Ever since Britney Spears burst on to the music scene scantily-clad in a school

uniform, schoolwear has undergone a revolution.

School chic is back and taking the fashion world by storm, with designers showcasing sexy interpretations of uniforms on the catwalk.

Itchy jumpers and nylon trousers are out, tight white shirts, waistcoats and miniskirts are most definitely in.

Girls as young as seven are hankering after the school-chic look of pleated, tartan miniskirts and kitten heels but such fashion comes at a cost.

Some designer accessories cost as much as £100, with kitten-heel shoes priced up to £200.

Of course, not every parent can afford designer prices, or is willing to pay for them on the grounds school is for learning, not for appearing fashionable in front of friends.

Joy Twigg, who runs Hove-based Klassy Kids, which supplies school uniforms to more than 80 schools in the area, said there had been a sea change in the type of clothes she was asked to supply.

She said: "The majority of girls at senior school wear trousers and a lot of them ask for them to be the latest style.

"They won't buy standard school trousers - it has to be boot cut or flares. I've even had boutiques phoning me up and asking for navy trousers in the right cut.

"Girls have been asking for certain style trousers in navy but because it isn't this season's colour, none of the High Street shops are stocking any."

Mrs Twigg said schoolchildren seemed to be becoming increasingly fashion conscious.

And it was the boys as much as the girls who were asking about certain styles and trends.

She said the cost of an ordinary school outfit was still relatively low with basic junior school clothes setting parents back £30 and senior school ones up to £50.

But with designers like Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, DKNY and Cacharel all launching new collections inspired by the schoolgirl look, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep costs down.

Some schools have introduced a policy of no designer labels and stipulate clothes have to be bought from their own school suppliers.

Richard Wing, deputy head at Blatchington Mill in Hove, said: "We get round the no designer label policy because our school uniform has to be bought from our school shop.

"It covers ties, jumpers and sweatshirts.

"Shirts and blouses have to be plain white, with no logos, and trousers and skirts have to be sensible, although what is sensible is open to discussion.

"I personally believe the value of school uniforms is you get away from this competitive aspect of looking good.

"Otherwise it's just more pressure on parents to spend money."