To think that 5/6 year old little girls don’t need to wear shorts under dresses to “protect their modesty”

[Darthwazette]

Just what the subject like says really. I’d be interested to know other parents thoughts. I’m not a weirdo, this request has been made of my daughters from school and it makes me feel a bit icky.

I wear leggings or "chub rub" shorts under dresses. Not always, but mostly.

This is mainly because I'd rather have the freedom to move as I like, without having to worry if people can see up my skirt.

There is a certain art to wearing skirts and dresses while not exposing yourself, which I have never managed to master and - tbh - can't be arsed!

I would rather be able to just sit down, instead of having to pay attention to where I place my legs so people can't see up my skirt.

I don't see what's mad about that? It's just practical. 🤷‍♀️

I used to buy gingham shorts/culottes for my daughter, she was always rolling around and climbing up trees, if she wore a skirt she often wore cycling shorts underneath at that age because of all the somersaults and handstands etc. It was more her choice at us made her feel more comfortable to still run around without worrying about anyone seeing her underwear.

The thing is (and i've worked in primary for a long time) it's not really about the seeing of knickers - its about the fact that a lot of the girls are getting sent in in little or poorly fitted knickers which don't cover them properly when they're moving about/sitting cross legged. The girls are unknowingly showing their naked privates.

I do yoga, when in yoga classes I wear clothes that cover my underwear. When my children (boy and girl) do activities I don't think they need to show their underwear. I give my children choices around this (dress and shorts or shorts and t shirt.

I love these, I have seen them in the supermarket, they're definitely on my radar for next summer, my daughter is only 4 so I thinks he would struggle.getting them on and off going to the loo! But they're a great compromise

Sainsbury's are doing playsuits in the same gingham as school summer dresses btw.

I wasn't sure if school would accept them but DD has been wearing them for a couple of weeks now, and the school don't seem to mind.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/browse/school-uniform/girls/c:842050/type:playsuits/

It’s about exposing your underwear, boys and adults don’t do it, so neither should girls. I’m sure the boys and male teachers do not want to see girls underwear anymore than the girls want their underwear on show.

My daughter wears them for this reason. She doesn’t want anyone (boys, teachers, other girls in her class) seeing her pants so it does protect her modesty in that she feels better. She is nearly 9. If she wears a dress in summer sometimes she’ll wear shorts under as if we to to a park its more comfortable but in general she won’t as no need if she isn’t swinging / cartwheeling / sliding. I don’t wear shorts under dresses but i would if i was doing any of those things. I have on holiday wore nude colour cycling type shorts under dresses when we’ve been at a theme park or something as people don’t want to see my accidently flashing my bits & i don’t want to do that either.

Haha, cross post Mulhollandmagoo!

Great minds think alike, obviously

I only have boys but often wonder why parents put dresses on small children.
It just seems to be so impractical for climbing, being on the slide, sitting on the floor, anything.

It wouldn't give me the 'ick' but then I do wear light shorts under most summer dresses. It can be difficult to sit down outside otherwise. Also if the wind catches it. And I do call them my modesty shorts (in a jokey way)

I agree with you.
My year 4 DD insists on wearing shorts under her summer dress. I don't see a need for it, but she wants to, so I let her, as insisting she doesn't is just as controlling as insisting she does, if that makes sense.
I'd guess it's coming from wanting to fit in and the other girls do. This is the first year she's insisted on it.
It's rather similar to me wanting her to just wear bikini pants on holiday, rather than a full bikini, as she doesn't have breasts 🤷‍♀️
She'd be mortified though and wants to wear full bikini (and therefore she does)

woah there @highlandspooce netball is a girl on girl game. I assumed it was in case someone fell over. I’m not saying I approve of the request, just wondering if there’s a specific reason or if they’ve been asked to do so? Other than the obvious, which is very creepy.

I don't have a daughter but as an adult I pretty much always wear men's hipster shorts instead of knickers as I don't enjoy wedgies. Wouldn't it make sense to just buy hipster shorts from the boys underwear to use with dresses? They are significantly more comfortable and provide complete coverage in the event of cartwheels. They are also generally available in much more fun and vibrant sets of colours. Little girls would also have the "advantage" over adult women as the differences in bodies aren't as pronounced from their male peers and underpants made for boys would fit them easily.

It is your choice, but there is a fairly high chance that one day somebody will make an unpleasant comment to your daughter about her knickers or, worse, about what the knickers are supposed to cover but do not.

I am also 🤮 at pps’ judgement of secondary school girls. Most teen girls I know roll their fugly school skirts up - but wear jeans or trackie bottoms outside of school. Maybe schools should update their uniforms so that they have acceptable options for girls that actually fit a female body andare stylish?

I thought that was the point being made.

I pointed out the college kids wear normal stuff but even the sixth formers who have to wear the same uniform at school dressed very like extra at St trinians.

I spent years being caught behind them walking my young kids to primary school inadvertently seeing arse cheeks and in winter tight gussets- and I do blame the school especially as DD1 worn long skirts and got as much hassle as belt skirt wearers..

So yes I do think school should ether switch to trousers - though for some body types found in teen girls those can be problematic or enforce longer skirts or rejig the uniform or do away with it.

Mine chooses to wear dresses to school. She's really active and rarely wears dresses at home but always chooses dresses for school.

That's our personal reason

My 6 year old daughter wears shorts under her dress. It means she is more confident climbing things, doing cartwheels and generally running around freely; without worrying about showing her nickers to everyone. I would rather she felt comfortable doing these things.

I agree that it shouldn’t be phrased as a modesty thing though. It should be a personal choice.

Would the school allow girls to wear the playsuit school summer dresses? Or actual shorts as part of the uniform? Then they don't need to be warmer than necessary.

As others have said mine wears shorts underneath summer dresses because of all the cartwheels and handstands they do at playtime. No one would think it was ok for boys to run around showing their pants off so it's the same thing really.

I think it's the word 'modesty' that's the issue as it's very value-laden ('nice' girls don't flash their knickers etc). They could frame it much more positively. For example, 'so students don't feel restricted in enjoying play time and physical activities, shorts should be worn under dresses'.

Yes and no. I wouldn’t want a boy showing off his pants either, because they are private and we are treating to teach them that.

I think its fine. Either cycling shorts or gym knickers.

True, but a clear DBS just means a predator hasn't been caught yet.

(Thinking of my DS's form teacher of a few years back who had a clear DBS and a wife and yoing family and who was recently arrested for possessing images of child sexual abuse.... )

I’d definitely have second, third and fourth thoughts about some of the costumes I’ve known little girls to be put in for dancing.