Articles of Interest: School Uniforms

Host: Avery Trufelman
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Articles of Interest, host Avery Trufelman delves into the multifaceted topic of school uniforms. Through engaging conversations with guests like Grace Tarducci, an independent filmmaker and former Catholic school student, and renowned fashion designer Prabal Gurung, the discussion navigates the historical roots, cultural implications, and modern debates surrounding school uniforms in American education.

Personal Experiences with School Uniforms

Grace Tarducci's Rebellion

• Timestamp [00:37]: Grace shares her experience as a student in a Catholic school from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her personal style was a form of rebellion against the strict dress code, pushing boundaries with accessories, dyed hair, and makeup.

  Grace Tarducci: "I had this fuzzy knit skirt and a jacket trench coat. And I think I was wearing really tall boots." [00:16]

• Timestamp [01:58]: Grace recounts disciplinary actions taken against her for uniform infractions, including being told to dye her red hair to a natural color, which she found patronizing.

  Grace Tarducci: "I felt like that was patronizing to us that we wouldn't be able to do our schoolwork because someone had red hair." [02:40]

Impact on Personal Identity

• Timestamp [46:31]: Grace reflects on how wearing a uniform shaped her style and identity, even influencing her current fashion choices.

  Grace Tarducci: "Having to wear a uniform my whole life definitely shaped my style and my identity." [46:31]

Historical Context of School Uniforms in the United States

Origins in Catholic Institutions

• Timestamp [13:14]: Historian Sally Dwyer McNulty explains that the first instances of school uniforms in the U.S. were in Catholic Indian boarding schools, aimed at erasing Native American cultural identities.

  Sally Dwyer McNulty: "They were putting Native American kids into uniforms that were supposed to make everyone look the same." [14:06]

Evolution Through the Decades

• Timestamp [23:02]: Victor Eisenberg, a uniform manufacturer with military experience, secured a monopoly on Catholic school uniforms, producing standardized clothing that emphasized modesty and uniformity.

  Sally Dwyer McNulty: "These early mass-produced uniforms were basically like white blouses with simple solid jumpers." [23:17]

• Timestamp [24:00]: The adoption of plaid became prominent in the 1960s, partly influenced by cultural trends and efforts to create distinct identities for each parochial school.

  Grace Tarducci: "Why do we have every single kid in a polo? ... plaid becomes more prominent in the 60s." [24:00]

Modern Implications and Debates

Uniforms as Equalizers vs. Symbols of Conformity

• Timestamp [03:01]: Avery expresses nostalgia for uniforms as equalizers, contrasting with Grace's experience of them as restrictive.

  Avery Trufelman: "I was always so jealous of people who wore uniforms. I think that uniforms are fundamentally pretty great." [03:01]

• Timestamp [09:04]: Designer Prabal Gurung discusses how uniforms initially felt confining but ultimately allowed him to explore personal identity within set boundaries.

  Prabal Gurung: "It allowed me to really explore the possibility of defining how I present myself to the world." [09:27]

School Uniforms and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

• Timestamp [37:13]: Grace and Dr. DeWitt Scott discuss how punitive dress codes and uniform policies contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline by enforcing strict compliance and disciplinary actions.

  DeWitt Scott: "Mandating uniforms... didn't really achieve what Clinton felt it would achieve." [38:03]

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Timestamp [35:09]: The Tinker v. Des Moines case is highlighted as a pivotal moment establishing students' free speech rights, while also setting the stage for stricter disciplinary codes.

  Grace Tarducci: "This was an infringement on these students' right to free speech." [34:53]

• Timestamp [36:40]: Avery notes the extensive nature of school discipline codes, emphasizing how minor infractions can escalate into severe penalties, often disproportionately affecting marginalized students.

  Avery Trufelman: "It creates another door for more rules." [38:52]

Guest Insights

Prabal Gurung on Uniforms and Identity

• Timestamp [06:33]: Prabal Gurung shares his background, growing up in Nepal, and his challenges with Catholic school uniforms that stifled his creative expression.

  Prabal Gurung: "White shirt, navy blue trouser with navy blue blazer... it was so boring." [07:24]

• Timestamp [09:22]: He reflects positively on his decision to subtly alter his uniform, finding it a gateway to personal identity and understanding societal rules.

  Prabal Gurung: "I'm glad I did. Because it allowed me to really explore the possibility of defining how I present myself to the world." [09:25]

Sally Dwyer McNulty on Cultural and Economic Factors

• Timestamp [15:56]: Sally discusses how early Catholic schools catered to working-class Catholics, promoting modesty and economic practicality in uniform design.

  Sally Dwyer McNulty: "It's presentable, economical, and that you could manufacture a huge amount." [17:32]

• Timestamp [24:55]: She elaborates on how Catholic schools became cultural insiders during the Cold War, emphasizing discipline and contrasting with communist secularism.

  Sally Dwyer McNulty: "If communism is godless, then uniforms are full of God." [25:08]

Student Perspectives

Voices from Today’s Students

• Timestamp [43:08]: Grace interviews current high schoolers about their feelings towards uniforms, revealing a mix of acceptance and desire for more practical options.

  Student: "I like the uniform. It's really easy to decide what I'm gonna wear in the morning." [43:08]

  Another Student: "I wish that we only had one skirt so we didn't have to buy twice as many skirts." [43:12]

Conclusion

The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing nature of the debate around school uniforms. While uniforms can foster a sense of community and reduce socio-economic disparities, they also raise concerns about individual expression and can contribute to systemic issues like the school-to-prison pipeline. Avery Trufelman underscores the importance of continuous dialogue and student involvement in shaping dress codes, advocating for policies that balance order with personal freedom.

Notable Quotes

• Grace Tarducci: "I felt like that was patronizing to us that we wouldn't be able to do our schoolwork because someone had red hair." [02:40]
• Prabal Gurung: "It allowed me to really explore the possibility of defining how I present myself to the world." [09:27]
• Sally Dwyer McNulty: "They were putting Native American kids into uniforms that were supposed to make everyone look the same." [14:06]
• Avery Trufelman: "I was always so jealous of people who wore uniforms. I think that uniforms are fundamentally pretty great." [03:01]
• DeWitt Scott: "Mandating uniforms... didn't really achieve what Clinton felt it would achieve." [38:03]

Additional Resources

• Grace Tarducci's Work: gracetarducci.com – Explore Grace's animations showcasing the evolution of school uniforms.
• Prabal Gurung's Memoir: Walk Like a Girl – Dive deeper into Prabal Gurung's journey and his insights on fashion and identity.
• Forever Ago: A kid-friendly version of the podcast addressing school uniforms, available on Articles of Interest Substack.

Thank you for tuning into this insightful discussion on school uniforms. Stay curious and keep exploring the threads that weave our cultural fabric.