WHAT IS IN THE MEDIA

12/9/2011-FRIDAY
NEW STRAITS TIMES

STUDENTS GO FOR STYLISH UNIFORMS


FASHION TREND: More students opting for tailored 'cool-looking' outfits

Mass-produced school uniform
The days of buying mass-produced school uniforms is history for students who prefer theirs tailored to their specifications.
 WITH only three weeks to go before the new school year begins, students are going the extra mile to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
Many students today prefer splurging on "cool-looking" uniforms than buying cheaper mass-produced ones, even though schools enforce a strict dress code.
"Personally, I prefer comfortable shirts made of 100 per cent cotton and slim-fitting pants," said Muhammad Amsyar Muzamuddin.
The 16-year-old said he was willing to work on weekends to earn enough money to buy tailor-made school uniforms.
"I find the ones sold in regular shops and supermarkets to be unfashionable. That's why I'd rather spend RM300 every year to buy custom-made school attire," said the SMK Methodist ACS Sitiawan student.
James Gabriel Fernandez, 16, agreed that most male students his age could be very self-conscious when it comes to their appearance in school.
"Most of my friends don't want to be caught wearing oversized or baggy trousers. They prefer slim-fit or skinny pants."

School prefect Priya Puva, 17, from SMK Aminuddin Baki, said female students were no less fashionable and some girls would flaunt school rules to look good.
"I normally catch female students who wear custom-made pinafores which are above the knee. Some students also wear body-hugging baju kurung which is disallowed."

Priya added that some of the most popular accessories bought by female pupils included colourful friendship bracelets and trendy sling bags.
Meanwhile, parent Helen Fernandez, 51, said she spends about RM240 yearly to buy brand new school uniforms for her daughter who studies at SMK (P) Pudu.
"We visit a tailor shop every year to get my daughter's new uniform done. She can be very particular when it comes to the material used for her pinafore."
She added that she spends another RM200 for a pair of new shoes, bag and stationery.
Today's tech-savvy students are also adding gadgets, in particular smart phones and gaming devices, to their list of must-have items before the new school term begins.
Suresh Nair, 45, said his 10-year-old son had been asking for a phone and a Playstation Portable for some time, but he was afraid that his son would be taking banned items to school.
"If that happens, they might be confiscated or stolen. There is also a high chance that he will be distracted from his studies," the businessman said.