Chicago: Chilling the Fashion Rage

Chilling the Fashion Rage

Air Jordans, designer jeans, starter jackets -- the fashion competition among even pre-teenage children on Chicago's grim West Side is not just fierce, it's murderous. Toughs steal high-priced apparel right off their schoolmates' backs, and sometimes the victim gets killed in the process. Now the advisory council at Tilton Elementary School has decided to put an end to the status strife. The school has adopted a new voluntary uniform: navy slacks, white shirts and ties for the boys; white blouses and blue skirts or jumpers for the girls.

Similar dress codes are in force at public inner-city schools in Baltimore, Detroit...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!