Overwhelming Majority of Parents Expect to Spend as Much or More Than Last Year on School Uniforms, Back-to-School Survey Says

Online Survey Shows Price & Durability Of Uniforms Most Important Factors In Parents' Purchasing Decisions

Most Parents Feel School Uniforms Have No Impact On Kids' Creativity Or Their Ability To Express Themselves

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Aug 23, 2010, 10:17 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the poor economy, nearly four out of five (77 percent) parents of children who attend a school with a dress code said they will spend as much or more than last year during the back-to-school season, according to an online survey conducted in mid-August on behalf of school uniform supplier French Toast (www.FrenchToast.com).

Even so, more than half of the parents in the survey (55 percent) cited price as the most important factor in determining which school uniforms they plan to purchase. Nearly one-third (32 percent) of parents said school uniform durability is the most important factor. The vast majority of parents (82 percent) said they expect to spend between $100 and $200 on uniforms per child.

"The economy is forcing parents to focus more than ever on price and durability," said Michael Arking, President of www.FrenchToast.com, noting that a complete French Toast school uniform wardrobe sells for less than $120. "Still, parents also want their children to feel good about their school clothes so there is definitely more fashion being added to the world of school uniforms," Arking added.

On the style front, Arking said the fashion influence can be seen with girls' blouses, which are featuring more Lycra, allowing for a more of a slim silhouette and tapering. There are also more bows and ribbons on the blouses to lend a more feminine appearance, said Arking. Other prominent school uniform style trends, Arking said, include more skinny pants and more colors, such as teal, purple, grey, burgundy and black. For boys, Arking said, cargo pants are seeing a resurgence, and double knees and double-stitched seams are important draws for parents looking for durability.

Interestingly, almost six in 10 parents (59 percent) said wearing school uniforms has "no impact" on their child's creativity or their ability to express themselves. Almost 60 percent of the 416 respondents said their child attends a public school with a dress code. Public schools are increasingly adopting dress codes, with a seven percent increase in the number of public schools that either committed to, or are seriously considering, adopting a school dress code.

In addition to the price, durability and fashion elements, Arking said French Toast's sales are being driven by macro factors, including the consistent increase in public schools adopting dress codes along with children wearing their dress-code clothing outside of school – for play and on weekends.

About French Toast

Since 1958, French Toast has provided families with quality children's wear and school uniforms at great prices. Schools and school districts across the country also turn to French Toast for information and tools that can help them adopt their own school uniform and dress code policies.

French Toast Uniforms can be found at major retailers or at www.frenchtoast.com. Parents can also request a catalog by mail by calling 1-800-FRENCHTOAST.

For school inquires about adopting a uniform program and to request our free Partnership for Education kit call 1-888-55 SCHOOL.

French Toast also encourages kids and parents to participate in its $15,000 "U in Uniform" contest. Details can be found at www.uinuniform.com.

French Toast can be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/FrenchToastcom/119383800713?ref=nf and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FrenchToastcom