Band Uniform unreasonable?

[Amy68]

DD2 who is now 12 has just got into the school band, she plays the flute. We were both very pleased as she loves music and this is a great chance for her. They go on camps and do concerts in school and roundabout. Just one problem. The band uniform STILL requires girls to wear skirts, even though they have worn trousers on schooldays for about 20 years, which must be black and exactly knee length. My DD doesn't like wearing skirts but really wants to stay in the band. The director argues concerts are formal events and require smarter dress than everyday school. That is fair, but is this too far?

Other mums say their girls put up with it for a few hours and revert to trousers or short skirts at school, and I'm tempted to tell DD to do the same. Or should we challenge this rule?

[mumeeee]

Most bands I know the girls where skirts,

[DaphneHeartsFred]

Not worth fighting over tbh.

[ramonaquimby]

humph
how terribly old fashioned. I'd fight it

[Amy68]

I suppose you are right we should just accept it for 3 or 4 times a year. I THINK they can wear trousers for outdoor events which is something, but it's not the cold DD dislikes. She is just not a girly girl.

She said she would rather 'suffer' a skirt a few times than lose out on music. The band are very well known and have won various awards. You just wonder why in 2011 you can't consider trousers just as smart.

[ramonaquimby]

It is old fashioned in 2011 for girls not to have the choice of wearing trousers or a skirt, girls can be just as 'smart' in trousers!

(but have to say dd1 and dd2 have never had a pair of school trousers , both prefer the skirts! But I like that they have the choice)

[usualsuspect]

Seems rather old fashioned to me

[usualsuspect]

old fashioned rule though

[Amy68]

One other place. Are you kidding? What about private schools. I have NEVER seen a private school girl in trousers, even in the deepest freeze last December. Obviously their skirts are heavier, longer and warmer than your average skirt, and they had to wear thick tights, boots etc but they survived.

There's a thought. Are any bright kids put off private school by the thought of wearing the uniforms (not just the skirts, the whole thing can look ugly).