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South African parents like parents in other countries often take photographs on their children's first day of school. These first day portraits over time provide an interesting view of changing school trends. The trend toward casual schoolwear that we noticed in the late-20th century, continued in the early 21st century. This trend was most pronounced at the schools without uniforms. Here the younger children essentially wore play clothes to school. We also see the trend at schools with uniforms. A few schools still had traditional British-style uniforms including caps, ties, and blazers. Much more common were schools with casual style uniforms. The girls still wore dresses, but the boys often wore open-collar polo-styled shirts and shorts. Quite a few schools allowed the children to come to school barefoot.
South African schools have different rules about schoolwear. Some schools let the children wear their regular clothes. Other schools have required uniforms. The trend toward casual schoolwear that we noticed in the late 20th century, continued in the early 21st century. This trend was most pronounced at the schools without uniforms. Here the younger children essentially wore play clothes to school. We also see the trend at schools with uniforms. A few schools still had traditional British-style uniforms including caps, ties, and blazers. Much more common were schools with casual style uniforms. Many schools have polo shirts or other caual shirts and shorts. The shirts commonly are in destinctive clors or have logos. The shoirts are less varied. Khaki or grey shorts are common. The girls still wore dresses, but the boys often wore open-collar polo-styled shirts and shorts. Quite a few schools allowed the children to come to school barefoot. Many children prefer this.
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