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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that school uniform manufacturers need to make longer skirts?

47 replies

Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 11:32

Dd lost one of her school skirts. It's a school specific design available from a local shop.

The skirt she wore at her old school was a 24 inch waist 20 inch length. She's grown a bit since then so I wanted a 22 inch length

They only make 24 waists in 18 length and 26 waists in 18 or 20 length. Except they only had 18 length in stock so they would have to put in a special order

I ordered first week of Jan, it finally came in at Easter.

It's still way too short but I can't subject poor dd to wearing a 30 inch waist skirt.

Granted the school haven't said anything to any if the girls but the regulations state knee length.

The school ds will be going to the girls skirts are sold directly via the manufacturers website there is a 48 hr turnaround & they are available in a variety of lengths so it can be done.

OP posts:
Stinklebell · 30/04/2014 11:50

I have this issue with my daughter. She's tall but very slim, with very long legs and a short body.

The length of school skirt that goes with her waist size is very short on her, the next size up is an ok length (if still a little on the short side) but the waistband isn't adjustable so it falls down. Because it's pleated, taking the waistband in is way beyond my sewing for dummies skills

She wears trousers Grin

SantanaLopez · 30/04/2014 11:52

Longer skirts for teenage girls? Are you mad woman? Grin

Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 12:04

Trousers arnt allowed for girls at dds school but at least the waistbands are adjustable.

OP posts:
Raxacoricofallapatorius · 30/04/2014 12:09

Dd has to either wear a massively too big skirt which falls down or risk flashing her knickers every time she leans even slightly forwards. We buy culottes now.

Nocomet · 30/04/2014 12:26

Why?
It just means they have more fabric to roll over at the top.

Your OP should read why are teachers so obsessed with teen girls legs?

Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 12:30

Dd does not like her skirt so short & she hates having to pull the waist in so much.

No teacher has ever commented on her legs in he academic uniform, it's just the skirts are not in proporti

OP posts:
Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 12:31

And she's not a teen yet.

OP posts:
TequilaMockingbirdy · 30/04/2014 12:31

I hate this 'trousers aren't allowed' business. Absolute rubbish that rule.

MyrtleDove · 30/04/2014 12:39

Pictures I don't get how banning trousers for girls is even allowable. They must be freezing in winter.

Stinklebell · 30/04/2014 12:41

My DD's skirt was knicker flashing short.

The next size up wasn't too bad length wise (in at least it would save her having to roll it up) but it was too big round the waist and fell down.

School insist on knee length and they're strict on it but how can you insist on a length if you don't take into account different sizes/heights of children when supplying the uniform?

Fortunately, they allow trousers

MigGril · 30/04/2014 12:45

Even in primary the skirts seem to short. DD is only 6 years old she's in an 8 year old skirts as she's tall, at least the waits are adjustable at this age. She's also allowed trousers but we have the same problem with leg length.

Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 12:50

Not with tights.

A lot of the time they go to & from school in their track suits anyway (with just a thin leotard underneath) & change into normal uniform after dance (depending on the timetable.)

The majority of girls at dds school are fairly slim (though dd at around 5ft at age 12) is one of the taller girls.

OP posts:
Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/04/2014 12:51

I guess trousers arnt actually banned (lol) they are just not part of the specified uniform.

OP posts:
5Foot5 · 30/04/2014 12:56

We used to have exactly the same problem with DDs uniform skirt. School rules said that the skirt (again a special school design) had to be knee length. However, as DD is quite slim the skirt which did actually reach to her knees would have been so big on the waist it would probably have ended up around her ankles! Not exactly helping her personal modesty.

She never actually got a warning from school about the length of her skirt but I was prepared to argue the case.

missymarmite · 30/04/2014 18:53

Both DSD's school and the one where I work have ridiculously short skirts. It's not because they roll them up, several girls have complained to me about the length of the skirt which is bought through school, from a uniform supplier; the same as DSD's as a matter of fact. And no, I am not "obsessed" with legs, as someone so eloquently put it. I just don't like practically looking up someone's skirt when they bend over a bit. I dread to think how the male staff feel.

mummytime · 30/04/2014 19:33

Complain to the school - I did an they found another manufacturer who even will do a 22 in waist and 24 in long. As I said if the skirt is too big the girls roll them up just to keep them up.

A similar thing happened with school blouses, they suddenly came up shorter, so girls couldn't raise their arms without exposing their middle, they all ended up wearing vests underneath.

cardibach · 30/04/2014 20:38

Bloody hell - 5' at age 12 tall?! DD is 5'7" and has been since she was 11! I can't understand why anywhere would sell a skirt too short for a 5' Y7.

Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2014 21:16

My DD is tall,and slim and wants me to get her gingham dresses for school ( she is 9) but she also wants her knees to be covered.
I'm going to have to get her a huge one!!!!!

TeacupDrama · 30/04/2014 21:23

my DD is 4.5 she is under the 50th centile for both weight and height so just below average; an age 5 gingham dress is too short, gingham dresses are designed to be worn with white socks not grey tights so if age 5 is too short on a shorter than average 4 year old????????

wheresthelight · 30/04/2014 21:39

Can I just point out that legally schools cannot force specific uniform suppliers on you. In fact I am fairly certain that legally they cannot force school uniform to be worn full stop so find a different skirt in the right size/length in a supermarket etc and send her in that?!

Notcontent · 30/04/2014 21:44

I find that in general girls dresses and skirts are made very short. I am always buying larger sizes.

Preciousbane · 30/04/2014 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/04/2014 22:09

Hmm we weren't in the same school were we, PreciousBane? 1980 was the year I got to do tech drawing too and was the only girl to do it.

Never wanted to wear trousers though but I don't see why girls can't if they prefer that.

whois · 30/04/2014 22:51

My school had lovely mid lower leg length, high waisted grey pleated skirts.

Looked smart, impossibly to roll up, super practice for sitting on the floor or whatever as it was almost impossible to flash your pants.

Not sure why knee length (and above!) skirts are seen as desirable for school children.

mummytime · 30/04/2014 22:57

wheresthelight - sorry but that is not true. There have been arguments that too costly Uniform is discriminatory, but Gove has backed down even on the advice that used to be give.
It is not even true, that as used to be often said in Primary school uniform is not enforceable. In Secondary it definitely is.