Fashion adviser urges schools to allow personal style

Fashion adviser Karolin Kuusik said on ERR’s Terevisioon that school clothing should allow children to express some of their own style and personality, even where schools have uniforms.

Kuusik said small details can make an outfit look more academic and neat while still reflecting a child’s preferences. “Clothing could somehow express at least a little of the child’s own wishes, style and character,” she said.

She added that children should decide for themselves what suits them, as some want to stand out more than others. Polo shirts, made from the fabric of a T shirt or sweatshirt but with a more orderly appearance, are a fashionable choice this autumn, she said.

For both boys and girls, trousers are a key item, Kuusik said. Soft trousers with pleats are fashionable, as are pleated skirts, which can also create a distinctly school-like look while leaving room for personal touches. A sweatshirt or stylish white socks can make a skirt look less formal.

Vests are another practical option because they can be worn in layers. A white T shirt underneath can add neatness and create a black-and-white contrast, Kuusik said.

She also highlighted the preppy style, which she described as clean, elegant and academic clothing derived from the dress of students at elite schools and universities in the United States. Although it can resemble “grandfathers’ style,” she said, it now looks youthful. Wearing a shirt under a sweatshirt adds a layer and makes the outfit look more orderly.