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Original poster

To ask if boys can wear coloured gingham school shorts?

852 replies

Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:17

DS starting school in September. I’ve never liked the grey boys’ school shorts. I think they’re horrible.

Could a boy wear the shorts version of the summer dresses in the warmer months? The ones like this:
https://direct.asda.com/george/school/shorts/light-blue-girls-gingham-longer-length-school-shorts/G008057152,default,pd.html?redirectFromInt=1&cmpid=ppc--geor-------_-dskwid-_dm&utm_campaign=pla:Fashion-School-_Performance_Max&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17501196607&gbraid=0AAAAADt8Wcm1oMWVYoBrMZRAaJmY4OxHM&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgIXCBhDBARIsAELC9ZgYG9pdeZibdgD76_xniRBLDqnyyvZArL9DdLA7VsYiWE5zGC1CWE0aAkIFEALw_wcB

The little boys round here wear a lot of brightly coloured patterned leggings.

Why couldn’t they were these shorts? Are they obviously girly? Would people bully him or think we were weird? I just think they’re nicer.

Light Blue Girls Gingham Longer Length School Shorts | School | George at ASDA

• Shorts • Cotton rich • 2 side slip pockets • 2 side patch pockets • Pull on. Shop from our latest range in School.

https://direct.asda.com/george/school/shorts/light-blue-girls-gingham-longer-length-school-shorts/G008057152,default,pd.html?cmpid=ppc-_-geor-_--_--_--_-dskwid-_dm&gad_campaignid=17501196607&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADt8Wcm1oMWVYoBrMZRAaJmY4OxHM&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgIXCBhDBARIsAELC9ZgYG9pdeZibdgD76_xniRBLDqnyyvZArL9DdLA7VsYiWE5zGC1CWE0aAkIFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&redirectFromInt=1

OP posts:
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TheCurious0range · 06/06/2025 07:51

LavenderBlue19 · 06/06/2025 07:26

Are they actually allowed as part of the uniform? If it's stated that girls can wear them then they should let boys too. But ours is grey shorts only.

I agree that they're horrible, but by school age children do want to fit in. Also no school age boys wear leggings, despite them being very common at nursery. A shame but they want to look like their mates.

DS is 6 he still wears lindex brushed cotton inside leggings (not to school at they're not in the uniform policy but for non uniform days, outdoor learning, playdates etc) and so do several of his male school friends, and the ones who don't don't bat an eye that others do. DS is very tall for his age and very slim, joggers fall off if I get them long enough and are pretty scruffy. I don't see why boys should have to wear jeans or trousers with a button fly.

Having said that I wouldn't put him in those shorts, I wouldn't put a girl in them either.

Heronwatcher · 06/06/2025 07:51

Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:36

Yes I think the fabric is horrible. I remember even thinking that when I was at school myself!

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You can get grey shorts in jersey type material which are nice.

Dont send him in gingham bloomers though. School is hard enough without going dressed as little lord Fauntleroy.

Taytayslayslay · 06/06/2025 07:51

Notyourfaultbutmine · 06/06/2025 07:25

You'd need to check the schools uniform policy - they usually stipulate colours, and when summer v winter uniform should be worn.
Also don't make him the one boy that's different - like the boy whose mum put him in the school cardigan instead of sweatshirt and all the other boys told him he was wearing girls clothes (at my DCs primary)

Agreed. My son chooses to wear a cardigan(he has sensory issues and prefers them) but initially he did have a jumper. It's completely his choice and fortunately had no issues. And my kids school only allows the gingham dresses from spring until the end of summer.

Ponoka7 · 06/06/2025 07:50

TheNightingalesStarling · 06/06/2025 07:26

Because society decided its more important for girls uniform to look cute and pretty rather than be practical. So it curtains their playing. Meanwhile the boys can slide across the grass and climb without worrying about their clothes.

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Actually, gingham was more like denim and calico. It was practical, tough and could be washed at high temperatures. There was a meaning behind the traditional pattern (these things don't happen by accident, like tartan. We've just kept up the pattern. Girls don't have to wear dresses, but some want to. Some women want to wear bright/pastel etc clothing. I live in dresses over summer. I like pink, in the cultures I mix in, pink is a unisex colour. Women and girls now have more choice over clothing.

Weekmindedfool · 06/06/2025 07:49

You really are making it up as you go along aren’t you?

Strawberrryfields · 06/06/2025 07:48

I think the grey shorts look smart and are practical. I think it’s a bit much to say little boys have colourless lives, it’s just a pair of shorts. The actual purpose of a uniform is to be uniform. School is only 30 hours a week.

LunchtimeNaps · 06/06/2025 07:48

In our primary school even the girls aren't allowed these shorts or the skirt version. They are only allowed the dress and that has to be zip up only and not the dress/shorts combination.

