Schoolblazer "Hip-fit" skirt...unless you have hips that is!

[yogamatcalling]

Has anyone had any success getting the Schoolblazer Hip-fit skirt to actually fit over any hips? My daughter (UK size 4) we have tried all sizes between 22" waist and 28" waist and none of them will fit over her hips which measure in at a tiny 32". The actual hip measurement on the 28" skirt is only 30"...Schoolblazer's only advice is to keep trying larger sizes, they've suggest a 32" waist - this is 10" bigger than her actual waist measurement and is a standard UK 14 - this crazy, how have others got round this?

Do you have to use them?

Unfortunately yes, tartan pleated kilt that is unique to the school

If it sits on the hips then it shouldn't matter what her waist size is, just buy according to her hip measurement. Maybe the waist size is the 'waist' measurement of the skirt, which would need to be almost as big as the hip measurement if that's where it sits.

It's such a weird skirt - definite waistband with fitted sewn in pleats from waist to hip and four side buttons, it doesn't look like it is supposed to sit on the hips - there certainly isn't any allowance for a bottom!

DD had this style. She has a tiny waist but a bum and we just accepted there would be a huge gap around the waist. She wasn’t the only one and by y11 the skirts were well above the knee worn with school jumpers and shirts tucked into the waistband. An interesting look!

DD's pleated kilt was a shocking fit, we had to get a bigger size to get the length she needed, but that meant it literally fell down as she walked.

Fortunately I can sew, so I've added button elastic to the waist to make it adjustable, and an extra button where the skirt does up at the front.

Ah but you need the baggyness around the waist to roll it up!

Could a decent tailor alter it, or would that be Forbidden?

We're stuck on this one at the moment - my daughter needs a long 6th form skirt. I tried to get advice before I even ordered it because the picture compared with the size they suggested made me suspicious it wouldnt' work. They insisted the 26" waist would fit (I'd measured her at 27" waist and 38" hip). When it didn't remotely go on I phoned them, they had a "hip" measurement on their system for the skirt that indicated it should fit her. I measured the skirt and even at the hem it was narrower than that.

After two rounds of discussion we're going to try the 28" waist - they told me it was wide enough at the hip ... - but I'm assuming we're likely to have to send it back for a 30". I'm planning to follow up later and suggest they need to measure their garments carefully and update their system properly.

The previous skirt she had only worked by pulling the waist elastic in about a foot. I don't think this one has any adjustment in the waist.

Particularly for senior girls, I'd estimate at least 50% are going to be very badly served by not tailoring skirts appropriately for a female shape. But then us adults aren't well served either!

I don't think "hip fit" is EVER appropriate for a skirt. What we've seen seems to suggest that they are sizing their "hip-fit" skirts with the actual "waist" measurement being the "waist size" which of course doesn't add up if they intend it to fit below the waist. A skirt tailored to fit girls with hips, will produce a better fitting result on many more body shapes than the other way around!

The skirt you're describing, properly designed, could look lovely!

[references to sewing has just reminded me of the adaptations I ended up making to a prep-school skirt - not only waist elastic but a lining as well!]