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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - Are school out of order?

83 replies

unisexforreal · 22/01/2022 16:37

School have recently stopped doing a girls blazer and a boys blazer. They now only offer a "unisex" blazer. This is actually a "boys" blazer, re-labelled as unisex. So it does up the wrong way. I can't help feel that this is wrong. It's taking away the choice from "girls" (and boys if they want to wear the blazer with the buttons on the other side). It doesn't need to be labelled "girls" and "boys", It could just be labelled Left button and Right button, but to take away the choice is just wrong. I'm someone who in my career in the early days had to work harder than all the men to be their equal in the workplace. I have fought hard for where I have got. I want equality for my children -whoever they choose to be and whatever they chose to wear and whatever gender or not they choose to be. But to me equality = choice. If unisex is so important, why not keep the "girls" blazer and re-label that as unisex. And by taking this small choice away, I feel is a step back. Am i being completely menopausally unreasonable?

OP posts:
BakedTattie · 22/01/2022 17:02

I didn’t even know they buttoned up different according to sex.

We just wore a blazer at school. It wasn’t male or female.

BooksAndHooks · 22/01/2022 17:03

Nobody really cares about the side buttons are on these days, the cut is more important. If the actual fit isn’t a problem then I think it’s a good idea.

I’d actually prefer a standard blazer for everyone, have got to replace everything g including PE shirts as they have a different collar for DD as I cannot pass on any of her her brother’s uniform.

Travis1 · 22/01/2022 17:03

As someone who has never and still doesn’t fit into standard ‘girls’ items because of length etc(looking at you adidas and my Scotland top) YABU girls items have never been designed with all women in mind, just those that fit the ideals. This takes the stigma away from those that would’ve had to buy a boys in order to get a blazer that fit. They should expand the sizing range though.

kitty96 · 22/01/2022 17:09

I had no idea the buttons were on different sides. I couldn't get excited about this.

VelvetChairGirl · 22/01/2022 17:10

So if your daughter has massive tits she has to wear a blazer that swamps her just to be able to do it up properly without her tits sticking out like jessica rabbit

DiddyHeck · 22/01/2022 17:13

@VelvetChairGirl

So if your daughter has massive tits she has to wear a blazer that swamps her just to be able to do it up properly without her tits sticking out like jessica rabbit
That would be the same for any blazer surely? Otherwise girls with tiny breasts would have a huge, gaping opening at the top of their blazers.
CorrBlimeyGG · 22/01/2022 17:21

So if your daughter has massive tits she has to wear a blazer that swamps her just to be able to do it up properly without her tits sticking out like jessica rabbit

Said girl would have a problem with any blazer.

I was very much that girl!

VelvetChairGirl · 22/01/2022 17:23

That would be the same for any blazer surely? Otherwise girls with tiny breasts would have a huge, gaping opening at the top of their blazers.

at least they are more shaped with boobs in mind rather then broad shoulders and longer arms

Original poster
unisexforreal · 22/01/2022 17:25

Thank you for those who have put it a lot more eloquently than I could! Yes I agree the side the buttons doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that they have defaulted to the boys blazer as the unisex version.

OP posts:
Moonface123 · 22/01/2022 17:25

Can we beat that victim mode drum any louder ?
l never once questioned whether my blazer was made for a male or female, l couldn' t have cared less and l am quite thankful about that.

GirlInACountrySong · 22/01/2022 17:25

yabu for trying to use the menopause as a reason for ,in your opinion, being unreasonable!!

we dont stand a chance with stupid references to menopause like that!!

DiddyHeck · 22/01/2022 17:26

@VelvetChairGirl

That would be the same for any blazer surely? Otherwise girls with tiny breasts would have a huge, gaping opening at the top of their blazers.

at least they are more shaped with boobs in mind rather then broad shoulders and longer arms

Yes but if you don't have boobs, which many young girls don't then you still have a problem.

Basically there will always be a problem with growing kids, hence the reason why most homes used to have a sewing maching. Nowadays parents tend to use Dry Cleaners to do alterations.

