What do girls wear in sixth form

[HolidayHappy123]

No jeans, sweatpants or hoodies allowed and they must have smart leather shoes.

I know of at least three (not private) near me which do. They ask for business wear for boys and girls I.e. blouse or shirt, smart trousers or skirt and shoes which can be polished.

Helpful!

DD’s school states office wear so she wears Next slim leg trousers and a shirt and jumper. Nike airforce not allowed so started in ballet pumps and switched to loafers in winter

How is that helpful?! All the school 6th forms in my local area have very similar rules.

There should be a 6th form dress code in the school's prospectus. I think school 6th forms are usually more fussy than Colleges, maybe to keep them more in line with the younger years.

Ah that would explain it. State schools don’t have sixth forms where I am, sixth form college is the only option and none of them have dress codes beyond ‘no offensive logos’. I had naively assumed the same was true in school-based sixth forms.

DD wore Tom's Trunks style linen trousers or short skirts with thick tights in winter or summer dresses. Tops were plain jersey or jumpers. This was at a 6th form college.

The suits and smart office wear policies always sound OTT to me as I haven't worn a jacket to work for many, many years as a chartered accountant.

Our school requires "office wear" - suits and ties for boys and at least a blazer and blouse/shirt for girls. DH says they all look like mini estate agents.

Finding a blazer that fits DD (and she finds acceptable) has been a nightmare as she's petite. Ended up with a very standard black one from Amazon (using cropped blazer as the search term).

DDs 6th form was "business wear". It didn't go down well when I pointed out that the rule didn't seem to apply to teachers and other staff who often rocked up in denim jackets and other non-officey outfits.

In general, both boys and girls wore non-jeans trousers with a shirt or jumper. The girls also wore skirts with tights.

My friend’s DC’s sixth-form is like this - they basically have to dress in office clothes, as if they’re going to work. Very different from most sixth-forms where almost ANYTHING goes!!

Pleated tartan skirt, shirt, tweed blazer at our school.

My dd is starting her state schools sixth form in September. It also states ‘business attire’ and she must always wear it at least carry a blazer/suit jacket. Also polish-able shoes, no boots.
I’ve suggested that she look in Next or M&S for suits but she seems to think they’re for older ladies. If anyone has ideas of brands to try I’d be very grateful!

Well you did ask what do girls wear in sixth form, as if there is a general consensus, and then added what the rules are.
Perhaps you should have asked for what she could wear, given those ridiculous rules. I say ridiculous because I think it is stupid that some schools still have an outdated view on what business attire is, and I don't understand why they think sixth-formers should look like they are dressed for the office, when university students aren't expected to.

Assuming this is private

I think it’s bonkers that 6th forms have business dress when 90% of business have ditched this

“Business wear”’is bizarre tho in 2026 as people don’t dress like they did back in the late 90’s when I started work. Everyone wore a suit every day it was expected of us.

I work in a hospital and I have to say it is a lot more casual nowadays - we aren’t meant to wear any denim, trainers or anything with a slogan or logo on it.

People wear black denim and there are LOTS of trainers being worn and the odd slogan is creeping in. Some people are quite scruffy but I try to make an effort but it’s just not as formal as it was 25-30 years ago.

I’ve been at large children’s hospital recently a few times. Lower level staff wear grade related practical uniform. Consultants wear chinos, casuals, trainers, casual trousers, T shirts etc
Im in public & civil service areas and it’s casual except for courts.
Even more formal workplaces are smart casual now

All the local state 6th forms round here, anything goes. I assume no offensive logos but never saw a policy. My dds wore what they wanted. Vast majority of girls were in wide leg jeans or trousers and vest tops while it's been hot. Loose jumpers when it's cooler.

One private 6th form locally is office type wear, one is a version of the school uniform afaik.

I know which I'd prefer my DDs to be wearing to school and it's not the 'business wear'.

Glenalmond?

Two local state schools with sixth forms - both have the same uniform as the rest of the school, although at one I think the sixth form has different coloured jumpers.

Sixth form college is anything goes as far as I can see although some courses seem to have particular expectations, presumably to do with practicality and safety.

Yes indeed !
The Ally McBeal lot look ridiculous.

DD was in a mixed 6th form attached to a boys' school - strict business dress, boys have to wear ties but most wore jumpers with a shirt and dress trousers.

Girls - think of office wear before Covid. Smart skirt/shirt/jumper combinations or with ladies suit trousers. No jackets luckily.
Smart shoes, could be boots but no sandals.
She stocked up at Next for basics with some items from H&M and New Look.

Minimal make up and jewellery, natural hair colour. I found it positive that the teaching staff also wore this.

Must be a huge 6th form if sending 100’s a year to RG unis and dozens to oxbridge

My DC only had about 50 in 6th form each year at most - they had a 6th form uniform which made like so much easier

Many 6th Form Colleges have a couple of 1000 students.