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Original poster

DD hates wearing polo shirts for school - any ideas?

29 replies

INeedNewShoes · 11/10/2021 11:00

It would be fair to say that DD doesn't love school. Some of what she doesn't like is beyond my control but a consistent issue every morning is that she really does not like having to wear a polo shirt. I thought it might be the material so bought her some more traditional-style school blouses but she doesn't like those either.

Has anyone else had this issue and is it worth persevering or are there alternatives that would be worth a try?

She doesn't have sensitive skin so I don't think that's the issue.

OP posts:
Changethetoner · 11/10/2021 11:02

What age is she? Explain that the school uniform is compulsory and must be worn - the choice is polo shirt or blouse - end of.

Millipedewithherfeetup · 11/10/2021 11:02

What age is your dd ? And what is the school uniform policy?

Marcipex · 11/10/2021 11:03

Is it because they are too see through?

BIoodyStupidJohnson · 11/10/2021 11:04

Is it the uniform itself, or is it that the uniform is representative of the aspect of school that she doesn't like? A symbol of it, or a psychological trigger.

Stompythedinosaur · 11/10/2021 11:18

What doesn't she like about them? My dd2 had some sensory issues which were helped by me sewing darts into the cuffs so they weren't tight and lining the seams that were uncomfortable to her.

Stompythedinosaur · 11/10/2021 11:19

She was also much better in tops that were a couple of sizes big, so that might be worth trying too.

PineappleWilson · 11/10/2021 11:22

What does she say the problem is? Is it that they remind her of school? Could she wear checked summer dresses year round with a jumper over the top?

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 11/10/2021 11:23

She doesn’t like school
And is floundering for specifics

Forget this issue
Focus on the big one

user1471443411 · 11/10/2021 11:25

Asda do polo shirts in white or light blue that are made of t shirt material, my daughter found these more comfy (other places might do them as well now), that normal polo shirt material is quite itchy, don't know why so many schools choose it as a uniform.
direct.asda.com/george/school/girls-school-polo-shirts/girls-light-blue-ruffle-school-polo-shirt-2-pack/GEM804747,default,pd.html?cgid=D10M2G1C2
had a quick look but nearly out of stock, you could keep an eye out for anything similar though

lljkk · 11/10/2021 11:27

@Reallyimeanreally2022

She doesn’t like school And is floundering for specifics

Forget this issue
Focus on the big one

That, sorry...

DS moaned about sock seams. I gave him a chocolate button for getting his socks on. Within a week socks were no longer an issue & chocolate buttons no longer required, but other school issues persisted because he just wasn't happy there.

bettertimesarecomingnow · 11/10/2021 11:42

Could she wear a plain white T-shirt? Or is school strict?

Lots of kids I see here just wear something plain white

Generallystruggling · 11/10/2021 11:45

Unless she has SEN and this is a sensory issue, she’s just making up a random excuse because she doesn’t like school. The bigger issue is the fact she isn’t happy at school, you need to resolve that and ignore the smaller complaint about polo shirts.

BananaPB · 11/10/2021 11:49

Does she wear a vest or similar underneath ?

Original poster
INeedNewShoes · 11/10/2021 12:10

Wow - lots of responses! Thank you

DD is 4. I asked her this morning what the issue is and didn't really get an answer. I suggested wearing a vest underneath it and she didn't think that would help. She said she wanted to wear the pinafore dress without anything underneath.

Cuffs are definitely not too tight as she's quite skinny so nothing is snug on her.

The school uniform specifies a polo shirt. I could ask them if a white top without a collar would be acceptable but as suggested by a few posters here I don't want to pander to changing her clothes if actually she is just using getting dressed in the morning to express her dislike for school.

The bigger issue is the fact she isn’t happy at school, you need to resolve that and ignore the smaller complaint about polo shirts.

Well, yes, I agree and suspect this may be the case, but people keep telling me it's normal for reception kids to have a wobble when they realise that it's 5 days a week for the foreseeable future...

I have spoken to the teacher about one specific issue DD has with being at school and I trust that they're doing what they can with that.

OP posts:
Marcipex · 11/10/2021 12:52

If she’s only 4, I would guess that she just isn’t settled at school yet.
As other have said, look at the bigger picture. Does she have a friendship group or might she need support with that ?
Once she has a friend or little group of friends, stress that they all have the same tops ( but make sure that is actually the case)

Marcipex · 11/10/2021 12:56

Also, it’s perfectly normal to not be settled in yet!
And many 4 year olds cannot clearly express or verbalise what is worrying them. That’s normal too.

Hoppinggreen · 11/10/2021 13:02

I seem to remember DD having dresses that were a polo top in tshirt material and the skirt attached.
I think they were from Sainsburys

MrMrsJones · 11/10/2021 13:05

If she is 4 then school uniform can't be enforced...well unless it's private

Only senior schools can 🤷‍♀️

So either she goes in uniform or send her in something else

TheLongDrop · 11/10/2021 13:08

Maybe it's too uncomfortable with all the layers. Does she have tights too?

I'd say skirt and loose polo shirt might be better if allowed.

Viviennemary · 11/10/2021 13:14

Thd point is that all through her life she might have to do things she would rather not. But at 4 she's a bit too young. I'd say it could be a bigger issue and she doesn't like school and associates the clothes with going to school. But it could be simpler in that she is just too hot with top and then pinafore.

Original poster
INeedNewShoes · 11/10/2021 13:18

*Maybe it's too uncomfortable with all the layers. Does she have tights too?

I'd say skirt and loose polo shirt might be better if allowed.*

This could be a factor as she has told me she'd rather have cold legs than wear tights. (Although at weekends she chooses her own clothes and will often layer a t shirt over long sleeved top so she's used to layering her tops).

We have a bit of an issue with skirts in that she can't keep them up without pulling the adjusters in so much that they then bunch and are irritating. Skirts she has that fit her reasonably on her waist now are age 2–3 and starting to look very short which is fine the rest of the time but probably not ok for school.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 11/10/2021 13:21

Can she wear a plain white t shirt underneath?

DownWhichOfLate · 11/10/2021 13:22

If she will happily go in to school in other clothing then do that. It’s more important she goes in whilst being comfortable than refuses or goes in very unhappily. It could be SEN.

ineedaholidayandwine · 11/10/2021 13:26

Are they strict on the uniform policy? At my daughters school a lot wear a white long sleeve t shirt under the pinafore dresses, they tend to be softer and lighter.
She's y1 and lots of the girls are still against tights, maybe an age thing, they wear knee socks instead and maybe shorts under the dress