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Original poster

I know I can't complain really but it's so annoying.... school asked for fancy dress for the children and nobody really bothered except us.

57 replies

YourVagesty · 21/09/2026 17:30

So my son's school had a Wales themed day the other day (we live in Wales) and the school asked that children dress up in related fancy dress (dragons, Welsh ladies, daffodils etc).

I dressed my five year old son up as a dragon and was HORRIFIED when I put him on the bus because most other kids were just in Wales sports tops. Total zero effort from the other parents.

I know I don't have the right to moan because I know not everybody can afford to buy a costume, or they don't have the time to make one. But I'm really pissed off at the lack of effort. I feel bad that I followed the instructions and basically made my son the odd one out for the day.

I'm not sure what my point is, I'm just being annoyed out loud I suppose. My son has only just started at that school and I wanted things to go smoothly and that has really upset me.

Arghhhhhh!

OP posts:
Original poster
YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:24

LetMeGoogleThat · Yesterday 09:52

The dreaded dressing up days! And there were so many of them, and multipled by 2! I would have been that parent that you're disappointed in, late notice, juggling work and tbf after around 5yrs old also tends to be a battle with the child too. World Book day is the worst, I always felt is was never about the kids! Just the teachers and the already perfect, often SAHM ones living vicariously through their children that enjoyed it.

I know. I was surprised that there was one just two bloody weeks in! I hope it's not a sign of things to come.

OP posts:
Original poster
YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:25

PassThePeaceAndQuiet · 21/09/2026 19:08

Also, don't get discouraged OP, Wales and an a sports shirt is an easy and logical connection. Kids were probably happy and parents relieved.

They might be better on book day or belonging day or whatever they have. Our school had some good ones for belonging day. Lots of Polish dresses and Punjabi pajamas and scout uniforms. Meanwhile American me doesn't have good traditional dress but our son does have four citizenships at home- dark blue jumper and four iron on flag patches. Was it lazy? Was it reflective? Who knows. He liked it, could explain it, and I can't sew a button so it worked for us.

It's early in the school year. Give the other parents a chance. And see how your son feels- he might love that he's got something different, he might not.

Thanks! This is a good perspective and helps me feel less like I've made my son a target. I appreciate your comments. 🙏🏻

OP posts:
RancidRuby · Yesterday 11:26

YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:22

Where did I say I went above and beyond? I bought a cheap dragon outfit on Amazon. I thought I'd put minimum effort in tbh, didn't realise the bar was even lower than that.

Lesson learned!

Thanks to everybody who has been nice - this isn't about me, it's about my son not standing out for the wrong reasons. Most of you get that.

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Did your son say he felt like he stood out and would rather make less effort?

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Original poster
YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:26

MonteStory · Yesterday 06:05

But you’re considering complaining to the school because other parents don’t engage with it? You’re saying incredibly conflicting things.

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Nope. I'd rather have no dress up days if take-up is low.

OP posts:
RancidRuby · Yesterday 11:29

YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:26

Nope. I'd rather have no dress up days if take-up is low.

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Did your son enjoy getting dressed up? If he did, then what difference does it make to him (you) what the other kids do?

Etincelle · Yesterday 11:33

YourVagesty · Yesterday 11:23

There's got to be a WhatsApp group for my son's class. I'll find out, seems like it's really useful for a lot of people on here.

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If there is one they probably checked what the others were wearing and agreed on Wales top

Maisymouse2 · Yesterday 11:36

Was he happy with the costume.
Nah who cares dont we all forgrt ehats going on or not be overly concerned not to be following along.
I loathe dressup days as our city has a shitty amount of shops so was great when they were toddlers for the usual themed costumes.
Who cares.
Rather pay for nice food for lunches personally

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