Loretto Academy has made a change to its uniforms for the elementary, middle, and high school which will begin in the 2025-2026 school year.
President Ms. Cobb, Middle/High School Principal Mrs. Tovar, and the Dean of Students Ms. Martinez were the initiators of this change.
Dennis Uniform
Ms. Martinez said, “Dennis Uniform went out of business and there was trouble with parents receiving orders.”
Dennis Uniforms announced they would close all of their stores in late October because of severe financial problems.
According to the Dennis Uniform website, they were founded in 1920, and manufactured nurse uniforms in Portland and was bought by Julian Shipley in 1940.
The first retail store opened in 1947 and in 1952 John Shipley, son of Julian Shipley, took over management of the company.
In 2007, Dennis Uniforms partnered with Larose School Uniforms and brought Ivonne Larose as Dennis’ Vice President of New Business Development.
In 2023 they launched the Dennis Distribution Center in Fort Worth, Texas in order to provide faster shipping and growing business.
Anton Uniform
Ms. Cobb was able to find a different vendor based in Tempe, Arizona and here which is called Anton Uniforms.
Ms. Cobb said “Many different vendors reached out to us but our staff found Anton Uniforms and it had amazing reviews.
I decided to take a chance on them because they are focused on customer service and they strive for high quality as well as service.”
Anton Uniforms was founded in 2011 by John and Amy Anton.
When the Anton’s children attended school that needed uniforms, the family dealt with issues regarding items.
John Anton connected with the school uniform business and released pricing and inventory in November of 2011.
Ms. Martinez said “We told Mr. Anton that we wanted to try a new logo that involved the tower, the year it was established, 1923, and include ‘Oh Suffering Jesus, Oh Sorrowful Mary’.”
Anton Uniforms made the logo which will not be displayed on both the elementary, middle, and high school.
Junior, Orlyola Tantchou said “The uniforms have a modern take that brings a change and new feel to the uniform.
It helps to emphasize that it’s a Loretto uniform that’s more prominent and when you go out you can be recognized and represent Loretto.”
New Implementations
The logo will be in blue for the elementary and middle school while the high school logo will be in black.
Anton Uniforms also has limited stock of some of Dennis Uniforms inventory that can be bought on the Anton Uniforms website or in store at 5380 N Mesa St.
Mrs. Tovar said “ The PAL store, run by Loretto parents, will continue to support our students and family with gently used uniforms as well.”
Students will be able to wear their Dennis Uniforms for the 2025-2026 school year and students will have that year to phase out the old logo and get the new uniforms.
Mrs. Tovar said “I think this will benefit the girls because we will have more choices for the high school and that we are keeping a tradition while improving some options.
As for middle school, they celebrated their 50th anniversary and a new skirt marks the new beginnings.”
Middle school will now have a skirt that has red which will tie them to the high school and elementary skirts.
In relation to price difference, Ms. Cobb said “Anton tends to be less than what Dennis had been charging and they also have sales which families can take advantage of.
If you buy early, as long as the tag is still on, you can return it as long as it’s new.”
Loretto Academy continues to grow and evolve and one step in that process is the changing of uniforms and adding options for students to choose from.
The new look will surely enact more changes for our campus as well as campus life regarding the elementary, middle, and high school.
