School uniforms in Pingtan county, Fujian province will no longer be cold-shouldered as they have been decided by polls rather than the authority's 'bad taste'.

The education authority in Pingtan county, Fujian province will use the school uniforms which have been voted for by local students. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The local education bureau singled out 52 out of 156 types of school uniform in August and let more than 16,000 students vote on their chosen designs.

The uniforms fall into four categories: summer uniforms, summer sportswear, winter uniforms and winter sportswear. The poll was open to pupils and students from middle and high schools.

“The school uniforms, besides looking more fashionable, will have better quality. For instance, the winter uniform will use cashmere wool to intensify the warm effect,” said Lin Liyong, an official with the local social affairs bureau.

The winners, eight each for primary, middle and high schools, were announced on Nov 27. Many of them imitate the popular styles of school uniforms in Britain, South Korea and Japan.

The education authority will hold an open bid soon to decide on the supplier of the uniforms, said Lin.

The cool school uniforms have won praise from the students.

“I admired other school uniforms a lot when I watched TV. They are better looking and more fashionable than ours. In the past we could only choose the size of our uniforms, but this time we have the call. I think it is time for students outside Pingtan to envy us,” said Chen Xingyan, a sixth grader.