Visiting private primary schools - do fathers wear suits at school tours?

[Lily7050]

We have booked visits to private primary schools this September-October.
Child's father is wondering whether children's fathers usually wear suits at school tours?

This is so funny! You wear whatever you're comfortable in. You are auditioning them at this age, not vice versa. And plenty of men never wear suits these days.

Thanks @Darkchocolateandcoffee :)
Well, I have read some schools "choose" parents as well.

God no! Dh wore chino jeans a shirt and a crew neck jumper

I also wore jeans!

I imagine it depends if you are going to a fee paying school or not really a normal primary school just wear what you want

I think a suit is not really needed. Chinos, shirt and crew neck jumper is appropriate.
I'm sure some might wear them if they had taken an hour off from.

No unless he’s come from work and he wears a suit there because he’s a bank manager or something. Just normal non scruffy clothes are fine!

No, only if going on tour directly before or directly after work on a day when you wear a suit. Just dress smart casual.

some schools "choose" parents as well.

This may indeed be true, but it won't be because of what they wear. They will be looking for a parents who will help, either with financial donations and / or the ability / willingness to support in other ways. Fundraising, speaking at speech day etc.

A suit is not needed at all. Normal casual clothes are fine, or work clothes if heading into work afterwards.

No. I think DH might have worn jeans and a shirt.
Although one teacher did notice and comment on his Rolex. I thought was a bit strange.

God no. Unless about to get on the tube for a meeting.

Is this state or private?

@TreaslakeandBack

No. I think DH might have worn jeans and a shirt. Although one teacher did notice and comment on his Rolex. I thought was a bit strange.

Probably just warning you off applying for a bursary 😉

DH wore jeans and a shirt and jumper. Many of the other dads were dressed the same.

If state, then they have absolutely no choice over who they admit - your DH could turn up in a onesie or wearing a Rolex and the school can't allow that to affect their admissions (though they might want to!). Private is a different matter...

Our tours were all on Saturdays so no, no-one was in suits other than the schools' staff!

Wear what you're comfortable in - you are who you are. Remember- schools are far more broad-minded nowadays, and the pupils represent a wider cross section of society (not economically, though!) simply because the traditional independent sector customer base simply can't afford fees nowadays in the same way they could have thirty to forty years ago.

Hilarious! If he’s coming straight from work then maybe…otherwise I’ve rarely seen any man in a suit at our prep or pre-prep. More likely to be in chinos and a shirt. At worst maybe those maroon cords

@Lily7050

Thanks *@Darkchocolateandcoffee* :) Well, I have read some schools "choose" parents as well.

Maybe but the days of suits and ties being the norm are over. You wouldn't go wearing overalls but smart casual is fine.

Not at all.
I did make sure I didnt look like a total scruff but we didn’t make much of an effort.
Go in what you are comfortable in (unless it’s your PJs)

@Seeline

Is this state or private?

It says private in the OP.

No definitely not. Very few people even dress up for work anymore (even before Covid) and I think a lot of people just wear what they are wearing for the day. Jeans or khakis are typical I would say. I probably wouldn’t do short but really anything neat and clean is fine.

We are in London so it may be different in other locations.

DH wore baggy jeans and a hoody, like he wears all the time when he’s not at work!

Chinos?! Do people still wear them?

@Malin52

Chinos?! Do people still wear them?

My FIL does, but haven’t seen anyone else in them for years!

I can't imagine many schools would care. My FIL would expect my husband to wear a suit for such things because he thinks it shows an air of importance (he wears a suit to travel for the same reason). Luckily my husband didn't inherit this from his dad and probably wore a Superhero t shirt or his work scruffs to school open days (I can't remember now). I almost certainly wore jeans and a hoodie .