Internatinal Jurnal f Hme Science 2017; 3(1): 350-354 ISSN: 2395-7476 IJHS 2017; 3(1): 350-354 2017 IJHS www.hmesciencejurnal.cm Received: 08-11-2016 Accepted: 10-12-2016 Supriya Rathi 11, Lwer Rawdn Street Klkata, India Samita Gupta 11, Lwer Rawdn Street Klkata, India Primary schl unifrms fr girls: T study the preferences and t develp suitable unifrms Supriya Rathi and Samita Gupta Abstract Clthing is the mst intimate envirnment as it can be carried everywhere with an individual, creating its wn rm within a rm and its wn climate within the larger climate f ur surrundings. Children need clthing which is capable f prviding cmfrt within a garment, prtectin frm assciated risks in utdr activities and functinality t d activities faster besides being attractive in all fashin terms. Frm the present study, it was fund that there was a definite need fr specialized unifrms in rder t meet the basic functins and cmfrt f children. The stitched unifrms were assessed against varius attributes and frm the study it was fund that children preferred cttn fabric with shades f blue and white fr their schl unifrms because f its light weight, absrbing capacity and cmfrt ability. Respndents preferred features like shirt cllar, v-neck line, shrt sleeves, n yke, set in pckets n the frnt right panel and pleats fr skirt, flaps fr belt and pckets n side seam; few f them preferred pinafre style f unifrm. The results revealed that the designed schl unifrms culd be intrduced fr primary schl girls as they were aesthetically appealing and t imprved cmfrt while perfrming different activities in schls. This survey has revealed many facts abut schl unifrm which were causing dissatisfactin amng children. Keywrds: Primary schl girls, Unifrm preferences, Clthing cmpnents in schl unifrms, Designing schl unifrms. Intrductin A schl unifrm is an utfit, a set f standardized clthes wrn primarily fr an educatinal institutin. Primary schl students spend half f their day, accrding t the educatin state f schl, by wearing schl unifrms. Therefre schl unifrms shuld be cmfrtable t wear and als they shuld be wrn fndly. Children s wear ffers special pprtunities fr design t be creative yet functinal by using clrs, shapes, trimmings, prints and textures with imaginatin. Schl unifrms have been prven t be beneficial fr students, parents and teachers. They reduce nn-academic distractins remve clthing stress n students and parents and fster a sense f cmmunity. Schl unifrms shuld include items that are affrdable, cmfrtable, made frm easy-care and easy wear fabrics, suitable fr all bdy shapes and shuld prvide girls and bys with equal access t the full range f schl activities. Keeping these views and preferences in mind fllwing bjectives were framed fr research: t study the perceptin and preferences with regards t primary schl unifrms fr girl s, designing cmfrtable and aesthetically appealing primary schl unifrms fr girl s, assessing the perfrmance f designed unifrms [1]. Crrespndence Supriya Rathi 11, Lwer Rawdn Street Klkata, India Methdlgy The study was cnducted in different schls f Klkata. The device fr the cllectin f data cnsisted f pre tested questinnaire which was administered t ne hundred parents f primary schl girls. Questinnaire was develped t illicit infrmatin frm parents f primary schl girls regarding features in schl unifrms. It cnsisted f general infrmatin f the child, details abut the level f satisfactin, features and prblems assciated f the existing unifrm, preferences f the style and features t be incrprated in the unifrms. Their perceptin with regard t existing unifrm clur, texture, and cmfrt f wear, pattern r design, style, silhuette, print, embellishments were cllected and evaluated. Apart frm this the pinin n an ideal schl unifrm and their preferences such as its length, design, ~ 350 ~
