What do girls wear under their uniform?

[flamingoland1]

I have DD starting next week and am wondering whether to get something to wear under her dress like cycling shorts. Do kids wear them to cover their knickers?

In my country we used to wear them under our skirts so wanted to ask what people in Uk do. Many thanks.

[Justajot]

No, just knickers. The point of knickers is to cover up their privates, covering the knickers is unnecessary.

My DD's school had an issue with midday supervisors telling the girls to put on their PE shorts if they wanted to do handstand. The headteacher nipped that in the bud really quickly as it's important not to put barriers in that dissuade girls from being physically active or to worry about their knickers being seen.

[Sanblasamor]

Many do yes but also lots don't and just have their knickers under. Quite a lot of girls at Dd's primary wear trousers or shorts or culottes too.

[Polkasquare]

Lots of girls do wear cycling shorts under their dresses as modern knickers are quite thin and gappy. But lots of people think this is wrong as girls shouldn't mind if other people see their underwear.

[Justajot]

Thinking about it, my DD2 wears trousers anyway. I wasn't sure that she could get tights back on after PE and didn't want the teacher to need to help her as the teacher has enough to do. So trousers seemed more practical and she's just stuck with them.

[audweb]

I thought the point of pants was to cover up your private area? My daughters never worn anything else to cover up more, I’m not sure why small children would need to cover up more.

[TorysSuckRevokeArticle50]

Just knicker and a vest in the winter.

DD does like shorts and joggers sometimes though, she likes the prettiness of a dress but gets frustrated with the skirt lifting so often chooses trousers for practicality.

[purpleme12]

Just knickers if she's not wearing tights

[Teacher12345]

I have bought DD some shorts style knickers as normal knickers cover very little for some reason. No need of anything to cover knickers imo

[Parker231]

Just proper knickers if they are wearing a dress but trousers are more practical for racing around, climbing and handstands Also saves trying to manage tights in the colder weather.

[grey12]

Boys do look under girls skirts....

I saw Asda does like boxershorts for girls. You could get something like that if it's a worry you have.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

Boys do look under girls skirts....

Maybe we should be dealing with the boys looking under skirts instead of expecting girls to change their dress to accommodate boys looking under skirts.

My DD wears pants - which bought in her right size cover everything they need to.

[PaquitaVariation]

@grey12

Boys do look under girls skirts....

I saw Asda does like boxershorts for girls. You could get something like that if it's a worry you have.

So deal with the inappropriate boys behaviour then!

[formerbabe]

When my dd started school, she wore trousers. Much more practical imo...and easier for pe changing. I got her the soft jersey kind of trousers with no fastenings

[BackforGood]

I've only ever seen this as 'a thing' on MN. I've never come across it in all my years teaching in Primary and Early Years.
I think it is SUCH a bizarre idea.
Your pants cover the part you want to keep private. I don't 'get' why you would then need to cover them up, other than with your trousers,, skirt or dress as is the cultural norm in Western Countries.

[flamingoland1]

Thanks, interesting to see different responses. Yes, I hear boys do become interested at some point in looking under girls' skirts (probably not in reception though). It might be difficult to police them if DD isn't aware. I know for a fact that she would resist wearing trousers though.. I've seen skorts sold in Asda so that might be the best bet. Although, from seeing many of your comments, I'm probably being a bit over protective.

And yes I'm originally from an Asian country so very different culture!

[RedskyAtnight]

I wouldn't make an issue out of something that isn't one in Reception. If she herself wants to wear something under her skirt when she's older, that's a different question.

[ThatBitch]

At my dd's school a lot of the girls wear leggings instead of tights as it gets colder. They're longer lasting and easier to deal with and mean they can wear their normal socks so have warmer feet. Occasionally dd wears skorts or playsuit pinafores but most of the time she just wears her pinafores with knee socks. Pants cover everything they need to.

[MJMG2015]

No, she only needs knickers, but please make sure they fit properly as many aren't wide enough between the legs to keep them covered when they're sitting cross legged in the mat - it's not nice for teachers.

But seeing knickers when doing handstands and the luke - no big deal!

I hope she enjoys school!

[Emma1962]

My eldest wears normal knickers & cycling shorts (year 4). It was really because her legs kept outgrowing her skirts & sitting down etc wasn’t very dignified, now I think she just finds it comfortable. My youngest doesn’t but I expect she will at some point.

[catgotyourtongue]

DD7 wears cycling shorts, tights or leggings under her skirts/dresses because she feels more comfortable like that.

[catgotyourtongue]

Ooh just remembered that Asda sell a skort which is really cheap and really good!

[Polkasquare]

Skorts are great, but they really are the same as wearing cycling shorts under a skirt, except that with a skort the shorts are attached to the skirt.

[RandomTree]

Just knickers is fine OP.

[KangarooLady]

Just knickers here, if she's concious about them then give her some breathable cycling shorts, but if she doesn't mind then just stick with knickers. Get vests for winter, go for white as other colours can be seen through white shirts ect.

[modgepodge]

100% agree with dealing with boys who are lifting girls skirts. Girls should not have to change what they wear, boys should be taught this is unacceptable and not funny. It quite possibly might happen in reception, I’ve known y1 boys do it.

I teach primary, at my old (junior) school, the majority of the girls wore shorts under so they could do handstands without worrying - I don’t think they did in the infants though. My current school is all girls and even in y6 they happily do handstands and cartwheels with just knickers under! I think the lack of boys around makes them less self conscious?

I’d say go with knickers, but if she starts asking for shorts I’d let her have them.