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Original poster

What to wear when touring a fee-paying school?

39 replies

MamaMeBe · 26/06/2022 06:49

Smart casual I guess?

I don’t own any heels so are pumps or sandals acceptable with a knee-length dress/linen trousers?

Completely new to this & don’t wish to offend.

OP posts:
Phos · 26/06/2022 07:47

The school my daughter attends doesn’t do open days/evenings. They don’t need to. But prospective parents can call and request a tour which is done on a 1-1 basis. I went twice. The first time I wore a jumper and jeans with trainers and the second time it was red hot so we were both in shorts and t-shirts. No one really cares what you’re wearing.

Igmum · 26/06/2022 07:43

I recommend clothes. Children will be present and nudity may attract attention Grin. Seriously though smart casual is fine - I veered towards the smarter end for DD's actual interview but have been pretty relaxed for everything else. I don't think your clothes will be part of their judgment about your child (unless Eton!).

BanjoVio · 26/06/2022 07:38

We’ve just had our open day (fee paying school) and parents wore anything and everything, though the most common was jeans/tailored shorts and a jumper. If anyone was dressed up, I sort of assumed they’d come straight from work. Don’t overthink it.

brown543 · 26/06/2022 07:38

Jeans and a top. If it puts your mind at ease, we have quite a stuffy and formal speech day. One parent wore shorts and a T-shirt.

Other than the more formal school events, people really don't dress up at all. Jeans are fine.

WalkerWalking · 26/06/2022 07:36

Wear whatever you want. We're not taking notes.

Hadalifeonce · 26/06/2022 07:34

As the parent of existing pupils, I would sometimes attend these open days to be able to give a parent view. Believe me, some people turned up looking like they were going to a film premier, some like they had been working under a car. Nobody cared how people were dressed. The school just wants your money at the end of the day, and they have no idea how rich or poor anyone is by their dress.

ErrolTheDragon · 26/06/2022 07:30

Anything you want that's clean and not scruffy. While private schools may be more or less selective based on the child's academic or other performance, it's worth remembering that you're a potential customer who may be spending a huge amount of money with them.

MissMarpleRocks · 26/06/2022 07:30

Every school I went to I wore jeans, top & blazer. Was probably overdressed with the blazer tbh. No one will care or remember what you wore - honestly.

Original poster
MamaMeBe · 26/06/2022 07:26

Love you lot! Thankyou! ⭐️ If ever there was an unwritten rule of a dress code, it would most definitely be me that would discover it!! 🙈

OP posts:
Herejustforthisone · 26/06/2022 07:18

I wore my gym stuff. Because I’d just come from the gym.

Onceuponatimethen · 26/06/2022 06:57

@MamaMeBe Absolutely fine. I usually wear what I’ve got planned for work so business casual or if it’s not a working day something exactly like you’ve said.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 26/06/2022 06:56

Wear what you want to wear. Don’t go all dressed up.

peoniesarejustperfect · 26/06/2022 06:56

Either of those sound great. I wouldn’t wear heels as there may be quite a lot of walking and standing around - then again I’m not good in heels!

you’ll probably find people in lots of different things, but most will have made a bit of effort and wearing something similar to what you describe. No one will be judging you unless you’re in a disco diva outfit!

hope your tour goes well. 😀

BookShark · 26/06/2022 06:54

I wore jeans, hoodie and trainers to visit DS's fee paying school. 🤷‍♀️

Is it an Open Day? If so, there will be so many families, nobody will remember you anyway!