School smocks are generally associated with Europe. Children on
the Continent, both boys and girls, were commonly dressed in
smocks during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. French,
Belgium, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and other school children
commonly wore smocks to school instead of a school uniform
during the first part of the 20th century. The Italian and
Spanish influence introduced smocks to Argentine and Uruguayan
school children as well as other Latin American countries. They
are also sometimes seen in Middle Eastern schools. The smock is
a very utilitarian garment. There are a variety of reasons why
they were adopted for schoolwear, from protecting clothes to
improved discipline. Proponents say that it puts an end to
thetyrany of fashion and helps to minimaize social inequality.
It also helps to maintain disciplime in the school. A French
source listed the following reasons why school children should
wear smocks. While this is a French view, it probably is not
greatly different from how paren