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Original poster

AIBU to think the new sixth form outfit looks like something from "The Handmaid'sTale"

366 replies

joanjett · 03/09/2026 08:58

I am surprised the school did not add a cloak and a "chastity bonnet"

AIBU to think the new sixth form outfit looks like something from "The Handmaid'sTale"
OP posts:
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PixieFairySprite · 03/09/2026 09:37

Those long skirts were in fashion at school during the 80's for a while. Mine had a single large pleat in the front. I like it.

I think this is all to fit into the dark academia style that seems to have appeared in every clothes shop window in the last week.

Spiffingdarling88 · 03/09/2026 09:35

One way to stop the boys dressing as girls. 😆

Itsnouse · 03/09/2026 09:34

I saw a documentary about a boarding school where the uniform was a long skirt. The girls said they loved it because they could wear their PJs underneath.

CaptainCalm · 03/09/2026 09:33

My kids go to a school where the uniform for girls is a long full skirt. The girls love it, voted to keep it, they wear PJ bottoms underneath in winter for extra warmth 😄

TemperanceWest · 03/09/2026 09:33

joanjett · 03/09/2026 09:30

I don't know if mods will allow but it is in bristol

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Of course the mods will allow, it is not breaking any Talk guidelines! So please tell us.

EBearhug · 03/09/2026 09:32

It seems fairly common for private schools. It's school uniform- It's not meant to be high fashion.

A lot of girls at my '80s secondary school wore long skirts. I didn't so much- I cycled everywhere, and if I was in a skirt (for my Saturday job,) I tucked it up into my knickers - classy, but I learnt from the time my skirt got caught in the chain.

oviraptor21 · 03/09/2026 09:32

Seeline · 03/09/2026 09:26

I used to cycle to school every day - not sure that outfit would work. And it would have been horrible in the rain!

I can and did cycle in skirts like that. You just hitch the flappy bits under your bum. What you can't cycle in is any tight skirt and especially a tight skirt that's above your knees.

Rondayvu · 03/09/2026 09:32

Are there pockets though?

friedaklein · 03/09/2026 09:31

No trouser option?😮
Can I just say I come from a modest culture- neither Muslim or Jewish- and I often want to obliterate the concept of modesty which has done women so much fucking harm. I would rather a bum grazer than this.

Thesillysocks · 03/09/2026 09:31

It is quite stylish to be fair

DancingOctopus · 03/09/2026 09:31

We had to wear uniform in the sixth form. At the time, long skirts were very fashionable ( different to as pictured). We used to get told off for our skirts being " too long"!

oviraptor21 · 03/09/2026 09:30

friedaklein · 03/09/2026 09:24

Surely there is middle ground between bum grazers and Edwardian lady.

True. But in the context of where school skirts currently sit, I entirely support this attempt to get the girls in something more practical and, yes ... modest.
I can't really tell what weight the fabric is, hopefully not too heavy.

Original poster
joanjett · 03/09/2026 09:30

TemperanceWest · 03/09/2026 09:28

Are you going to tell us which school?

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I don't know if mods will allow but it is in bristol

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 03/09/2026 09:29

ImWearingPantaloons · 03/09/2026 09:27

Don’t know about the Handmaids Tale but as some one who is just over five foot, I’m exceptionally glad that wasn’t MY sixth form uniform.

I’d be all skirt….

That was my thought but to be fair at my child's school (normal skirt) they do have at least 3 different lengths in the skirts, which I was quite happy about. For short/tall people

TemperanceWest · 03/09/2026 09:28

joanjett · 03/09/2026 09:27

Its a private school with little to no muslim school population.
No trouser option
its this Amish outfit only

Show quote history

Are you going to tell us which school?

Favouritefruits · 03/09/2026 09:28

Oh how the other half live! The local sixth near me has a uniform of a ‘fruit of the loom’ t-shirt and any black bottoms!

Original poster
joanjett · 03/09/2026 09:28

friedaklein · 03/09/2026 09:20

Why is the skirt so fucking long?

Modesty????

OP posts:
ImWearingPantaloons · 03/09/2026 09:27

Don’t know about the Handmaids Tale but as some one who is just over five foot, I’m exceptionally glad that wasn’t MY sixth form uniform.

I’d be all skirt….

Original poster
joanjett · 03/09/2026 09:27

Stumblingalongthroughlife · 03/09/2026 09:03

Presumably there is a trouser option though if you don't like the skirt. If you're in an area with large populations who dress modestly for religious reasons (orthodox Jews, Muslims) I can see why this was brought in.

Its a private school with little to no muslim school population.
No trouser option
its this Amish outfit only

OP posts:
Seeline · 03/09/2026 09:26

I used to cycle to school every day - not sure that outfit would work. And it would have been horrible in the rain!

MissyB1 · 03/09/2026 09:25

Very normal for the 6th forms in our town. My ds 6th form has basically that uniform for the girls or they can wear trousers and blazer. The boys wear smart suits sirt and tie.

friedaklein · 03/09/2026 09:24

Surely there is middle ground between bum grazers and Edwardian lady.

oviraptor21 · 03/09/2026 09:24

HeboreoMaltian · 03/09/2026 09:19

Awful. Part of the creeping normalisation of 'modesty' for women 😡

Better than the prevalent "let's see how much we can show and get away with"?

oviraptor21 · 03/09/2026 09:24

OfficiallyOnVacation · 03/09/2026 09:15

That’s hideous. Imagine if you’re a big lass with a huge behind, that outfit is going to make you look massive!

And a bum grazer skirt isn't?

growinguptobreakingdown · 03/09/2026 09:23

I got sent home from school in year 11 (then called year 5) for my skirt being too LONG in 1988 (goth).I'd have loved this.

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