Why do student pilots have to wear uniforms?
Just think about it: Climbing out of a C152 with epaulettes, who wouldn't be laughing? My university that offers flying as a tertiary degree, requires students to "wear the academy's uniform at all timeswhile attending the university, particularly on roster."
I don't even think it's necessary at all. It is just like Air Force Cadets where the majority of the participants had inflated egos that could rival the fighter pilots at Top Gun (considering themselves fighter pilots) when they couldn't even get the plane up into the air.