More than 30 years after blazers were phased out at the Dunedin secondary school, senior uniforms are about to make a return, along with new junior uniforms.
Kaikorai Valley College uniform committee member Margaret Beagley said blazers were phased out in the late 1970s, and year 13 pupils had been allowed to wear mufti since the early 1980s.
"Until now, we have been the only secondary school in Dunedin without a school blazer.
"We felt it would be a good thing for the students' image, to bring it back."
Mrs Beagley said pupils and parents were recently surveyed about whether they wanted a return of senior uniform, and what they wanted it to look like.
Surprisingly, the new uniforms were welcomed by the pupils, she said.
Year 13 pupils Jessica Wilson and Sean Cook said year 11 and 12 pupils had previously worn school jerseys and polo shirts.
"It was all right on a day-to-day basis, but in comparison to other schools, we felt a little under-dressed at public functions," Jessica said.
Sean said many pupils were finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with fashion and the associated expense of buying new clothes.
"Mufti is much more expenive than we thought it would be, and it's very difficult to wear something only once a week, rather than five times a week.
"Wearing mufti means doing a lot more washing as well," he said.
The new senior uniform would see the return of the school's green blazer, with added blue trim, and white shirts with "KVC" embroidered on the collar.
Junior boys would continue to wear white polo shirts, junior girls would be given embroidered blouses, and both would be given woollen vests with school logo.
The new uniforms will become compulsory next year, except for year 13, which will become compulsory in 2014.
Mrs Beagley said the uniforms would be phased in to help cut dramatically higher uniform costs for parents.
