AIBU to think the new sixth form outfit looks like something from "The Handmaid'sTale"

[joanjett]

I am surprised the school did not add a cloak and a "chastity bonnet"

That’s so frumpy and awful. Sensible to a ridiculous degree.

Theres a few schools in NI with long skirts to stop girls rolling them

Ours were a bit shorter than this, about mid shin, or a bit longer if you were short. Of course, we rolled them up, but you could only really get away with knee length before creating an unpleasant lifebelt effect if you went farther. Which was presumably the point.

Hope they've done a risk assessment for going up stairs in that skirt... A tripping hazard if ever there was 😬

I do wonder at all the people who think it's an impractical, dangerous tripping hazard, enforcing modesty - I have to presume they think maxi-dresses are insane and a product of modesty culture too. Which is an odd take. Considering skirts will be different lengths on different girls, I feel as though if a school is going to have skirts, the requirements should just be anywhere from below the knee to the ankle. Nice and practical.

I feel like the trendy wide-legged trousers are more likely to kill someone tripping over, though!

I quite like it to look at because it’s stylish in a vintage way but I wouldn’t want to wear it. It would be disgusting and smelly quickly in hot weather!

I know, I wear maxi dresses all summer long and have never once fallen up the stairs or tripped on it! People need to be more careful I think.
Anyway, if they struggle to walk without tripping they can always wear a trouser suit instead, as per the school’s uniform policy.

Err… why would it smell? 😳

I checked the school handbook. 6th formers can wear a trouser suit if they wish. That skirt is the only skirt option.

I thoight most 6rh forms didn't have uniforms. Even my posh school didn't bother with them in upper school.

6th*

No, but it’s horrid

This one does

I don't mind the length per se, but that is a LOT of fabric! It's one thing if it's fully lined tropical weight wool (and the climate is appropriate for that), but that much fabric in a synthetic or blend - which I suspect it is as otherwise it would be quite expensive - is a climate crime as well as unpleasant for the wearer. And a skirt like this needs a fitted top for balance. A single-button blazer risks looking cheap and does no favours for anyone with curves.

I'd rather wear this skirt than a buttcheek skirt, but I'd rather trousers (or shorts, if it's hot) over either. All that said, it's kind of strange to worry that a specific school uniform is old fashioned - surely the basic concept is archaic?

Because it’s heavy and black and in 30 degrees you’d get covered in sweat. Global warming you know ?

Yes, long skirts really aren't that hazardous! I'd definitely be wearing the trouser suit in winter, but I rather like the skirt - I think it's quite stylish for a school uniform. Perhaps that's just a sign of how unstylish I am 🙈

The girls' uniform for Marlborough College (PoW's alma mater) is long skirts. They wander about town wearing them.

A lot of private schools especially have long skirts/culottes and the girls I know who wear them really like them. They can wear PJs/leggings underneath and don’t need to worry about tights etc.

However, that uniform pictured isn’t nice. There’s almost not enough fabric in the skirt so it looks odd, and other schools who wear long seem to have shorter, fitted, jackets with fitted open neck blouses (no tie). For example, Rugby, Marlborough, Oundle etc. Full length skirts/cullottes look strange with a long jacket, collar and tie.

That's my old school uniform!! We mived from the midlands after my InterCert. I was bemused by the long skirts!! I hope they don't have the hideous bottle green coulottes for PE.

Midi skirts are very fashionable now, I suspect they’ve went for that vibe and missed, there is something of the nun about it,

This is mad. Trousers are much more likely to get smelly than skirts. Skirts are ventilated, unlike trousers which sit very close to the crotch.

They don’t have very many days in school in 30 degree weather though, and when it is extremely hot most schools relax their uniform rules. My daughters are at an independent secondary and in the heat wave in June/July they were allowed to wear their PE kits.
It’s no different to wearing black trousers, which many school kids manage to do without their legs smelling.

is this for sixth form? It’s awful. I don’t see the point of uniform/smart dress in sixth form, no job would require you to look like that and going to uni is a slob fest of trackies, hoodies abd jeans!
My DS had to wear (his own clothes) trousers and shirts/jumpers), but at least no tie or blazer and it looked fine. I mean at least it was 21st C office attire!

I guess that’s because the actual uniform is a trouser suit. That skirt is just an alternative for those who don’t want to wear a trouser suit. So they won’t design the jacket/shirt around a skirt that isn’t the main uniform.

@SlugJam@EgregiouslyOverdressedyou never get sweaty legs sat down with them crossed? I also meant the whole uniform not just the skirt. My kids have to ask to take their blazers off even in the summer at their school it’s mad