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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy my son a cardigan for his school uniform

291 replies

clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 14:17

I was asking some friends about this last night and was surprised at the strength of some reactions so I thought I'd ask the Mumsnet jury.
My son is 4 and due to start full-time school in September. i have started to think about which bits of uniform to start getting him and thought I might look around for a boy's cardigan for him. In my head this is not that different to the hooded cardigan things he wears now, it just wont have a hood. It would be easy for him to get on and off, and might look quite cute.
Anyway there were lots of raised eyebrows when I suggested this last night.
Would you buy one (actually this would be tricky as no-one seems to sell them, but in principle...?)

OP posts:
lurkermclurkerson · 28/06/2012 15:28

Both my boys wear cardis in P1 and P3 and don't get ridiculed! They look cool. H&M does fab affordable boys cardis for school

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:29

My ds wore a cardi to primary school as did lots of other boys.

Sputnik · 28/06/2012 15:34

I got one in the boy's section of zara last year. No problem with DS (reception) wearing it.

Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:04

Thanks all, I am reassured that, although unusual, it is not actually "weird".

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drjohnsonscat · 28/06/2012 16:08

my son will be wearing cardis to school as part of the uniform because that's what he's got handed down from his sister. Also easier to manage off and on and it has a pocket.

He will be 4 next year - not sure how manly anyone is expecting him to be Confused

KatieScarlett2833 · 28/06/2012 16:09

Boys wear v neck jumpers here, from M&S.

seeker · 28/06/2012 16:12

Or you could just get him the right school uniform? Just a thought.

ophelia275 · 28/06/2012 16:12

Oh, are cardigans another item of clothing that are no longer deemed suitable for boys [rolls eyes smiley].

Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:12

Smile at KatieScarlett, what happens if they wear one from, whispers, Tescos!!!

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Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:14

Seeker, there's no distinction in the uniform policy between boys and girls. Just checking DD's planner it says "sweatshirt, jumper, fleece or cardigan: plain red, black or navy"

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Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:16

You may have mistaken me for a flighty sort seeker - as an ex-teacher and governor of their school I am a big supporter of uniform (but equally a supporter of free expression within the confines of it!)

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TheCunningStunt · 28/06/2012 16:17

My DS wears one. School is relaxed about uniform really. We are in Scotland. He wears a cardigan, or a tank top or a jumper. Depends on what he wants to wear. And real shirts. Polo shorts are allowed but I don't like themBlush. He also wears cardigans out of school too. They are not gender specific. He is 5 btw

Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:18

I am a fan of a real shirt...

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Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:21

Cunning, where do you get yours from?

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DilysPrice · 28/06/2012 16:22

Our school uniform is logo'd sweatshirt or cardigan in sweatshirt fabric. Only one boy in the whole year has ever worn the cardigan (he looks adorable in a nerdy sort of way) so it's a long way outside the norm. I think it will be fine in reception, but might get him teased in Y2/3. And no, just because it's a diverse school and several kids are in hijab/yarmulkas/dreadlocks that does not mean that a boy wouldn't get teased for wearing "girl" clothes.

GladbagsAndYourHandrags · 28/06/2012 16:24

I don't see why a boy wouldn't/shouldn't wear a cardigan. DD in reception wears 'boys' shorts to school. She is the only girl who does but she hasn't been teased. I don't think the children care what each other wears. (And for the record, I also like real shirts.)

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 16:33

you must surely be able to find a plain cardigan. just look in the "girls" uniform section

Nagoo · 28/06/2012 16:34

My DS decided he was going to wear a 'smart cardigan' for school. It is grey. We got it from Matalan last year as 'partywear' but he chooses to wear it whenever it is clean. If it were up to him he would wear a tie and waistcoat. Grin

Nagoo · 28/06/2012 16:35

He's in reception BTW. And there is no strict uniform.

takingiteasy · 28/06/2012 16:38

I'm considering Cardi's for ds who is 6 next year. His head is on the large side and he struggles with the logo'd jumpers. I also adore tank tops!

KatieScarlett2833 · 28/06/2012 16:52

I wouldn't know clem

DS is most insistent that his jumpers ONLY come from M&S

He is now 15, been like this since he was 5....

DontCallMeBaby · 28/06/2012 16:52

Most school cardies are pretty unisex - DD has had one with a frill the the bottom, the the rest have been just, well, cardigans. M&S has zip-up fleeces in the uniform dept.

As for teasing - DD is 8 and despite recent bikini-comparison conversations has yet to complain about being in the 'wrong' uniform.

Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:57

Loads of my male friends wear cardigans. They don't seem to be girls...

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 28/06/2012 16:58

Are they under 50?

Original poster
clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 16:58

Grin KatieScarlett and Grin Nagoo.

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