To think we should do away with girls/ boys uniforms?

[MerryMarigold]

Can't we just have a gender neutral uniform? Trousers, jumper, shirt, maybe tie
My daughter literally NEVER wears skirts outside of school but obviously ALL the girls wear skirts to school even though trousers are permitted.

A. It would help those struggling with what they identify as wouldn't need to make any massive statements via uniform.

B. The cost of girls uniform (usually) is ridiculous and much higher than boys. My daughter's school has a specific skirt and specific blouse (skirt is 30.00 alone!) where whereas boys have generic grey trousers and generic white shirts.

It seems schools have bought into/ contribute to/ emphasise this very distinct boys/ girls gendered clothing. I hate it!

So the default is the traditional male uniform?

@ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings

Sounds like another example of "gender neutral" being used as a synonym for "male default". Can't see it catching on tbh. I would however support a campaign to a) make skirts/dresses/blouses a uniform option for boys as well as girls and b) make sure they all cost the same/are of the same quality.

Exactly, just give choice. The thing slot school skirts with a logo isn't even relevant as most Schools just do plain ones anyway.

Forcing trousers and supposed gender neutrality isn't progressive, and would probably upset more girls than just leaving it as it is

I'd get rid of it all together. I can't believe anyone likes it. It's ugly, often expensive, impractical and seems to cause no end of issues.

Your view is totaly formed around what your DD wants and nobody else. What strange school does your DD go to that doesn't let girls wear trousers if they want? Its permitted at our local schools.

@SirenSays

I get rid of all uniforms if it were up to me.

Me too, it's wank.

The problem with getting rid of skirts is that getting trousers to fit if you are a larger girl, or a curvy one can be difficult. Every pair of school trousers I tried on at high school would be more revealing than a skirt. They would cling to my bum and thighs.
I much preferred a skirt and tights.

Gender neutral doesn't mean masculine or boy!

Some girls like to wear skirts. I much preferred them at school. I'm 6ft and finding trousers to fit was a nightmare! Not to mention expensive! I could, however, find skirts that were suitable.

I'm with those saying just get rid of uniform.

My DD likes wearing a pinafore/skirt/summer dress. Dresses are comfortable for her. I don’t think anything will convince society that dresses are for boys even though I personally have no issue with a boy wanting to wear a dress
And as for that “identifying as” nonsense, none of it is real so I wouldn’t even entertain it. Like a PP I was a full-on goth but I wasn’t allowed to wear black to school.

No, but I think they should have the choice. One of my daughters likes to wear a skirt, the other usually wears trousers, sometimes a skirt. The school have never had a problem with it. My DDs also look forward to wearing the checked dresses in summer. I don't think they should ban skirts just because there might be a boy who wants to wear one.

The exact reason why mine went to Montessori after years of distance ed..Its the whole system that equates uniform+allegiance=subservience..
Certainly seeing fully grown women competing daily in the shortest skirt contest,or resenting the restrictions that come with wearing a skirt&crap like leg envy,shaving etc.My dd has never worn a skirt&has dyed her hair since about13,so i wasnt about to find myself spouting the usual "compliance is everything" narrative& how a uniform is the great equaliser🤣

My DDs high school doesn't have a uniform except for the PE kit which is pretty neutral and worked out as around £70 for the shorts, socks, top and hoody and it works really well!

Its one of the top achieving state schools (in England) and the kids generally gravitate to leggings and hoodies in autumn/winter and nice looking clothes that aren't revealing etc in spring/summer. They have a one page dress code which is basically common sense and nothing outragious.

Much better prep for adult life!

Oh sod off with this nonsense.

So your daughter's school allows girls to wear trousers but most girls don't so your daughter chooses not to - and your solution is to ban the other girls from wearing skirts so your daughter feels more comfortable wearing the permitted trousers? Why not just encourage her to stand up for what she wants to do and wear the permitted trousers?
My daughter doesn't wear skirts outside of school either - but she also hates the permitted trousers and prefers skirts over these. So I don't think you are being reasonable saying my daughter can't wear what she wants so your daughter can feel more comfortable to choose trousers!
YABVU!

My daughter likes wearing skirts.

And unisex usually means default to male so no thanks.

@mafted

I'd get rid of it all together. I can't believe anyone likes it. It's ugly, often expensive, impractical and seems to cause no end of issues.

Well I'm not overly bothered if my son goes to school in beautiful clothes cos he's 6 and clumsy but what's impractical about a pair or trousers / skirt / pinafore, a polo shirt and a cardigan / jumper? He'd basically be in similar but there would be more focus on labels / characters / how pretty or cool they look etc Logo clothes aren't compulsory so i can buy trousers, polo shirts and cardigans off the high street

Anyway I like uniform.

My daughter’s school (she’s 7) does it really well. Colours are blue and black. That’s it. You can pick up suitable items for pennies in the supermarkets.

My daughter tends to wear the gingham summer dress (which she loves) or a black pinafore with a white shirt/polo shirt and a cardi. I have bought the girls’ school trousers for her from next but I couldn’t have paid her to wear them 😂 she loves her skirts and dresses and that’s just fine.

However, one day per week they wear non-uniform clothes for outdoor lessons. And it’s a bloody pain in the arse.

I hated wearing trousers as did my sister. They made our arses very clearly outlined and baggier ones wouldn't stay up at the waist.

So we were skirt people. And I think that should be allowed. Kids should get the choice - shirts, trousers or skirts.

Instead of changing the whole uniform to suit her why don't you encourage her to be an individual and wear trousers if that's what she wants? I don't know why it's obvious that all girls choose to wear a skirt to school, there are lots of girls wearing trousers at my local primary.

I would complain though that boys can wear a generis shirt and girls can't as that is unreasonable.

*generic

My daughters hate trousers unless tracksuit bottoms so your plan wouldn't work for them. Choice is the reasonable option.

I completely agree. I think school uniform should be the same for everyone, and probably some type of tracksuit - practical and hard-wearing and unisex. I think what children wear for school uniform is ridiculous.

Oh OP, I noticed your mistake straight away and predicted how the thread would go.

Mumsnet is very happy to do away with gender stereotyping, unless it's to make anyone struggling with their gender identity comfortable.

Should have left that bit out, you've riled them up now

YABU. What about the girls who want to wear skirts/dresses? Just because your daughter doesn't want to wear them it doesn't mean that others dont!

Our school just gives a list of uniform items... It doesn't specify girls/boys... I don't see any issue tbh.

Dresses are so much easier when you have slim children. My daughter is in year 3 and school trousers always fall down (or are too short once they fit on the waist). My son is starting reception this year and I bloody wish he could go in a dress as finding uniform to fit is a nightmare.