Internatinal Jurnal f Hme Science sleeves, cllar styles, clur preferences and mst suitable fabric accrding t the parents, teachers and children was cllected. Frequency, percentages, verall mean, weighted scres was used t find ut the clthing preferences fr schl unifrms by primary schl girls. Further, designing cmfrtable and aesthetically appealing primary schl girl s unifrms was dne. Selectin f mst suitable five designs and ten fabrics fr cnstructin was dne by taking pinin f ten experts (tw textile experts, tw unifrm shpkeepers, tw unifrm manufacturers, tw kids wear manufacturers and tw primary schl teachers). The designs were scred as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 crrespnding t average, fair, gd, very gd and excellent respectively. The attributes n which the evaluatin f designs was dne were apprpriateness fr prduct, clthing cmpnents present and verall aesthetic appeal. The attributes n which the evaluatin f fabrics was dne were apprpriateness fr prduct, fabric clur, fabric texture and verall aesthetic appeal. Cnstructin f Schl Unifrms and assessment f Cnstructed Schl Unifrms was dne thereafter. Feedback f wearing trial f unifrms was cllected frm parents f thirty children; acceptance f the unifrms in terms f fabric, clthing cmpnents, verall aesthetic appeal and cst f the garment was seen. Statistical analysis f data using Tw-way ANOVA technique was dne. Results and Discussin Perceptin with regard t existing schl unifrm was studied under fllwing categries: feeling uncmfrtable with the misfit f the unifrms at sleeve parts and waist line. They were finding majr prblem in fitting at these tw parts as they did nt allw free mvement. Table 3: Parts f the Existing Unifrm causing Discmfrt t Children Features WS X Rank Upper Garment Necklines 351 3.51 V Cllar 381 3.81 IV Armhle 390 3.90 III Sleeve 412 4.12 I Fabric 403 4.03 II Lwer Garment Crtch 333 3.33 III Waist Line 371 3.71 I Fabric 365 3.65 II Durability f Existing Schl Unifrm As per the data btained, fifty three percent f respndents said that they had t buy unifrms almst every year as schl unifrms were durable frm ne year t tw years. Because f the lw quality fabric and stitching nt up t the mark, quite less durability was nticed. Mst f the mthers expressed that the unifrms faded ut easily and luster f the fabric was lst in less than a year. Therefre, at least tw t three sets f unifrms were taken at ne time fr them t last fr ne t ne and half academic sessin. Features Present in the Existing Schl Unifrm Respndents were satisfied with the fabric design and durability f the unifrms. Texture f fabric, garment design and cst effectiveness was mderately liked by the respndents. Respndents felt that there culd be variatin in clurs in the schl unifrms f primary schl girls. Table 1: Features Present in the Existing Schl Unifrm Features WS X Rank Clur 333 3.33 VI Texture 353 3.53 1V Cmfrt 330 3.30 VII Durability 365 3.65 II Fabric design 414 4.14 I Garment design 311 3.11 V Cst effective 330 3.30 III Satisfactin with the Existing Unifrm The abve table clearly shwed that majrity f respndents was nt happy with the present schl unifrm. Fifty three percent f respndent were nt satisfied with the present type f unifrm Hwever, fifteen t twenty percent f the respndents fairly felt satisfactry. Since a number f respndents were nt satisfied with the unifrms, the study was cnducted where cmfrtable unifrms were develped using suitable fabrics. Table 2: Satisfactin with the Existing Unifrm Level f Satisfactin (f) % Highly Satisfied 15 15 Satisfied 12 12 Fairly Satisfied 20 20 Nt Satisfied 53 53 Fig 1: Durability f Existing Schl Unifrm Durability f Varius Cmpnents f the Existing Schl Unifrm When the respndents were asked abut the parts f the unifrm that wears ut easily, mst f respndents felt that the unifrm n the whle wre ut easily. This culd be because f lw quality f fabric being used t make the unifrms mre cst-effective. Thugh respndents were nt dissatisfied with the type f fasteners being used, but their majr cmplaint was that the fasteners were nt attached prperly and came ut readily. Hwever, cllars and sleeves als wre ut smetimes. Thugh pckets had gd durability, but a number f respndents felt that the number f pckets were nt adequate as per the need f small children. Table 4: Durability f Varius Cmpnents f the Existing Schl Unifrm Part f Garment Weighted Scre X Rank Cllars 327 3.27 IV Pckets 313 3.13 V Sleeves 362 3.62 III Fasteners 403 4.03 I Whle Garment 384 3.84 II Parts f Existing Unifrm causing Discmfrt t Children Preferences f respndents with regards t expected schl As per the infrmatin cllected, mst f the children were unifrms were studied as fllws: ~ 351 ~
