Shall I be cross with Next, school or myself? or all 3?

[boschy]

DD2 is very nearly 13, incredibly tall for her age and skinny as a rake. Getting clothes, and particularly school clothes, to fit is a nightmare.

So, she found some black trousers in Next Schoolwear department online which we agreed would do - plain, no logos, specifically marketed as 'school wear'.

They finally arrived on Weds, and are surprisingly attractive for schoolwear (so much so that I was a bit taken aback). She wore them to school on Thurs, no problems. This morning she has been pulled out of assembly and told they are not suitable.

Now, admittedly they are 'skinny fit' - they fit her perfectly, but they are a bit drainpipe-y (is that a word?). At a distance you could think they were jeans, except they dont have jeans style pockets or studs, and are not made of denim but some kind of (actually quite nice) polyester or something.

So, are Next wrong to sell 'schoolwear' which is too 'trendy' for want of a better word, are school wrong in challenging something which IS actually schoolwear, or should I have taken one look and sent them straight back??

(I shall be annoyed if it's the last one, as it has taken nearly 8 weeks to get these bloody ones delivered - and of course she's taken all the labels off as they fit so well...)

I hate the 'if you choose to send your child to a school' line of argument. It's based on the false premise that people have any real or meaningful choice over where they get a place at a state school.

I'd blame the school, not Next. If they are going to be fussy about uniform then they should make this clear in their uniform policy.

Those trousers do have jeans-style details - the pockets, top-stitching, contrast buttons. I reckon it's a fair cop, sorry.

Agree that you need to clarify with the school exactly what is appropriate.

As to the trousers' suitability - I would have thought your suprised reaction was enough to imply that they were not suitable

Most people don't have much meaningful choice. I agree. Especially when a school introduces a ridiculously restrictive expensive uniform that you have to buy through them, but hey, you "chose" the school.

But, crucially, they are not jeans, which is what the school specified.

That's as may be Damsel but at the end of the day, parents and pupils can't go picking and choosing which rules they'd like to stick to and which they'd like to break.

School should be the one place where every child can dress 'safe' in the knowledge that they look like everyone else...despite being poorer or richer than their peers.

A lot of bullying comes from the clothes kids wear and schools try to stamp that out and equalise things.

Depends on what your definition of "jeans" is. If they were made of denim they would be jeans. They look like jeans in style and cut. They are just made of a different material.

Most of the reviews say they are buying these as school trousers.
There are a handful of reviewers who say they are not accepted at their DD school.
They must want 'squeak squeak rustle rustle' thrush inducing crimpolene slacks

"Why would a 13yr old girl be wearing 'incredibly short, tight skirts' to school?"
in answer to this, she has outgrown them and we have not yet found a suitable compromise on new ones.

Oh god, I will just have to wait for more info; at least she really likes them so can wear them at weekends if they are shock horror totally unsuitable for school. Annoying though as I dont want to shell out for more clothes at the moment.

Look perfectly decent to me too!

I just don't think school uniform is that important.

As for jeans, I'd put 'made of denim' as a key characteristic of jeans.

From the link above, our school would say they are unsuitable.

Those are the trousers DD has asked me to buy, I was a bit because they look too casual to me.
Her school are not strict on uniform though, skinny trousers, black trainers, dyed hair, obvious make-up and 'fat knot' ties are all part of the unofficial uniform though the rules clearly state otherwise.
I wish they would get strict actually, or abandon the rules, I can't see the point of having them if they are not enforcing them.

Damsel must disagree. Uniform is very integral to the overall disciple and ethos of school for students IMO

disciple...discipline

My eldest now goes to High School and the rules are really strict, really very strict indeed. But I like that tbh.

For ease of life, save these trousers for casual wear and get a dullard pair for school.

Pinot !!!!!

Brings back vile memories of secondary school and heavy handed uniform policy!

FWIW I think the trousers are fine, and much better than the pelmets you usually see. If the school has a strict uniform policy (ours used to have a list of 'approved' retailers - state school as well) and this is made clear, then I guess you might have to replace them. If not, they're fine and the school can't complain.

I was the opposite from your DD, ridiculously, embarrassingly 'developed' and curvy, but I had the same problems with the fit of uniform so I feel her pain! Teenagers are different shapes and sizes and one size / style / does not fit all. I spent most of my secondary years feeling like a fat lump due to crappy uniform policy.

I know a lot of uniform policies state 'no jeans or jeans style trousers'...don't know about the OP's DDs school though obviously.

On another note though, it's so noticable nowadays that we no longer buy uniforms and immediately start sewing them to fit our kids.

Years ago that was totally common place...but I hate sewing and wonderweb is my friend

daprincess I feel your pain too - DH and I are both built like weebles, so god knows where DD2 gets it from! DD1 more of the curvy variety but not (thank god) a weeble!

The school needs to make it clear what trousers are acceptable. My daughter's school has a choice of 2 skirts, or three styles of trousers. This is so much simpler than having to interpret a "dress code". Perhaps you could suggest this to the school.

Hey Exit how are you mate? Kittens (cats? 11 months now!!) are getting all grown-up

I like ds having a uniform even though it is stupidly expensive. They are VERY strict even with hairstyles and kids will be taught in isolation until the hair is sorted out and cut into a suitable style.

our school lines up the girls and makes them bend down and if seen unsuitable are sent home !! and if not wearing black socks ! Can be a pain but agree Pinot I like it as well. It is character building !![My dad's words have no idea what it means !!]