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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:43

the OP said in her very first post that she thought a cardigan would be easier for him to get on and off.

that's why

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 28/06/2012 22:43

But what do cardigans have over jumpers, apart from not being what most people wear?

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 28/06/2012 22:44

But that is silly, nothing is easier to get on and off than a jumper!

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:45

i'm not being silly.

cardigans are pretty popular for young boys now. saw tons of them in next t'other day.

there's really no reason at all why a 4 year old shouldn't wear a cardigan to school, especially one like clemette has linked to.

as I said earlier, quite a few boys at ds1's school wear cardigans and they are bottle green v-neck jobs!
as far as i'm aware none of them have been picked on at all, because it's just clothes

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:46

well i think the op knows better than us whether or not her own child would struggle more with a jumper or cardigan.

my 3 year old can get a cardigan/coat on but he struggles to pull a jumper over his head. maybe op's son is the same?

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 28/06/2012 22:46

Well, if it were me, I'd at least wait until half term.

5madthings · 28/06/2012 22:47

i cant see a problem with it, some of the boys at my kids primary wear cardigans and it sounds like your school has a nice relaxed uniform policy which is great. :)

anyway he will need more than one cardigan/jumper so you can get him one of each and he can choose, fwiw i like the link you put up and my ds1 had a cardigan like that from m&s years ago, it has been handed down through all my boys and is now on ds4! it was even worn by my ds3 who likes to wear the odd dress or fairy outfit on occasion, even to school and he hasnt had a problem with being 'different', i wonder actually about the schools some people send their kids to if they think bullying is that much of a problem that a child cant do anything a bit different or they wil be picked on/made miserable etc. i am pleased my boys school doesnt have that problem!

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:49

look Next even has a "cardigans and sweaters" section for boys.

Disappearing · 28/06/2012 22:49

I spotted this boys cardi I think it's quite dapper, obv not school uniform-y though. It's massively reduced in the sale though which makes me think not many people are buying them.

I was wondering about boys wearing cardigans, as my eldest DC is a girl, with younger brother, so for hand-me-downs it would be useful if he could wear a cardigan, we have loads! At the mo he does enjoy dressing up in big sis's clothes, his choice not mine!

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:50

i like this one ds3 had a similar one from jojo maman bebe and wore it tons

Nagoo · 28/06/2012 22:51

I didn't know that DS was such a maverick Yes, he's the only boy in a cardigan, but he does love his cardigan.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 28/06/2012 22:51

I am just bemused by the keenness on cardigans: I put my girls in jumpers fwiw! Given the post about 'alpha' dd, I do think OP is trying to be a bit cool and that shouldn't be her decision, but her son's.

Original poster

clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 22:53

"alpha" is not a compliment!

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 22:53

but don't we all choose our children's clothes generally?
i know i do. and she has said her son doesn't care if he wears a jumper or a cardigan, so it makes sense to buy whatever she thinks he will manage easiest?

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 28/06/2012 22:58

I think actually the only thing of any validity here is whether many boys in the current reception class wear cardigans. We can all post about our liberal or conservative primary schools, but what matters is the school he is going to, and I would go by that.

Original poster

clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 23:04

5madthings, it does seem odd that some people think the answer to bullying/teasing is "don't stand out in any way."

at thisisyesterday

OP posts:

5madthings · 28/06/2012 23:17

ooh thisisyesterday there are some cute cardigans in next at mo, my ds4 has a big head and really struggles with jumpers so may get him some cardigans, he only has the one that has been handed down from his brothers!

and yes clemette it does make you wonder doesnt it, that we shouldnt let our children do anything a bit different incase they get bullied, its quite sad actually.

seeker · 28/06/2012 23:34

"and yes clemette it does make you wonder doesnt it, that we shouldnt let our children do anything a bit different incase they get bullied, its quite sad actually."

Well, if anyone had said anything of the sort, then it would be sad!

seeker · 28/06/2012 23:35

There is a bit difference between "letting" a child do something different, and "making" a child do something different.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 28/06/2012 23:39

I can Hand on Heart say my DS (who is now 12 yo) would not be seen dead in a cardigan.
Or a tank top.

I can just imagine his views on the matter.

Original poster

clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 23:42

As I've said seeker, I am grateful for your input but don't agree with your take on this. The cardigan is bought and as you can see it just looks like any "normal" boy's cardigan. In fact it is very similar to a number he has now except they have hoods on. So, in the course of this I have bought a cardi, three V neck jumpers and a tank top. Add this to his -gasp- sister's hand me down fleece and he is all set.

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2012 23:43

she isn't "making" him do anytthing.
she asked if he'd like a cardigan, he said he didn't care.

i am pretty sure that if he comes home saying "i really don't want to wear it, i'd like a jumper like everyone else" then clemette will let him have one. let's not assume that she is forcing him to wear a cardigan simply because she wants to regardless of his feelings on the matter

Original poster

clemetteattlee · 28/06/2012 23:47

I may tell him it's a "Jedi jacket"; then he won't care what anyone thinks anyway

OP posts:

seeker · 28/06/2012 23:53

Why "gasp" to sister's hand me down fleece?

Original poster

clemetteattlee · 29/06/2012 00:25

If people are worried about him wearing an item of boy's clothing how on Earth will they cope with him wearing a fleece with Hello Kitty embroidered onto an inside pocket (I will try to unpick this but if I can't he's always got his new cardigan...)

OP posts:

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