There are several arguments against requiring students to wear school uniforms. These include:
- Uniforms stifle individuality and creativity. One of the main arguments against school uniforms is that they suppress students' individuality and creativity. When everyone is wearing the same thing, it can be difficult for students to express their own unique personalities. Additionally, some students may feel self-conscious or uncomfortable in standardized outfits which can hurt their creativity and participation.
- Uniforms are uncomfortable and impractical. Students who oppose school uniforms often argue that they are uncomfortable and impractical. Some uniforms are made from itchy or stiff material, and they can be difficult to move around in. Additionally, students may need to wear multiple layers of clothing to stay warm in cold weather, making them very inflexible.
- Uniforms are expensive. Another concern about school uniforms is that they can be expensive to purchase. families will pay more uniform purchases on top of clothes they were planning to buy. Families can spend $100 to outfit one kid in new school apparel with required clothes and extra to have back up clothing for days with spills and/or dirt. Not everyone has disposable income. Some school administrators also mandate brand name items even in low income areas which creates disparity. Furthermore, uniforms can add hundreds more to parents expenses if their children's school mandates private school like attire versus plain or solid colored clothing in most public education areas.
- Uniforms don't actually improve student behavior. Despite the claims of some school administrators, there is no clear evidence that school uniforms actually improve student behavior. Some studies have found no significant difference in behavior between students who wear uniforms and those who don't. On the contrary, there have been many reports of conflict and disciplinary issues because not every student nor parent want to comply with dress codes. Uniforms do not improve classroom behavior or academic performances like they were initially assumed to do according to data provided by a few studies like Journal of Experimental Education (2010) from The Ohio State University, and Stanford (2017). There has been evidence to suggest in certain environments they can create issues amongst those who refuse to conform, and cause a negative learning environment and experience.