To think pleated school skirts are sadistic and even potentially borderline misogynistic?!

[NothingIsGoing2GetBetterItsNot]

Ok maybe slight exaggeration and definitely lighthearted but really, wtf - why, Why do that to us??!

I have an ironing phobia and - and I admit I have left this a bit late - am searching for school skirts for dd, and they almost All have pleats, many 10+ pleats! All the way round!! All the Jersey 'skater' style seem to be sold out in her size wherever I look (I am clearly not the only pleat-phobic parent out there by a long stretch)! Everytime I see a pleated effort i get flashbacks to my own school days when we had not just a few pleats in our skirts but a full on fucking kilt - so we're talking 50odd pleats - and my mum passed on the task as soon as she felt she decently could, so I think I am actually traumatised (in fact probably the source of the phobia, thinking about it)....

The even worse element to this is A) dd Will Not wear trousers, and B) Rather likes pleated skirts (and Is Definitely too young to do her item ironing, unfortunately!) - Can anyone recommend some pleated skirts that really are permanent pleat, and virtually iron-free..??

Not a fan of pleats either and can’t stand seeing unironed ones though! Bought daughter two unpleated skirts and a pinafore. Asked OH to pick up another skirt when he went to supermarket and of course, he got pleated. I peg the pleats together when on the line so they only need a light going over with the iron. It will be the emergency skirt though - particularly as it’s not soft material.

For primary, you really don't need to iron it if you are not fussy. For secondary, they can do it themselves, as I did. Wash with shape and dry properly in shape, it looks ok enough for me. And ironing is not difficult if it was dried properly in shape either.

DD’s pleated pinafores have never been ironed. Washed then hung over the airer or washing line to dry. I don’t believe in ironing.

D4rwin, the first point made was that she WON'T wear trousers!

my daughter had pleated skirts for secondary. I bought some cheap elasticated waist ones as she has a very slim waist. These are good as they still fit as they grow, they just get shorter! I washed them on a cool, short wash and pegged them up to dry, in doors in winter.I never tumble dried them and the pleats stayed in, no need to iron!

Another school with pleated pinafores here - ours have to come from a particular uniform supplier and don’t go in the dryer. I just give them a quick shake and put them on a hanger to dry. They look absolutely fine to me!
The school summer dresses, on the other hand...

I hate them because they can't be shortened. There is no uniform out there for girls who are short for their age, but not skinny or less developed.

I don’t iron pleated skirts. I find you’re more likely to make a hash of the pleats if you do. They don’t drop out in the washing machine (or shouldn’t!!) so I just hang them up.

We have the wool kilt type, never had to iron it just hang it up to dry 🤷‍♀️

DD has to wear very specific pleated skirts in both her primary and secondary schools (trousers not allowed). I found that if I hung them on proper skirt hangers to dry they looked great with no ironing.

I've never ironed a pleated skirt and DD has had many during her 10 years at school.

@NothingIsGoing2GetBetterItsNot You don’t need to iron them. As other PP’s have said... shake them out, hang and done! DD has then and they’re super easy. Also good if you gently place on a radiator after shaking.

A bit off topic but I have no idea how anyone can say they don't iron! School uniform needs ironing! I buy all M&S because it lasts but even their ultimate,non-iron shirts need a run over, especially if line dried. Polo shirts are a crushed mess if not ironed and I couldn't even imagine not ironing 2 teen boys' school trousers or jumpers. Wee guy's school sweatshirts are the only thing that don't need ironing.

And if I went to work without ironing a shirt/ dress/ trousers I would look a sight!

You could get the non iron ones 20 years ago, I am sure you still can

OP: dd Will Not wear trousers.

1st reply to post: Trousers?

@Puffalicious

A bit off topic but I have no idea how anyone can say they don't iron! School uniform needs ironing! I buy all M&S because it lasts but even their ultimate,non-iron shirts need a run over, especially if line dried. Polo shirts are a crushed mess if not ironed and I couldn't even imagine not ironing 2 teen boys' school trousers or jumpers. Wee guy's school sweatshirts are the only thing that don't need ironing.

And if I went to work without ironing a shirt/ dress/ trousers I would look a sight!

🤣 you must have very high standards.

My son can only wear pure cotton shirts and all the creases are hidden under his blazer or jumper ...until he might ...gasp...take them off! No one cares.

Haven't ironed since about 2008 and even then it was only my husband's work shirts. Stopped when he kept shoving too many too close together in the wardrobe and he hasn't noticed.

OP: Pleated skirts are a nightmare. DD will not wear trousers.

Very First Poster: How about trousers?

I thought you were going to complain about the fact that the short pleated ones are a bugger for flipping up in the slightest breeze.
Now gym slips, (proper 50s and 60s ones) they were awful, and yes they did need either dry cleaning or hand washing and ironing.

@thenightsky - sorry, didn't see your post! Hoist by my own petard there...

@MsVestibule

I didn't realise pleated skirts needed ironing! Can't they just be hung up as soon as they come out of the washing machine/tumble dryer?

Maybe some types of material don't. But one of our local schools have pleated skirts and you can realreally badly crely tell the ones that havn't been ironed as they really look very shabby.

@Puffalicious school isnt work though! they can't choose what to wear the same way we can, even of u have to wear a uniform its still a choice where to work. I get fed up with schools being so prescriptive and everyone having to look the same and conform to some ideal of neat ironed pleats

Haven’t read whole thread but the secret isn’t to hang it on a hanger straight out of the washing machine whilst wet. No ironing needed. Fail to do this and they look a total state!

Basting all pleats in place works great for ironing wool kilts or pleated skirts at home. In American dry cleaners, cleansing is charged per pleat.
My school uniforms were mostly polyester; the pleats stayed in through washing and tumble drying.

Get some febreeze crease spray I swear it's a life changer! Reduces the amount of ironing to minimal or not at all.

I say that as a lifetime ironer... I've been known to iron socks and underpants on special occasions...

You need a steamer. Only about €30... hang the dress and steam. Fantastic