DS wants to wear girls uniform - do I let him?

[BedHog]

My DS is in Reception at school. The uniform, like a lot of schools, is made up of various items of clothing which can be mixed and matched. One of the items is a cardigan made from sweatshirt type fabric. DS has said he'd prefer this to the standard sweatshirt.

I had a word with his teacher and she said she has only ever seen the cardigans being worn by girls. Normally I'm very much of the opinion that people should wear what they like regardless of gender, but in this case I'm not sure if it would lead to teasing if he was the only boy in school in a cardy. I've explained to DS that the cardigans are usually for girls, like skirts and pinafores etc., but he is still insistent that he wants to wear one.

What would you do? Shall I buy him a cardigan?

yes if he's an eldest child, no if he had older siblings who will notice that "Jack's little brother is wearing a girl shirt."

Could you borrow a cardigan from lost property at school to try out before buying one?

I know of a couple of boys at our local school who wear cardigans. They're usually hand-knitted ones rather than shop-bought ones but I don't think anyone thinks there's anything odd about it.

My DS wears a cardigan - One of his fave tops - and definitely made for boys since its black and blue sweatshirt material.

I say go with what he's comfortable. It'll mainly be used to line the lost property basket anyway.

Quite a few boys at DS2's primary wear cardigans.
I would let him wear one, but good idea to borrow one from lost property first perhaps?

I have a younger DD so could always save the cardigan for her if DS changes his mind. I just don't want him to become known as 'the boy who wore girls clothes to school'!!

There is a boy in my daughters year 1 class who wears a school cardigan. No one has ever made any comment at all about it.

He wears it with a polo shirt - tbh (if anything) the look is more football hooligan than sissy! He thinks pullover jumpers are for squares.

Strictly speaking it isn't girls uniform. It is uniform which boys tend not to choose. A huge difference imo and on that basis I would allow him but accept that he may not wear it much (but not a huge problem if you have younger girls.

AnnIonic!

| I rest my case

I would let him wear it. I don't really think cardigans are only for girls.

I thought you were going to say he wanted to wear a skirt

My ds would wear a cardigan. I would do what they say above and look to borrow one first and if he wears it then you can buy one.

Lots of boys at DD's school wear cardigans. I don't think the ones made out of the sweatshirt material are particularly feminine (in fact DD won't wear one of these because they are not girly enough).

Is it because the classroom is so warm?
DS3 of the same age wears thinner v-necked standard knitted type jumpers as the round necked swatshirts are so stifling (and faffy to get over a head in a rush after PE!)
But it's not 'girl's' uniform and at that age they're not too aware of what their classmates are wearing..you've got all that to look forward to in the juniors

You should let him wear it and the teacher should be prepared to back him up with the class if necessary. Lots of men wear cardigans, it's not an issue.
7 year old DS goes to German school with no uniform- his favourite trousers at the mo are Boden checked ones and he had some comments about why was he wearing pyjamas! He told them that they are comfy AND warm and he will be laughing at them when they are cold with sore tummies from their buttons(he has gone massively off adjustable waist trousers and says they are sore!) Teacher backed him up though, and I was proud that he didn't give into peer pressure-other kids don't care now!

Let him wear it, if he gets unbearably teased, he can stop, but I also think I would be proud he is his own person.

It sounds like the cardigan at my son's school. i have seen one or two boys wearing them. It's not like they are frilly or with flowers on them!

I'm a rebel and send my son in wearing a v neck knitted jumper as they are easier for him to take off, and not as hot or bulky, and look smarter. Is that an option for you?

don't boys clothes button the opposite way to girls clothes? (something to do with drawing swords many years ago? does the uniform shop do a "boys" cardigan? that way if anyone asks or makes fun he can point out the difference. he might even be a trend setter. :)

I thought it was going to be a dress/skirt too. I don't see the problem really, sounds like it's basically the same sweatshirt just with buttons/zip on the front?

I would let him wear the cardigan.

no problems.

I might have drawn the line at a skirt (because it would look like piss-taking)

Housework - yes, that's the way it's supposed to be, but DD has a sleepsuit from asda that so girlish (pink, minnie mouse, frilly) that's done up the boys' way....

sounds like DS1s cardi too. It is dark purple, but sweatshirt fabric with fleecy lining. Same as the actual sweatshirt, but that has a high round neck not a v-neck like the cardi. Its pretty unisex, but only the girls wear them. If my DS wanted to wear it, I would let him.

I think I'll get him one then if he mentions it again. It isn't a 'girly' garment as you say, if I saw it in the shop I would think it was unisex. It's just the fact that no boys in the school wear them, and a lot of girls do.

I probably would have to put my foot down at a skirt or pinny dress though!! Or a nice pair of Mary-Janes!!

At our school, the cardigan is quite boyish and most boys wear the jumper and most girls wear the cardigan (or a shop-bought cardigan of same colour) but some boys wear the cardi and vice versa. Both my boys did wear the cardigan in nursery and reception they liked it as it was easier to take off for PE! but now in year 1 and 2 they wear jumpers.

There is one boy at school who insists to wear girl shoes, so his mum bought him girl's lace ups and they look quite nice.