to be annoyed that there will be a trousers uniform only at dc's secondary school from next year?

[bigbuttons]

DD ( dc number5) starts secondary in September. All her older sibs have gone/ are at the school. Her 2 older sisters are in years 8 and 10. Up until now the uniform has been, for girls, a blazer, skirt or trousers, white shirt and optional tie.
We got an email this week saying that after extensive consultation( I would like to know with whom because parents were not asked to my knowledge) the uniform for new year 7's would be 'gender neutral'. Both sexes will wear exactly the same uniform i.e new school jumper, no blazer, smart grey or black trousers, no skirts and all to wear a tie. Pupils currently at the school can continue with the current uniform but change of they wish.
There has been 'issue' with girls rolling their skirts up to basically just below their backsides and members of the public/parents have been complaining about this. The new trousers only uniform will help with issues of 'decency' it says.
Year 6 dd is horrified, she has never worn trousers in her life and quite frankly is not a good shape for them anyway, - leggings yes, buttoned trousers, no, although I have never said this to her of course. She is short and stocky, always has been.
I know many women who feel very uncomfortable wearing trousers because they don't like their legs/shape and always wear dresses and skirts.

What this this gender neutral crap?
I support both sexes wearing ties and I liked the blazer so am sad it has gone.

I think the girls should be able to wear skirts and am confused about the whole 'indecent' issue. If a girl wears a short skirt it's surely not her fault if people find it 'indecent'? It feels like very little has progressed for girls since I was at school. So, they now all have to look like boys?

I would be interested to hear people's views on this.

Since when have trousers been male clothes.

I think it is great that everyone will be the same. In my place of work everyone wears the same, which is trousers and a top and it is a place where the workplace is 75% women.

I don't really like that gender neutral tends to mean 'traditionally male', but I think school trousers for all is a good idea.

Trousers are way more practical. I have more issue with schools that used to specify skirts only.for girls

I hated the fact that skirts were compulsory, when I was at school. Too bloody cold, for a start.

If she doesnt 't like her legs why would she want to wear a skirt? Wouldn't that just show them off?

I think the school have done a good thing here. Wearing trousers doesn't make you look like a boy, in my last job I had to wear trousers as part of the uniform. Didn't look like a boy.

So women have to cover up but men can walk around with no tops on in the summer?

a) are the school boys going around topless then?
b) Men going round with no tops is disgusting and vulgar. Totally different from an 11 year old girl wearing trousers.

If I had two older students from the school of the same gender, I'd be pretty pissed off I couldn't reuse uniform when it's already expensive

I think it's a good idea. It will save the teachers telling them to unroll their skirts all day.

It sounds like a nice, simple uniform to source.

I wish my dc's school would do this, it's a great idea.

I'm sure there must be some trousers that would suit your dd?

I kind of agree with you about 'decency' but I still I think it' a great idea. I'd also ban make up and jewelery and make them all tie their hair up as well. It's like a catwalk show driving past my kids school.

My son was similarly horrified at wearing a proper shirt and tie when he moved to high school. He just got on with it.

I'm sure I will find some trousers to fit her and I'm sure all the girls will find a way of 'adjusting' their trousers to cause a commotion, that's what teens do. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.
Dd has no waist, infact she has a toddleresque tummy still so it would have to be elasticated waists.

I don't think that boys can go to school with no tops on bigbuttons? I get what you're saying, but we're talking about school uniform. The boys and girls are both covered up, and are expected to look smart and decent. Trousers for all is a good idea. Everyone's equal then.

If you want your daughter to feel 'positive' about her body, why are you describing her as 'short and stocky' and not suiting trousers?

Yes, I think teachers were fed up to the back teeth of being uniform police. I do understand it on many levels. I just wish there was another answer. I can't think of one though!

Jessica short and stocky isn't a judgment, it's a statement of fact.

My daughter has a wonderful fashion sense. I have nothing to do with the clothes she picks out and chooses to wear. All are 'decent' and suit her shape. I have never talked to her about her body apart from in a positive way. She knows what suits her and more important what feels comfortable and what makes her feel good.
She has tried conventional jeans and trousers and hates them.

Palazzos might be the way to go!

I'm not a fan of school uniforms in general. But if a school does enforce a uniform, then it seems fine to me that both boys and girls wear the same outfits. Trousers and a jumper sound reasonable. I see no reason for a tie but that's a different argument for another day.

They should've done what they did at girl's schools here. The school uniform skirts became colour specific (plaid colours associated with each school) and the skirts were all mid/lower calve (yep you read that right) and pleated. Looked like Nans picnic blankets. No way in hell to roll them shorter so it totally solved the problem

Sympathies DD was very much this shape, and uniform trousers were a pain but the 'tummy same size as hips' problem will vanish in a year or so when she hits puberty.

John Lewis were our best bet for that in-between stage.

Something like these trousers, with an adjustable waist, my work.

*might work

I would hate it it too. I have always preferred skirts.

And not everyone rolls them uo to indecent levels

Thanks fairy we will have to do a lot of shopping around!

Lancelottie the 'tummy same size as hips' problem will vanish in a year or so when she hits puberty.

At which point OP will discover that the trousers aren't cut to fit a narrower waist and wider hips, either... They are carefully designed to fit no-one.