Internatinal Jurnal f Hme Science Type f Unifrm Preferred Accrding t the data cllected, shirt and skirt was the mst preferred unifrm fr primary schl girls. This culd be because it is the mst cnventinal unifrm style. Pinafre dress and A-line dress were als preferred, prbably because f ease f wearing and handling by yung children. Respndents preferred divided skirt frm safety and cmfrt pint f view. Sme f them suggested that they culd prefer divided skirt fr sprting activities. T-shirt with pants r shrts was nt preferred. This culd be because pants were nt cnsidered suitable fr ht and humid weather f Klkata. Table 5: Preference fr Type f Schl Unifrm Type f Garment WS X Rank Salwar Kameez 160 1.60 VIII Divided Skirt 343 3.43 V T-Shirt & Shrts 292 2.92 VII Wrap Skirt & Shirt 344 3.44 IV A-Line Dress 358 3.58 III Shirt & Skirt 398 3.98 I Pinnafre& Shirt 373 3.73 II T-shirt & Pant 304 3.04 VI b. Fabrics Preferred in Unifrms As per the data cllected frm the respndents, maximum number f parents preferred cttn because f its cmfrt prperties fllwed by plyester/cttn blends, prbably fr its easy care prperties. With regard t the fabric pattern preference mst f the respndents preferred t have plain fabric fr schl unifrm fllwed by stripes and checks. Flral prints and dts were nt preferred prbably because they cnvey a sense f casual and infrmal clthing in schl. Clurs such as beige, brwn, grey, blue were preferred ver red, yellw and pink. Respndents preferred neutral clurs prbably because they did nt shw much dirt and lked neater, whereas sme respndents even rated fr white clur as they felt that althugh it required special care but it reflected a greater discipline in the schl envirnment and they wanted t make their children learn hw t stay neat and tidy. Table 6: Fabrics Preferred in the Schl Unifrm Fabric Features Weighted Scre X Rank Materials used Cttn 417 4.17 I Plyester 261 2.61 IV Cttn/plyester blend 357 3.57 II Plyester/viscse blend 234 2.34 V Wl/plyester 227 2.27 VI Acrylic /Cttn 293 2.93 III Fabric Design Checks 352 3.52 III Stripes 394 3.94 II Plaids 335 3.35 IV Flral Prints 227 2.27 V Dts 220 2.20 VI Plain 397 3.97 I c. Clthing Cmpnents Preferred in Unifrms Mst preferred clthing cmpnents were shrt sleeves, full rll and Peter Pan cllar, rund neckline, welt pckets r set-in pckets. Ykes were nt preferred and mst preferred silhuette was A-line. With regard t the fasteners, mst f the schl unifrms pssessed press buttns. Hks were used fr skirt and pinafre. The shirts f bth girls had small buttn fasteners. Frnt placket was the mst preferred placket, ~ 352 ~ prbably because it allwed ease in wearing the garment by yung children. Mst f the respndents felt that plackets were always used t allw clthing t be put n r remved easily by the child, but smetimes it culd be used purely as a design element. Majrity f the respndents preferred gathers and pleats fr fullness in shirts and skirts. Skirts typically have pleats t prvide freedm f mvement. Majrity f the respndents preferred gathers and pleats fr fullness in shirts and skirts. Gathers were preferred ver pleats prbably because they allwed ease in irning the garment. Table 7: Preference fr Clthing Cmpnents in the Schl Unifrm Clthing Cmpnent Weighted Scre X Rank Sleeve Length Full Sleeve 302 3.02 II 3/4 TH Sleeve 220 2.20 III Shrt Sleeve 434 4.34 I Type f Sleeve Sleeveless 221 2.21 VI Puff Sleeve 347 3.47 II Plain Sleeve 389 3.89 I Flared Sleeve 239 2.39 V Sleeve Cuff 300 3.00 IV Cap Sleeve 342 3.42 III Ykes Rund 331 3.31 II Straight 302 3.02 IV V-Shape 329 3.29 III Withut Yke 363 3.63 I Type f pcket Flap Pcket 276 2.76 V Set-In Pcket 355 3.55 II Bund Pcket 313 3.13 III Hip Pcket 310 3.10 IV Welt Pcket 377 3.77 I Pcket Placement n upper garment Right Panel 356 3.56 I Left Panel 346 3.46 II Bth The Sides 278 2.78 IV Nne 295 2.95 III Pcket Placement n lwer garment Side 316 3.16 I Frnt 259 2.59 III Back 306 3.06 II Type f Cllar Mandarin Cllar 329 3.29 VII Shawl Cllar 342 3.42 VI Full Rll Cllar 387 3.87 I Cnvertible Cllar 345 3.45 V Shirt Cllar 357 3.57 III Peterpan Cllar 370 3.70 II Sailr Cllar 346 3.46 IV Neckline Square 340 3.40 II Rund 400 4.00 I V-Neck 284 2.84 III Garment Sillhette A-Line 380 3.80 I Straight 303 3.03 II Flared 302 3.02 III Fastneres in shirt/tp Small Buttns With Buttn Hles 320 3.20 IV Press Buttns 340 3.40 I Hks 323 3.23 III Zipper 279 2.79 V Large Buttns with buttn hles 326 3.26 II Fasteners in skirt/pinafre/dress Hk & Eye 362 3.62 II
