The Nostalgia of School Uniforms: Why I’ll Never Forget Mine (And why you might want to keep your childs too)

School uniforms -Love them or hate them, they’re a part of so many of our childhood memories. I can still picture mine now—blazer, tie, and a kilt that never as soon as I left the house somehow got shorter. The tie? Always worn as short as possible (because that was the fashion, of course) and heaven forbid you didn’t keep an eye on it or someone would “peanut” it—pulling it tight so the knot jammed and you’d need a full lunch break to sort it out again.

If you're wondering where I am, you'll find the very young Tracy in the front row on the end to the right

We wore our Kickers like badges of honour, or maybe like me you had a pair that was a cheap knockoff because your parents couldn’t afford the real deal but didn’t want you to feel left out. Our rucksacks were slung across the body —always one strap. And how did you carry your PE kits? Forget fancy gym bags. Ours were proudly carried in plastic carrier bags from Topshop or Jane Norman, the more stylish the bag, the more serious your street cred.

It’s funny how something as simple as a uniform can carry so many memories. The friendships, the first crushes, the nerves before an exam, the mischief, the laughter in the corridors… that uniform saw it all. In fact when while I’m sitting her thinking about school uniform it triggers so many other memories.

I remember in primary school when Yorkshire bank were encouraging children to save and we had a mini bank set up in school, where I worked for the afternoon as a cashier. Or when in year 6 the class won a competition and had the chance to go to Disneyland Paris and represent the UK at a children summit and I can't forget a school trip to PGL (Parents Get Lost - do you remember being told it stood for this?) I have a vivid memory of the muddy assault course and being told to dunk my head in the muddy puddle and flip my hair back like the women in the timotei advert. And this is crazy that i've remember this just by thinking about my school uniform.

So, as a mum myself, I watch my own children heading off in their neatly labelled uniforms—sweatshirts too big and shoes just shiny enough to show they’re new. I can already see the memories they’ll one day look back on too.

Which is why I love creating keepsake bears from school uniforms. It’s not just about preserving fabric—it’s about holding onto a chapter of life that disappears far too quickly. One minute you’re packing their first book bag, and the next, you're watching them walk through the school gates for the last time.

Imagine one day being able to hand them a bear made from that very uniform. A little piece of their childhood stitched together with love and meaning. Something that brings back the stories, the laughter, and all the unforgettable “remember when” moments.

So whether your child is just starting their school journey or about to finish it, now is the perfect time to think about capturing that moment in fabric. Because one day, they’ll be looking back and smiling at the memory of their own school tie—maybe even remembering how they wore it as short as they could get away with, too.

If you’ve been thinking about what to do with those old school clothes, I’d love to help you turn them into something truly special. A keepsake bear that holds more than just memories—it holds a piece of their story. Check out the School Uniform Keepsakes and order their keepsake today.