AIBU to look for a more comfortable blazer for my daughter?

[Stars2theside]

Long time member but haven’t posted before and I’m posting in here for traffic! But would be so grateful if anyone could point me in a better direction!

My 11yo DD is starting secondary school in September. She has a learning difficulty, so will be attending a mainstream with dedicated ‘hub’ for her learning needs.
She is a bit overweight - and due to cerebral palsy (although mild) she struggles with muscle tone. Her tummy is quite big and so makes clothes a real issue for her.
So, onto my issue. The school uniform requires a blazer. All the blazers in uniform options are too restrictive, especially across her tummy, and she has some sensory issues, so the material of all of them feels too rough! So I’ve ordered her some smart women’s ones.
They seem to fit her better, but of course the arms are a bit too long. We can just roll the sleeves up if we have to, but I’m wondering if anyone knows of any options that I maybe haven’t thought of? The fabric of the womens ones feels much nicer too! And they do still look smart - I just need to see on the school badge.

Contact a tailor or experienced dressmaker in your area and talk it through with them. These people can make magic and will give you the best advice.

Please don't buy anything 'different but almost the same' not when starting secondary school.

School will need to make reasonable adjustments/ best endeavours re disability and sensory needs.
Have you spoken to the SENCO during transition about this?

If she can tolerate the material you may be better getting a uniform one altered. Some schools are really strict about uniform and won’t allow sleeves rolled up etc. Don’t assume they will accommodate even if they have an SEN Unit/ Hub.
If needed get the SENCO involved and advice from the LA SEN Parent support service.

It will be a difficult balance as you need her to be comfy and meet her sensory needs whilst not making her look different or stand out if possible.
Good luck

A good tailor will shorten the sleeves and then lengthen them again with a growth spurt. It's not even noticeable.I find it's always the sleeves that are an issue! Wishing her well in her new school 😊

Have a look at Whistles jersey blazers. They are comfortable, stretchy and despite saying slim fit they are so roomy in the tummy area that you'd probably need to size down.

I did ask them if there was any room for relaxation on the uniform and they said no. They’re not so super strict that the blazer must be buttoned up at all times, like some schools. They said no because they didn’t want to have her wearing anything that would make her stand out - which I do agree with also!

So, this is what I’ve done. Although not whistles, I got some John Lewis women’s ones for her to try and she seems happier with them. We can either roll up the sleeves, or like a pp suggested - take it to a tailor to alter the sleeves!

Get a tailor to alter the blazers you've found. The school do need to allow reasonable adjustments to the uniform though. I have Cerebral Palsy too, and for me it was elasticated trousers not fly fronts because I couldn't do fly fronts, and different shoes because I use insoles in my shoes. It is illegal for the school not to allow uniform adjustments.

You can buy soft jersey blazers...I recently got one on Amazon....it's like a kind of thick leggings material

But if you can find a black blazer that she will wear and have the logo stitched on, surely thats a reasonable adjustment?

Thank you - I don’t really foresee there being a huge problem from the school’s perspective. She’s tried on the women’s ones I’ve bought her to try, and I think she looks smarter in them than the uncomfortable uniform ones. Yes she also hates fly fronts and anything tight! She’s fortunate enough to be able to wear pretty much any shoe, she just needs them to be supportive, and not too flexible!

Yes I think this too - and that’s what I’m planning on doing!