If it was down to you, would you want your child to wear a blazer?

[MrsJamin]

I personally don't like them at all but am interested what others think as I'm on a group deciding school uniform for a Secondary school. Are there any manufacturers that make comfortable ones? Would it put you off a school or make you excited if they didn't have a blazer?

[Sparklingbrook]

DS1 (14) wears one and i really like it. It looks smart, I wash it every week and he hasn't got to think about coats etc (teens aren't big on coats).

He uses the pockets for stuff too-he likes wearing it.

In winter he wears the school jumper underneath.

[RegainingUnconsciousness]

They look so smart in them! And they do turn into a wearable pencil case.

[80sdrummer]

DS wears one, he is so broad shouldered and it is in an unconventional colour so it costs £40. It's not unusual for 14-16 year olds to be the size of adults and a blazer can be cost prohibitive to many families.

I'd much rather he had a couple of sweat-shirts, it's cheaper and less likely to get ripped playing football, as well as more laundry friendly

[Sparklingbrook]

YY-wearable pencil case Regain.

[SofaKing]

Hate them. The secondary school that my DC are due to go to makes them compulsory for 1st years and 6th years to wear them, and it is making me consider sending them to another school.

They are not waterproof or very warm, have no hood and essentially fulfil no other function than making children look 'smart'.

I'd rather my children wear a warm, waterproof, practical garment on the way to school and get a good eduction when they are there. The school which insists on the blazers has one of the lowest results in the county, so I think this is an attempt to improve the reputation of the school without making any effort to improve the exam results of the pupils.

[Sunnymeg]

Yes to a blazer, mainly because of the pockets, especially for emergency money and mobile phone. If like DS, you don't have a locker available at school a blazer pocket is the safest place to keep your important stuff.

[Sparklingbrook]

There is no way I would use blazer/no blazer alone as a reason for choosing a school. That would be a bit weird.

[eggybrokenoff]

what sofa said - I see so many kids without a proper coat as well soaked to the skin walking to and from school. kids need a proper coat of they are walking in all weathers (dont get me started on girls in stoopid shoes for school)

[Idespair]

I don't mind them as long as they are machine washable and not too expensive.

[motherinferior]

Hate them. I hate uniform overall and think blazers are revolting.

[RandomMess]

Hate them because they don't come in different fits ie different cuts for exceptional slim build or broader build for wider dc.

Dds is far too wide for her everywhere but too short in the sleeves so doesn't look smart.

[NorbertDentressangle]

I strongly suspect DD's school (which DS will also be going to in a couple of years) will introduce them in the near future.

It became an academy a while ago, has a new head etc so changes are afoot I reckon.

Personally, although I think they look smart, I would prefer that they didn't have them. Coats are more practical and bags can be used for all the stuff that people are listing like pens, letters, phones etc.

[Sparklingbrook]

I love school uniform. Stops the fashion show/ designer brand competitiveness that you get on dress down days.

[Rufustherednosedreindeer]

The ones we have are fantastic to wash, dry in minutes. £28 each and last for donkeys and the children look very smart

But none of the children wear coats and they are half frozen in the winter, not sure what the answer is really

[ivykaty44]

A blazer is a very antiquated piece of clothing and gents clothing at that.

I wouldn't want my dc's in blazers and I don't see woman wearing blazers

I would much prefer a unisex uniform and hate to see a uniform based on mens clothing and then given to female students - tbh I find it at best insulting and at worst sexist.

a blouse polo top, sweat top and either trousers or skirt I find much less offensive and far easy to wash and dry and looks smart.

Don't get me started on ties

[usualsuspect]

Hate them, hate uniform in general though.

[Sparklingbrook]

I love ties. They are clip on, and in house colours. Girls and boys wear blazers at DS1's school. They all look good to me.

[DeWe]

I loved my blazer at secondary. All those lovely pockets!
Quite disappointed no schools use them round here. Dd2 is in love with the one I got her for Chalet School fancy dress.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

My dd was in the head's office this week, and saw two sample uniforms hanging up, and asked if they were changing uniform... the head sighed and said no, just every single week some uniform company send out samples, presumably because they haven't (unlike most schools round here) changed to an ersatz-private school blazer and tie combo.

I found this quite interesting - suggests a lot of schools are being cold-called and 'Jones-ed' on this (hello, Headteacher, I don't know whether you're aware that many of your neighbouring schools are changing to smarter uniforms, and I wondered whether you'd considered...) - rather than just changing because they objectively decide to!

(dd said 'I don't think we should just change it cos it's the zeitgeist', and he said he quite agreed! proud )

[ivykaty44]

RR - do you really see woman in a mans style suit with a tie?

[BackforGood]

I like them - smart, obviously all 'uniform', useful (love the 'wearable pencil case' description). However, I wouldn't choose / not choose a school over such a thing.