Sixth form 'uniform' aagghhhh!!!!

[mumoverseas]

DS is going to a new school for his A levels.
We accepted his place last year and had been waiting for what seemed like ages to receive more information.
I knew it wasn't going to be cheap buying all the 'uniform', sports kit etc and didn't want to leave it all until the last minute due to costs (wanting to spread it out a bit) and also, don't want to spend the last week in August sewing in sodding name tags.

Anyway, a few months ago made some enquiries with the school about the sixth formers uniform. There was nothing in the initial paperwork we'd been given nor on their website. I was advised that the sixth formers wear suits, shirts and ties, not a 'normal' school uniform.

Fine. I started planning ahead and over the past few months DS and I have been buying nice shirts and ties etc. He spent some of his money on a few 'designer' shirts in various shades of blue and expensive ties as he has finally developed an interest in looking (and smelling) nice.

I also really pushed the boat out and had a beautiful suit tailor made for him. We were abroad at the time and to be honest, it was cheaper than some of the shop bought ones but still expensive. Beautiful grey wool & cashmere with a blue pinstripe.

Anyway, yesterday received all the joining information through the post. I felt like lying on the floor and crying when I saw that the suit must be black, blue or grey with no pattern, the shirts must be white and the tie is in fact the school tie. Haven't told DS yet, he will be gutted. I now have to go out and buy another new suit, shirts, ties etc

[SueW]

Oh dear

It would probably be useful for him to have more than one suit anyway so look on it as an opportunity to expand his wardrobe. It may e that once he gets to school, you'll find he can get away with the pinstripe - rules are often there to stop the more outlandish but it depends how strict the school is.

[risingstar]

keep beautiful suit for university interviews!

buy cheap and machine washable suits from m and s online-pref in the sale.

it is school uniform still- be grateful- boys in our local sixth forms look like pimps!

[choochoochaboogie]

There will be other opportunities for the lovely suit to come out.

[mumoverseas]

maybe I shouldn't feed him too much over the next few years . What is even more annoying is that I bought him a nice M & S suit last year as he HAD to have one as was invited to the leavers prom for the year above. When he tried it on last month the sleeves were nearly up to his elbows and he'd only worn it once. When do they stop growing?

Machine washable actually sounds like a very good idea. At least he got to wear the new suit once at his nanny's funeral last week

[scienceteacher]

DS has to wear a black or charcoal suit, with pastel colour plain shirt and sixth form or prefect tie.

We spend about £50 at M&S for the suit and get a three-pack of shirts for less than £20.

[mumoverseas]

£50 for a suit!

[webwiz]

I haven't manage to hunt down any suitable suits for DD2 yet and her sixth form induction week is looming - the problem is she is a size 6 and all the teenage type shops where we normally get tiny clothes don't tend to do sensible suits. Maybe I could give her all the extra food that mumoverseas' son isn't allowed to eat

[scienceteacher]

You can even get £25 suits!

[hocuspontas]

I'm amazed at people buying clothes for school before August! Us lazy arses never have this problem

[MrsBadger]

webwiz - you need a Next factory outlet, their Petite range is good and there are usually a lot of 6s as not many people are a 6

[mumoverseas]

£25!where?
size 6! I couldn't get one of my butt cheeks into a size 6!

[webwiz]

I'm not being that organised hocuspontas - DD2 needs her suit for July 6th which is sixth form induction week. Also she appears to need a complete new wardrobe to go on a three day outward bound team building thing

We have been to a Next factory store today but it had lots of jackets in the right size but no matching trousers or skirts.

[scienceteacher]

I bought DS1's suit in June last year because that is when he did his work experience. I don't think he is growing (much) now, so there is not much of a time factor.

[hocuspontas]

Ah. Our induction week was in September.

[iheartdusty]

episode always seem to have very small sizes in tailored clothes, not at £25 though.

[piscesmoon]

I think it is always a good idea to look at the 6th form students and see what they are actually wearing before you spend any money.
DS had to wear 'business dress', some translate this to a suit but they don't have to have a suit so I didn't get one as DS would only wear one if forced. (A great pity as he would look nice in a suit).
Someone mentioned university interviews. When we took DS everyone was very casual-it was an art subject so this may make a difference-but a suit would have looked out of place. I would check first.

[mumoverseas]

bugger! its been confirmed that he can't wear his lovely new pinstripe suit and I have to buy a plain one.
Help me out ladies, the cheapest I've found so far is £110 for a suit (Next) any other suggestions?

[Bellabellabella]

M and S are selling one for £50.00. Maight be worth a look.

[mumoverseas]

oooh, thanks for that. I looked online last week and the cheapest was £100+. I'll be dammed if I'm spending stupid money on another suit

[Bellabellabella]

Look under 'schoolwear, boys, suits'

[mumoverseas]

found it, fantastic, thanks for that

[risingstar]

webwiz

good old m and s also do suits in a size 6! i work with several skinny young things- if it needs to be business dress rather than a suit, could she do a jacket and black trousers or similar-at least for induction week?

One of my colleagues really rates the m and s on-line petite suits esp the size 6 short trousers-they really are short enough! she reckons £75 for a suit.

[Twims]

Why not check out ebay?

[webwiz]

Well we bought two suits today one from Next at £75 and the other from Primark at £25. She just needs some blouses now and that will do. If she wants to wear something different every day she will need to start funding it herself! I think though as its business dress rather than a uniform (it does specify matching jacket/trousers jacket/skirt though) she does have various tops already that will be suitable.

The excitement of not wearing school uniform any more does wear off quite quickly though - thank goodness

[holdthatsuckerdown]

God I thought only ONE school had a suit dress code for 6th form.I didn't know it was that common!!- or praps you all talking about the same school??south london, highly desirable??

Think the only reason half of us WENT to 6th form when I were a lass was so we could wear ripped jeans and bin our crimplene navy skirts!!