Uniforms hit stride with parents, kids

Bob Shemeligian

Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 | 10:01 a.m.

Mervyn's department store shopper Adriana McGurk, whose 12-year-old son Brennan attends St. Francis De Sales School, strongly believes in uniforms for students.

"I think it's a great idea," McGurk said. "With uniforms, the kids aren't concerned so much who's wearing what. In Europe, the school kids wear uniforms, and rather than clothing styles, they're focused on education and career."

Many area retailers also say uniforms are a popular option and are selling briskly.

"Uniforms are less expensive than the name-brand clothing, which is definitely a plus, and a lot of the parents like the idea of the kids wearing uniform clothing to school," said Lisa Briggs, manager of the children's section at the Mervyn's store at 4700 Meadows Lane.

Uniforms always have been standard in scores of area private and parochial elementary schools, but in recent years parents of many area public school children have taken to the navy and white colors of school uniforms.

"Parents of children at several area elementary schools have expressed an interest in uniforms for the children in recent years," said Mary Stanley-Larsen, Clark County School District spokeswoman.

Unlike private and parochial schools, where uniform clothing often is required, the conservative attire is optional at public elementary schools such as Vanderburg, Bonner, Crestwood and Hill.

"I like the school uniforms," said Rita Wong, a fourth-grader at Bryan Elementary School, where uniform dress is optional. "They look nice, and when I get up in the morning, I don't have to worry, 'What do I wear, what do I wear.'"

Her mother, Joyce Wong, agrees.

"I think uniforms are better than casual clothes," she said. "There's a lot of trouble every morning debating with the children what to wear."

The Wongs have purchased an assortment of navy blue and khaki skorts (shorts that resemble skirts) and white and off-white tops.

Mervyn's is not the only retailer reporting an increase in sales of school uniforms.

"Sales are fantastic," said Paul Kuzdas, children's business planning manager for J.C. Penney. "Uniform clothing is selling extremely well in the Las Vegas market."

Like many other retailers, J.C. Penney offers its own line of uniform clothing: Apparatus for boys and New Moves for girls.

Kuzdas said uniform clothing moves so quickly in Southern Nevada, it's difficult to keep enough stock in the store.

Uniform sales are "very strong" at Target, said Carmen Rivera, school uniform coordinator.

"We can't keep up with demand," Rivera said. "Even when we sell out, they ask for rain checks."

The Target stores on South Maryland Parkway and East Charleston Boulevard carry uniforms, and next year all area Target stores will carry them, Rivera said.

Boys' uniform slacks range from $12 to $16, and polo tops sell for about $8 at most area department stores.

Girls' skorts generally range from $14 to $16 and blouses from $12 to $14.

As with all traditional solid-colored uniform clothing, bottoms are generally navy blue, olive or tan, and tops are white or off-white.

The prices for uniform wear are about half what mom pays for name-brand wide-legged denim trousers and baggy denim shorts.

"It's not unusual to pay $25 for the Union Bay baggy shorts," Briggs said. "You know you pay more when it's a name brand."

"I think it helps morale in the schools," Rivera said. "The children don't have to think about what they're going to wear in the morning. Also you don't have the problem of some children being able to afford nice clothing, and others who can't. Now, they're all on the same playing field."

One reason why retailers especially like the idea of uniforms is because it allows them to offer two lines: conservative dress for school and casual wear for after-school.

"A lot of shoppers are also buying fashion clothing for after school," Kuzdas said. "We're selling a lot of flair-legged jeans for girls and wide-legged for boys. Corduroys are also very popular."

Although school uniforms may be gaining in popularity, it's still tough competing against the appetite for popular fashion in public schools.

Cynthia Bass, a Mervyn's shopper who held an armful of casual jeans and corduroys, said Wednesday it's OK for kids to dress casually as long as they're serious about school.

Bass was shopping for her 9-year-old daughter Shanique; 7-year-old son Marquise, and 5-year-old son Ernest.

"They like the baggy look and they get what they want," Bass said with a smile.