Four Tested Ways to Personalize the (bland) Hoban Uniform

For at least four years of our lives (more like 13 for us Catholic grade school-goers), we are forced to participate in a ludicrously outdated ritual that strips us of our individuality, our freedom and our creativity: wearing a uniform.

We, in our 12 years of experience, however, have discovered a loophole– a tried and true way to display personality, regardless of even the most stringent dress code enforcement. Now, don’t get us wrong, we’re not telling all of you to rebel from dress code and wear whatever your heart desires, rather, we’re just sharing how we personally break free from the shackles of conformity in place here at Hoban. Here are our tips for adding a personal flare to your uniform that will–hopefully–give you a needed boost of confidence to get you through the (hardly bearable) school day.

Choose your outfit the night before.

Okay, before we get into the specifics, we have to, first and foremost, start with the actual planning. For those of you who, like us, face the daily excruciating struggle of getting out of bed in the morning, this one’s a must. If you wait until the morning of to pick out a stylish outfit, you’re going to have a much more difficult time, considering the only thing anybody ever wants to wear upon leaving the warmth of their bed is sweatpants, a sweatshirt and fuzzy socks. But hey, if that’s your style, we applaud you and envy your 24/7 comfort. If your style differs or relies on careful planning, however, this tip is essential. Afterall, you don’t want to come to school and realize the pants you thought matched your outfit in the dark are quite a different shade than the pants you’re currently wearing.

Wear cool socks. Always.

We cannot stress this one enough: socks can make or break an outfit. There are so many options and so many styles that’ll add a much-welcome addition to the traditional Hoban ensemble. You could go for a trendy look and wear your dad’s white crew socks (Sam’s frequent go-to), a unique/indie style and wear a fashionably patterned pair (s/o to Lily Zaucha) or a quirky aesthetic and wear two different socks (which I (Sam) did the entirety of sophomore year, trust me, it’s a look). Currently, my (Sam’s) favorite socks are socks that make a statement! My go-to pattern? A pair that displays the issue of banning certain books in schools, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to a fund that promotes literacy in underdeveloped countries, of course!

Invest in unique shoes.

To accompany the dope socks, you need dope shoes. Whether it be splurging and finally buying that pair of Vans you’ve been eyeing forever, or finding a unique pair on the sale rack that perfectly matches your favorite school pants, the investment is necessary! The versatility is seemingly never-ending when it comes to shoes; the right pair will portray your personality perfectly, we guarantee it.

Jewelry. Jewelry. Jewelry.

Naturally, we saved the best (and by-far most important) for last. Necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, ankle bracelets–literally any piece of jewelry ever invented–will not only increase the style of your uniform by approximately 1,000,000 percent, but will also boost your overall aesthetic by at least double that amount. If you’re looking for interesting, different, unique jewelry, our advice to you is simple: shop local. Local artists/shops are always producing quality pieces that most likely no one else will have–and it helps out small businesses, which is always a plus!

Basically, the one thing to remember (along with these tips) is to be yourself. Always. If you want to wear that bold color or those wild socks or that statement jewelry piece, do it. You are individual and different and unique and awesome–embrace it!