DolphinFC · 22/01/2022 17:31

@Pythonesque

i guess as long as they don't require them to be able to do their blazers up it's not going to matter. If they want them to be able to do them up then fit will be a problem for a significant proportion.
No it won't.
cansu · 22/01/2022 17:40

In your OP your main point was that the blazer would button up the wrong way. You didn't say anything about the cut or fit. It really feels like moaning for the sake of it. Girls come in many shapes and sizes so the idea that a blazer can accommodate the range is in any case a bit weird. I would be more concerned about the whole idea of having to wear a blazer. I have no idea why blazers and ties are worn in schools. Practical sweatshirts would make much more sense.

JigglyPiggly · 22/01/2022 17:42

@unisexforreal

Thank you for those who have put it a lot more eloquently than I could! Yes I agree the side the buttons doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that they have defaulted to the boys blazer as the unisex version.
Do you honestly not understand how it's easier to fit smaller stature children in larger fit clothes than trying to squeeze a boy into a woman's blazer?

The vast majority of girls will be fine in a boys blazer, the vast majority of boys would not fit in a girls blazer

Original poster
unisexforreal · 22/01/2022 17:44

@Moonface123

Can we beat that victim mode drum any louder ? l never once questioned whether my blazer was made for a male or female, l couldn' t have cared less and l am quite thankful about that.
Grin I think you’ve missed the point, but thanks for your comment. This is nothing to do with being a victim. I can’t even imagine how you came by that assumption.
OP posts:
LumosSolem · 22/01/2022 17:49

@cansu

In your OP your main point was that the blazer would button up the wrong way. You didn't say anything about the cut or fit. It really feels like moaning for the sake of it. Girls come in many shapes and sizes so the idea that a blazer can accommodate the range is in any case a bit weird. I would be more concerned about the whole idea of having to wear a blazer. I have no idea why blazers and ties are worn in schools. Practical sweatshirts would make much more sense.
This tbh. My secondary uniform was polo shirts and sweatshirts. And we could wear black trainers if we wanted. Comfy, practical and cheap.

Wish schools would focus on actually giving our kids a proper education rather than horrible expensive uniforms that cost parents a fortune.

Chely · 22/01/2022 17:52

Honestly wouldn't give a tiny rats arse about it. DD likes me to buy her mens coats so whatever.

Thatsplentyjack · 22/01/2022 17:54

I couldn't get worked up about the buttons. I wouldn't have a clue which side was for women and which was for men. The sizing and shape I sort of understand being a problem sort of.

monkeysox · 22/01/2022 18:01

Yanbu. Girls have boobs. Fit is different.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 22/01/2022 18:02

@Chely

Honestly wouldn't give a tiny rats arse about it. DD likes me to buy her mens coats so whatever.
I like wearing men’s hoodies and jumpers as well but that’s my choice because I like big, baggy clothes and men’s tend to be longer in the body. My sister likes wearing more fitted tops. We all like different things. Taking away the choice is not ok.
DiddyHeck · 22/01/2022 18:03

The thing is the opening post is so focused on the left/right buttons, I'd take a guess the OP hasn't asked the school if the blazer itself is actually the boy's old blazer, or if it's a newer unisex design and the cut of the cloth has changed.

Thatsplentyjack · 22/01/2022 18:08

@Travis1

As someone who has never and still doesn’t fit into standard ‘girls’ items because of length etc(looking at you adidas and my Scotland top) YABU girls items have never been designed with all women in mind, just those that fit the ideals. This takes the stigma away from those that would’ve had to buy a boys in order to get a blazer that fit. They should expand the sizing range though.
Completely agree with this. I'm tall with quite broad shoulders and would have hated wearing a fitted blazer to school. I think this is one of the times I would have to agree with the school. What good are fitted blazers? Which were oy designed to show off a woman figure.
BeBesideTheSea · 22/01/2022 18:15

It is not about the blazer. It is about “unisex” = male.

Which is why surgical equipment is designed to fit the hands of male surgeons. Why seatbelts are designed to fit and so protect male bodies. Why running shoes are design around the anatomy of male feet. Why medics taught the symptoms of heart attack are actually taught the symptoms of heart attack in males. Why the needles used for covid vaccination were based on correctly delivering the vaccine into male upper arm muscles …

Read “invisible women” by Caroline Criado Perez. newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/

Hankunamatata · 22/01/2022 18:17

Is girls blazer a different cut? Or just buttons on other side. Most schools here just have one blazer for boys and girls