Private schools - do any of them allow a relaxation of the dress code in summer?

[gingerfrizz]

Just to preface this by saying that I don't condone rule breaking or rebellion against school rules, but eldest daughter is struggling in the hot weather to stay 'done up' as the school dress code demands. On the warmest days I did help her to do her tie with the top button undone but hide it with the knot, but she was worried that it would become visible.

I just wondered whether it was usual form for normally strict schools to allow pupils to do this, and whether anybody else assists in this surreptitious 'rule breaking'?

Ok I've looked up the term "shirt sleeve order" as oshgosh says it is a military one and it means that you have been given permission by your CO to remove your tie/jacket etc undo your top button and role up your sleeves as already said there is no half way house.
At one stage it was just "not the done thing" to remove your jacket and leave your tie on or an even bigger sin remove you tie and leave your jacket on! Years ago when we were at Henley in the scorching sun men were told off for removing their jackets and ladies their stockings/tights.

Is that still the case at Henley, do you know? I remember DH suffering in a heavy blazer (the only one he owned) on a sweltering day at Henley decades years ago.

Probably I dont think Henley Regatta is moving with the times. I belive skirts still have to be knee level or below. My DH also nearly roasted alive in his thick rowing blazer and boat club tie!

I've got no problems with "shirt sleeve order" I think its sensible. Its not being allowed to remove blazers, tie, jumpers, tail coats, etc despite the fact thats its a beautiful sunny day that I find completely incomprehensible.

So is it generally regarded as 'bad form' to just allow a loosened tie like they would in comp?

Yes

Yes, shirt sleeve order was announced on a daily basis at my ridiculous school.

Yes, a loosened tie is scruffy.

At the school I work in, 'summer dress' is no tights for girls, shirt sleeves neatly rolled up, no blazer but tie and top button to remain on and done up. In reality most ties/top buttons are loosened in lesson time and tightened up again before leaving the room.

I think 8 year old boys, wearing school shorts, shirts and ties look lovely. :)

I have just checked uniform policy at one of the schools we are considering for DS - summer clothing means no jackets or ties except for formal occasions, and no jackets for girls (who wear open necked blouses anyway).

Sarcalogos - how loosened are the girls allowed to have their ties in lessons? I'm sure that's not allowed at DD's school

My own (private) girls' school abolished ties in 1979! - and my daughters' (private) girls' schools have never had them either. I think an open necked shirt is far more sensible than a tie, and looks smarter than ties at all sorts of odd angles and lengths, too. I agree that little boys look sweet in ties, but looking cute is not really the main reason for going to school, is it? ; )

Gingerfizz my kids Comp would not allow ties to be loosened, actually they are far stricter than the girls selective, but probably not as stuffy as the boys (private) grammar.

DS's old school had 'shirt sleeve order' and tbh it was complete and utter crap. The cut off temperature for being allowed to take off your blazer was 27 degrees!! And even then it was either no tie and no blazer or full uniform. I always felt sorry for the girls tbh as they had massive, thick high waisted kilts on with no alternative summer skirt.

DD's school has a summer and a winter uniform.

Winter - skirt, tights/long socks, blouse, tie, cardi
Summer - school dress, socks, cardi OR (for Y5/6) skirt, striped blouse, socks, cardi

I don't like the skirt/blouse summer uniform, neither does DD - so she always wears the dress. Much cooler on the hot days too.

I went to a state school and we had to wear same uniform year round, including tie. Could only remove tie is school officially said so, which was rare.

Mind you, Dh has to wear suit and tie to work every day and no relaxation there.

ginger Im sure precise measurements vary with the strictness of each individual, as I say it isn't an official policy- more us taking pity of them (our school seem incapable of turning some radiators off even in this weather).

I find the girls often do not actually loosen there's at all, In my classes it tends to be the boys and only a few inches then. Make of that what you will. I make them do them up before they are excused to the loo/end of lesson. evil bitch teacher

I'm reporting myself for abysmal spelling. I'm sacking myself with immediate effect, please turn a blind eye!

It's ok sarca, just curious to see whether they good undone 'neatly' or like chavs, IYKWIM? This is senior school I assume?

Yes, to be honest I think a half undone tie always looks chavvy! Which is why it is banned I imagine!

I agree, but I think a slightly loosened tie can still look smart

we have short sleeves order days at our dss school too, but ties and blazers have to be on to leave the school at the end of the day.

Today was mufti day for Jubilee celebrations.

at my school, if you had cardigan on the sleeves had to be down not pushed up "like a fish wife"! Sticks with me today, will look at pushed up sleeves as daring!!

Have name changed not just for this thread.

Ginger, how silly, sounds like my stupid English girls' school. Ds, at well known fee paying day school, is in shirt sleeve order for this week as it is so hot and they have been doing exams.

When I was a child in Australia there were three sets of uniform orders, winter, summer, and Really Hot. On RH days one didn't have to wear gloves (hats were still compulsory but that makes sense) and senior girls didn't have to wear tights. And RH was defined by the temperature. Far more sensible.