Original poster
Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:48

Sherararara · 06/06/2025 07:45

So you want to use your kid as a guinea pig?

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I don’t think they’re hugely different from something like this, which is what he’s wearing today, which is why the thought occurred.

To ask if boys can wear coloured gingham school shorts?
OP posts:
brunettemic · 06/06/2025 07:47

Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:41

I think patterned shorts are rather different to a skirt? One being a huge statement and the other just being a different style of shorts? Sending a four year old boy to school in a skirt would be a whole other level.

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If you asked 100 people if those are for boys or girls I’m willing to be at least 90 would say they’re for girls. If you want to get them go ahead, but don’t come back complaining when a) you have to buy grey ones and b) your DS is being picked on for wearing girls clothes.

WhatMe123 · 06/06/2025 07:47

If you want them to stand out and be the only one then yes

Ellie1015 · 06/06/2025 07:46

No I wouldn't send my son in those unless he desperately wanted them.

loulouljh · 06/06/2025 07:46

Really don't do that......

Sherararara · 06/06/2025 07:45

Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:44

I’m not trying to make a gender political argument! We’re not particularly progressive as a family. Of course I know other boys don’t wear checked shorts, but maybe it could start?

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So you want to use your kid as a guinea pig?

Koalafan · 06/06/2025 07:44

MonTuesWeds · 06/06/2025 07:41

Yes they look a bit like boxer shorts

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I was thinking more the long bloomers under a long skirt/dress, but yes they do resemble boxers or jammies even too.

Tattletail · 06/06/2025 07:44

I would personally say to avoid and at the very least to ask him what he thinks of them. Even at 4 he will care how he is viewed by others. It's a struggle to get my 5 year old daughter to wear school trousers, in her eyes they look like boys trousers.

Original poster
Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:44

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 06/06/2025 07:42

I wouldn’t recommend shorts for a 4/5 year old at all. They are too clumsy. Mine only wears his on ridiculously hot days.

You know perfectly well that other boys don’t wear those shorts- you’ll have seen enough kids walking around. You’d have to be blind not to have Don’t use your 5 year old to present a Political/gender argument. He will want to be the same as the other boys.

I’m not trying to make a gender political argument! We’re not particularly progressive as a family. Of course I know other boys don’t wear checked shorts, but maybe it could start?

OP posts:
tuvamoodyson · 06/06/2025 07:44

I think they look like swim shorts.

ClearFruit · 06/06/2025 07:43

Older kids in higher years will take the piss on the playground. Don't dress your Son in girl's clothes for school.

Original poster
Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:42

GooseOnMyGrave · 06/06/2025 07:41

Honestly 4 year olds don’t care. I’m wondering if some posters are thinking of older children.

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I suppose older children could pick on the younger ones at playtime.

OP posts:
Genevieva · 06/06/2025 07:42

MonTuesWeds · 06/06/2025 07:41

Do they though?! Because I bought my child full uniform in line with stated policy only to have to buy a whole other set of shoes and clothing when my child refused to wear uniform because she wanted to fit in with rest of this kids, none of whom wear clothing in line with uniform policy. 🤬

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Tell the school to either align their policy I reality or enforce their policy. Other rude they are wasting parents’ money.

TheyreLikeUsButRichAndThin · 06/06/2025 07:42

Makingitupaswegoalong · 06/06/2025 07:27

I haven’t asked him about it yet and we won’t go shopping until much nearer the time. I think if I presented them both as a straight choice he would probably pick the coloured ones but if I explained all the big boys wear these grey ones he would probably want the grey ones? I don’t know what he would say actually.

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I honestly don’t know why you’re thinking about this yet? Revisit in a year 🤷‍♀️

HotCrossBunplease · 06/06/2025 07:42

TheNightingalesStarling · 06/06/2025 07:38

My 12yo DD is extremely disappointed I've failed to find shorts that meet the school regulations and fit her. (Knee length tailored grey shorts, no adjournments that git a developing girl...)

You could have a go at making some? There are lots of good YouTube videos out there.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 06/06/2025 07:42

I wouldn’t recommend shorts for a 4/5 year old at all. They are too clumsy. Mine only wears his on ridiculously hot days.

You know perfectly well that other boys don’t wear those shorts- you’ll have seen enough kids walking around. You’d have to be blind not to have Don’t use your 5 year old to present a Political/gender argument. He will want to be the same as the other boys.

Sassybooklover · 06/06/2025 07:42

In fact my current First school, some of the girls wear grey shorts because they like playing football, handball and general more physical games, so the parents dress them in the colour that's not going to stain so easily!

Catsfavouritemum · 06/06/2025 07:41

My friend’s DD wears these. She hates the dresses and her mum asked her if she’d prefer to wear grey shorts. She said no because they are the boys’ uniform and then luckily her mum found these. I wouldn’t send a boy to school in these shorts as they are definitely aimed at girls and kids do notice.

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