short sleeve or $9 long sleeve), dress shirts ($10), shorts ($4 & $6), cardigans ($12), gym t-shirts (short sleeve $4 or long sleeve $5), skirts ($8 & $12), boot leg leggings ($6), regular leggings ($5).
The rest of the shop has kids’ clothes for $5 (even 2-piece outfits) and mostly less than $10. Adult fleece jogging sets can be found at only $12. Great for our winter, there will be snowsuits at $28-$60.
Location: 1000 Beaumont, in rear
corner: boul. l’Acadie
Tel: 514-273-2544 X 262
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4:30 (Sat 9-2 Aug-Dec, call first)
St Henri Uniformes, is officially a blue collar uniform store with great prices. For boys and girls there are color code uniforms starting with pants in blue, black and gray in waist sizes 23 and up. Hemming is included in the price. White polos start at $16 and white button down shirts are $20 and up. For girls, blue tunics are $30 and up and pleated skirts come in navy blue, black and gray.
The rest of you can buy all kinds of heavy duty jeans, gloves, safety helmets, goggles, boots, western shirts, weatherproof outerwear and ice grips for shoes. They can outfit any of the following: truck drivers, bus drivers, guards, policemen, firemen, pilots, service station attendants, clubs, schools, restaurant workers, ambulance drivers and chauffeurs. You can also find men’s shirts to 5XL, pants to size 60, and husky boys can be fitted as well.
Location: 2671 Notre-Dame ouest
corner: Atwater
TeL: 514-933-8570
Hours this month for uniforms: Mon-Thurs 9-5:30, Sat 9-1. Hours rest of year Mon-Wed & Fri 8:30-5:30, Thurs 8:30-7, Sat 8:30-4
www. sthenriuniform.com
Schreters has been for 82 years, the place on the Main for men’s and boys’ (7-18) clothing, including suits (to 52). It’s not surprising that you can boys’ school uniform pants (8-18) in a few styles ($29.99-49.99) in black, navy and a few shades of gray. There is a limited amount of husky pants too.
Oxford shirts are sold in white and light blue, ($19.99 and up), polos with long sleeve are $14.99 and short sleeves $12.99. Their blazers are from quality manufacturers and come in black or navy ($79.99) and there’s ties too. You might be able to score a husky suit ($119 and up). For shoes, there’s basic loafers and basic oxford leather shoes available at $44.99. Their forte is locating hard to find sizes as they will go out and look for them for you. Since they sell both boys’ and men’s suits here, if your child needs a suit for school, sometimes a very small man’s size might fit a boy. A tailor available on site.
Now both men and women can think of this as their neighborhood shoe shop (Toms, Fly London, Converse, Birkenstock, Reebok, Ecco, Rockport, Hush Puppies, and for flip flops – Reef, Haviana, Flojo’s). Make sure you ask for their footwear loyalty card for $50 off on your 6th pair of shoes.
They carry name brand clothing (Point Zero, Buffalo, Vera Moda, Lady Dutch, K.way, French Connection, Jack & Jones, Ben Sherman, Penguin, Selected, Levi jeans) in everything from suits to jeans and underwear, all at wonderful prices. Women can find some casual wear and outerwear.
The staff are exceptionally helpful and can come up with really hard-to-find items like suspenders and handkerchiefs, or woolen underwear. For camp lists (duffle bag embroidery) and school uniforms, this joint is one stop shopping. The store motto, “No hassle money back guarantee”, is quite true.
Location: 4358 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Mary Anne
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30- 9, Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-5
www.schreter.com
Loft Uniformes was started by Moms 19 years ago, and is still run by Moms who know what Moms need and want – good quality uniforms that will hold up all year at affordable prices. It’s one stop shopping for all your school uniform needs, from the clothing to socks, tights, school bags and belts in a full color range of gray, royal blue, navy blue, hunter green, burgundy, red and more.
For boys’ uniforms, there’s pants, long sleeve shirts, polos, sweat shirts, kangaroos, gym shorts, jogging and track pants and Bermuda shorts. Girls are offered 1/2 dozen styles of jumpers, skirts and pants, and also Bermudas, culottes, spandex polos, turtlenecks, cardigans (in knit and fleece), and look for blazers for both sexes.
The size range here was a surprise – they run from a toddler size 2 right up to adult 5X, and can be custom-made if necessary, and alterations are available.
Location: 7101 du Parc, suite 205
corner: Ave. du Parc
Hours: August: Mon-Sat 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5. Rest of year: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3
www.loftuniforms.com