Internatinal Jurnal f Hme Science Press Buttns 319 3.19 IV Elastic 404 4.04 I Zipper 329 3.29 III Buttns With Buttn Hles 289 2.89 VI Type f Placket Cncealed Placket 412 4.12 II French Placket 283 2.83 IV Frnt Placket 578 5.78 I Shulder Placket 299 2.99 III Fullness in shirts Tucks 312 3.12 III Gathers 377 3.77 I Pleats 354 3.54 II Nne 260 2.60 IV Fullness in skirts/dresses Tucks 309 3.09 III Gathers 370 3.70 II Pleats 380 3.80 I Nne 287 2.87 IV Assessment f the Cnstructed Unifms G3 Shirt: Shirt Cllar Centre frnt pening Shrt sleeve 70-30% cttn plyester fabric Pinnafre Dress: Bx and knife pleat Sleeveless V neckline Side seam pcket 70-30% cttn plyester fabric G1 T-shirt: Rund neck Shrt sleeve Knitted sinker fabric Gathered skirt with straps: Gathers Side seam pcket 100% Cttn denim fabric G2 A-line Pleated dress Shrt Sleeve Patch Pcket Sailr Cllar Centre back pening Inverted bx pleat Fabric- pplin (100% cttn ) Fabric fr design- 65-35% cttn plyester G4 Shirt: Shirt cllar Centre frnt pening Tulip sleeve Blind tucks 100% cttn fabric Skirt: Bx pleat skirt Side seam pcket 70-30% cttn/plyester fabric ~ 353 ~
Internatinal Jurnal f Hme Science G5 Tp: Etn cllar lantern sleeve Centre frnt pening V-yke in frnt Plats in frnt and back Sweetheart style line Khadi fabric Skirt: Divided skirt Side seam pcket Bx pleat Khadi denim fabric References 1. Agarwal D, Effects f Schl Unifrms Achievement Behaviur, And Attendance in Gvernment Schl f Odisha: A Case Study f Sundergarh District, Textile Trends 2015; 13(1):5-14. 2. Ggi M, Baruah B, Designing Of Dresses fr Pre-Schl Girls, Asian Jurnal Of Hme Science, 2015; 10(1):84-87. 3. Guge William Elihue, a cmparisn research study n the use f schl unifrms and graduatin, attendance and suspensin rates in east Textile Trends. 2011; 34(4)3. 4. Kantheti P, Dr. Sharada AD, Dr. DA Features Preferred By Primary Schl Children in Schl Unifrms. 2015; 4(3):1-4. 5. Kantheti P, Dr. Devi AS, Dr. AD, Smart Unifrms Fr Primary Schl Children, 2015; 20(7):1-5. Fig 2: Unifrms Cnstructed Cnstructed unifrms were shwn t thirty respndents and they were asked t wear these garments fr half a day. Views f the respndents abut unifrms were taken regarding acceptance f these in terms f suitability, fabric, design and appearance. Shirt and skirt in beige and brwn (G4) had the highest ranking in terms f fabric attributes. This culd prbably be because f hundred percent cttn fabric used fr shirt which prvided excellent absrbency, breathability and sftness prperties. The clur cmbinatin culd als be an imprtant factr determining the preference. Frm the aspect f design, appearance and clthing cmpnents, the unifrm cnstructed frm Khadi fabric was preferred the mst (G5). Prbably a divided skirt had gd aesthetic prperties and was mst suitable fr yung girls t carry varius kinds f physical activities in schl. Als the clur cmbinatin was rated high by the mst f the respndents. As per the verall ranking f the unifrm, pinafre dress with shirt in blue clur (G3) has btained the highest rank. When the fit and cmfrt f garment, verall design and cst f garment was cnsidered tgether, blue clured pinafre dress with pleat, centre frnt pening with a shirt in white and blue pin stripes shwed highest preference. The garment had high aesthetic appeal and was mderately priced. Frm the tw way ANOVA test, it was seen that in terms f verall suitability f the garment there was equal acceptance amngst all the attributes at 5 percent level f significance. Cnclusin Majrity f respndents were satisfied with the cnstructed unifrms and were keen n recmmendatin f such unifrms in schls because prbably they felt that the cnstructed unifrms had a gd cmbinatin f cmfrt and aesthetic prperties and yet they had mderate maintenance prperties and were cst effective as-well. ~ 354 ~