Why, rages my 15-year-old daughter, do we have to wear school uniform? What is the point?

The point, I explain patiently, is that everyone looks the same.

The clue is in the name: uniform means unvarying, alike.

But she is at the age when teenage girls experience that perennial clash between the rigid constraints of school life and their desire to be different, to stand out, to express their individuality in a creative and often flamboyant and colourful way.

Her spat was triggered by a forthcoming clampdown at her school on uniform: a ban on trendy Vans or DCs with only black leather or leather-effect shoes allowed, no leather jackets, and worst of all, the only trousers to be worn are “loose slacks”. Never, ranted my daughter, will she wear “loose slacks”.

Same here.