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Dressing for Success: Brentwood Edition
Brentwood students wear their uniform for approximately 180 days of the year, more or less, excluding special dress-up days. In that respect, it is a ubiquitous part of Brentwood College School. Uniforms have been a part of the Brentwood experience since its humble beginnings and to this day, they play an important role in shaping the school's culture and identity. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the uniforms worn by Brentwood students and what they say about the school and its values.
Although most students would rather spend their academic day in pyjamas and sweats, there is a good reason why uniforms are enforced. Not only is the classic and sleek uniform a hallmark of Brentwood, but it is also instantly recognizable to anyone who knows the school. It's a symbol of the school's traditions and a reminder of the high standards expected of students.
In fact, there is evidence that uniforms promote a sense of unity and belonging among students. When everyone wears the same clothes, it becomes easier to see each other as part of a team or a community. Uniforms also eliminate the pressure to keep up with the latest trends or fashions, which can be a source of stress and anxiety for many students.
As well, I personally believe that it allows one’s character to be defined by who one is rather than what one is wearing.
Hazel L, Allard '23, Grad President, and local fashionista, states it best: “Even though I love to express myself through clothing, there is something nice about not having to worry about what I’m going to wear the next day at school. Instead, I can use that time for more important matters.”
Of course, grads, parents, or new students may be concerned about the necessity of uniforms, as well as what happens to them after they are no longer needed. To address such questions I took matters into my own hands and asked the wonderful hard-working ladies in laundry that keep our uniforms clean and crisp every day. I found out that every year, Brentwood takes donations of uniform pieces that have been outgrown, to be reused by other students as an alternative to buying new uniforms.
Brant S, ‘93, alumni and parent of three Brentwood students can attest to the pristine and long-lasting quality of these garments when he says, “I actually still have my uniform hanging in my closet, and I’d probably still be wearing certain pieces if I was the same size!”
“I’ve been at Brentwood since Grade 8 and am graduating this year. I have gone through at least one full uniform cycle, and being able to get uniform pieces at a reduced cost and in a sustainable way is something I appreciate,” says Lily C, Mack '23.
So, whether it's to save time in the morning before classes, to reduce our environmental impact, to continue important traditions, or to subtly build a sense of community, Brentwood's uniforms, as they approached their centenary, continue to meet our fashion and function needs.
Lucy M, Mackenzie ‘23
Although most students would rather spend their academic day in pyjamas and sweats, there is a good reason why uniforms are enforced. Not only is the classic and sleek uniform a hallmark of Brentwood, but it is also instantly recognizable to anyone who knows the school. It's a symbol of the school's traditions and a reminder of the high standards expected of students.
In fact, there is evidence that uniforms promote a sense of unity and belonging among students. When everyone wears the same clothes, it becomes easier to see each other as part of a team or a community. Uniforms also eliminate the pressure to keep up with the latest trends or fashions, which can be a source of stress and anxiety for many students.
As well, I personally believe that it allows one’s character to be defined by who one is rather than what one is wearing.
Hazel L, Allard '23, Grad President, and local fashionista, states it best: “Even though I love to express myself through clothing, there is something nice about not having to worry about what I’m going to wear the next day at school. Instead, I can use that time for more important matters.”
Of course, grads, parents, or new students may be concerned about the necessity of uniforms, as well as what happens to them after they are no longer needed. To address such questions I took matters into my own hands and asked the wonderful hard-working ladies in laundry that keep our uniforms clean and crisp every day. I found out that every year, Brentwood takes donations of uniform pieces that have been outgrown, to be reused by other students as an alternative to buying new uniforms.
Brant S, ‘93, alumni and parent of three Brentwood students can attest to the pristine and long-lasting quality of these garments when he says, “I actually still have my uniform hanging in my closet, and I’d probably still be wearing certain pieces if I was the same size!”
“I’ve been at Brentwood since Grade 8 and am graduating this year. I have gone through at least one full uniform cycle, and being able to get uniform pieces at a reduced cost and in a sustainable way is something I appreciate,” says Lily C, Mack '23.
So, whether it's to save time in the morning before classes, to reduce our environmental impact, to continue important traditions, or to subtly build a sense of community, Brentwood's uniforms, as they approached their centenary, continue to meet our fashion and function needs.
Lucy M, Mackenzie ‘23