* Prisons: Inmates typically wear standardized uniforms, often featuring drab colors and numbered markings for identification.
* Hospitals: Patients might wear gowns or pajamas provided by the hospital. Staff may have specific uniforms or scrubs.
* Nursing homes: Residents may wear clothing provided by the facility, often designed for ease of care and safety.
* Schools (sometimes): Some schools, particularly boarding schools or military schools, may require students to wear uniforms.
* The military: Uniforms are a defining feature of military service.
* Mental health facilities: Patients may wear clothing provided by the facility.
The key characteristics of institutional clothes are often:
* Simplicity: Basic designs minimize maintenance and personalization.
* Durability: They need to withstand frequent washing and wear.
* Practicality: Often designed for easy cleaning, movement, and safety (e.g., no drawstrings for choking hazards).
* Identification: Numbering or other markings might be included for tracking purposes (particularly in prisons and hospitals).
* Uniformity: Everyone in the institution might wear the same or very similar clothing to maintain order and identification.
It's important to distinguish between institutional clothing and uniforms in general. While all institutional clothing can be considered uniforms, not all uniforms are institutional clothes. School uniforms or work uniforms, for example, are not usually considered "institutional" unless the institution is a prison, hospital, or similar type of facility.