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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that leggings as school uniform is not 'lazy parenting'?

208 replies

NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 10:55

Had a bit of a debate last night with a friend.

My DD wears black leggings to school. Her school isn't that strict about uniform; ties are optional, polo shirts are normal, etc. They do a daily mile run and lots of outdoors activities, and gym 3 times a week.

She's comfortable in leggings, they keep her warm, so that's what she wears (sometimes - she also has skirts and a summer dress).

But my friend was very scathing about the leggings! She says it's lazy parenting, to which I asked in which way I was a lazy parent for sending my daughter to school in comfortable clothes which adhere to the dress code.

She had no reply; essentially she just doesn't like leggings. It's sloppy, apparently, to let kids wear leggings, but other forms of black trousers are ok. I think she assumes it's to save me on ironing, maybe? Which it isn't.

So AIBU to let my daughter go to school in leggings?

OP posts:
DontBeASalmon · 05/05/2017 12:31

Try to go for a job interview with leggings , and see how it works.

Leggings are not trousers, and some of them are so see-through you might as well wear tights. They are designed to be covered by a dress/ tunic or whatever you want, and they have no space in a school uniform list. We might as well send the kids to school in tracksuits. What's the point of uniforms then?

EllaNB · 05/05/2017 12:31

I also don't agree that leggings are the same as trousers. Would you wear leggings to work if there was a smart dress code?

Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:33

But they actually are trousers; it sounds to me like they're just trousers you don't like - which is exactly as far as my friend's logic got, then she couldn't quite articulate her objection.

And of course she doesn't wear see-through ones, for goodness sake Hmm

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 05/05/2017 12:33

What's wrong with leggings Confused

Far easier than finding non scratchy trousers or having to faff about with adjustable waists and kids can run about without having to keep pulling them up

OhJustPassTheCake · 05/05/2017 12:34

your "friend" needs to wind her neck in xx

llangennith · 05/05/2017 12:35

Leggings as trousers? Definitely not on for anyone but toddlers.

TeenAndTween · 05/05/2017 12:35

I don't think leggings are trousers.
Leggings are a half way house between tights and trousers.
Cheap leggings are nearer the tights end of the scale.

BUT

if the school isn't bothered, that's fine.

ps How about jeggings?

EllaNB · 05/05/2017 12:36

I don't dislike leggings, I wear leggings with tunics or dresses or when relaxing (in my own time) not at work.

They are not the same as trousers and I think for school shouldn't be used as a replacement for trousers.

Perhaps they are ok for very young children at school but definitely not at a secondary school.

Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:37

Yes, but why IIangennith that's what I'm trying to get to?

For what reason? I so don't understand the hatred!

Teen she wore thick cord jeggings all winter, now she's just wearing thinner ones as they're too warm now and past their best.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 05/05/2017 12:37

They're absolutely not trousers, no. But on a 6 year old when the school is fine with it it's hardly an issue.
Do get the optional uniform Confused though!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 05/05/2017 12:37

We might as well send the kids to school in tracksuits.

Posh private school up the road's uniform is tracksuits up until Primary 3. Ours wear tracksuits one week a year for their fitness week and it's much more practical. Our school has lots of outdoor activity, a brilliant playground with its own woods, Forest School and all sorts - baffles me that tracksuits aren't part of the uniform.

Anyway, I digress. How can a pair of trousers represent lazy parenting?

seafoodeatit · 05/05/2017 12:39

If the school is okay with them then that's all that matters. I don't consider them trousers either and definitely not a replacement for smart trousers.

SapphireStrange · 05/05/2017 12:40

Try to go for a job interview with leggings , and see how it works.

The DD is 6. Grin

She's not much of a friend if she's 'scathing' about your behaviour, OP.

Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:40

But why are they not trousers? Can anyone actually answer that? Or is it just that people generally don't like the look of them?

DD hates normal trousers, she won't put jeans on, so in order for her not to succumb to hypothermia, leggings it is.

OP posts:
NellieFiveBellies · 05/05/2017 12:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadySalmakia · 05/05/2017 12:43

Leggings are totally a type of trousers. They are a subset of trousers. Not a smart subset, but they are trousers. Two opened ended tubes for your legs with a covering for your bottom and a waistband. Trousers. I literally have a degree in categorising things so I feel totally confident in banging my judge's gavel on this one.

They're not very smart, granted, but neither are jeans - you can't argue they aren't trousers just because they're not smart.

ChocChocPorridge · 05/05/2017 12:44

I don't see the problem. Mind you, I'm totally converted to uniform free schools since my kids started going to one.

We might as well send the kids to school in tracksuits

Funnily enough, that's exactly what the summer uniforms are in my current country. Looks fine. Kids are comfy.

SapphireStrange · 05/05/2017 12:44

I would guess people mean 'not trousers' because generally speaking, people wear leggings either as a kind of 'extra' item with a dress or skirt, or with a long top that covers the waistband and maybe the arse/crotch. As opposed to 'trousers', worn with a top that's shorter.

That's my own rule for me.

But I'm not sure a) what length of top your daughter is wearing for school or b) if that matters for a six-year-old.

Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:45

LadySalmakia you're my new favourite person, that's exactly what I've been trying to get at. Badly. Grin

OP posts:
carolinescustard · 05/05/2017 12:45

One of my children's schools introduced track suit bottoms to wear with the sweatshirts!
What a blooming mess! Looked like Hoover bags!
I think leggings look lovely, with a dress/skirt over the top!
That goes for girls and women.

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/05/2017 12:45

Well new

I can imagine it's soooo annoying to spend a fortune in M&s and JL and on a call back list for the school uniform shop turning out perfectly presented little office clones only to be stuck socialising with the slatterns in an asda summer dress and/or a pair of leggings Wink

Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:46

Well, exactly Sapphire the idea of having to cover up a 6 year old's crotch is Confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewStateswoman · 05/05/2017 12:47

Ha, that's why you should only ever shop in supermarkets for uniform Giles

OP posts:
RachelRagged · 05/05/2017 12:47

What a stupid comment Try going to a job interview in leggings !! WHO would do that ??

Totally different to a child wearing some leggings !!

Jesus ..

NapQueen · 05/05/2017 12:47

Dd wear black, red or navy leggings under her school pinafore if its cold as she finds them comfier and easier to get on and off than tights.

If she wanted to wear just the leggings with her polo and cardi, fine by me! She is 5.

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