Sixth form black skirt suit for my daughter

[Ruthie456]

I’m off shopping for my daughter’s non regulation, but smart, black skirt suit. Obviously she wants a fitted suit with an above the knee length. She’s tall, 5ft 10, shapely but slim. Size 10.
Don’t want to pay silly price but it has to last (the jacket) at least. Separates could be a problem as difficult to at match black with black on different materials. Any advice? Thank you.

try here x

Marks and Spencer. They will last two years, washable and presentable. Anything really cheap looks awful and goes out of shape. You do want the clothes to last.

We got my dd’s at M&S last year, I think they were around £15 for the skirt and have lasted really well.

Black is very austere! My DD is now a barrister and a black suit is the uniform of court but at school they had to have a business suit of any darker colour. That gives a wider choice and doesn’t look like young DC are going to a funeral! Schools have turned themselves into such strict and dull sounding institutions!

I swear by Zara. They usually have skirts, fitted trousers and dresses to go with the jackets so you can mix and match several pieces with the same jacket.

I’d go with Zara too - as a tall woman, their clothes generally hang and fit well and aren’t going to break the bank. Mango might be worth looking at too? I’m not sure I’d have got eldest DD into M&S at 16 but I do think they’re worth looking at as they’ll last & I’m sure even a very style conscious teen will find something that’s acceptable!

And yes, very austere! I guess comes from some idea that they are somehow being prepared for the world of work?!

Thank goodness we don't have that to worry about, just basic teen wear here, other than a few rules on it being "respectable".

Older DD had to have a jacket, but could be worn over anything. I think her school has even ditched that now.

There are now so few jobs where you have to formally dress in a suit, particularly the "new" industries. It seems odd that sixth forms continue to insist on such rigid formality.

I like Mango for blazers and workwear. I wouldn’t normally buy black but they do have this.

shop.mango.com/gb/women/skirts-short/pencil-skirt_51093028.html?c=99&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;17

shop.mango.com/gb/women/jackets-blazers/essential-structured-blazer_51083028.html?c=99&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;17

Try Uniqlo

does it really have to be black? That is very unusual.
The sixth form uniforms around here tend to be navy/grey/black skirt/trousers/dress and a jacket. Usually but not specifically a suit.

Zara, Mango
Jigsaw if you can catch the sale can be very good

My dd got her sixth form suits from H&M. Lasted well and v reasonably priced.

Next are great for skirt suits.

Wow. And I thought DH's old school (to be fair it was a state grammar) was a bit strict insisting that the 6th formers all wore smart non-jean trousers, sports jackets or blazers, ties and buttoned up shirts!

I'm just ranting really, not helpful at all, sorry but why on earth do these 6th forms with such strict dress codes just not have a uniform and be done with it? It'd be a lot easier (and I dare say, cheaper) to buy a uniform skirt suit than have everyone searching around for funeral clothes on the high street. The idea of all those lovely young women dressed for a funeral every day makes me feel sad.

Next is good quality and reasonable priced. I get my black skirts and trousers from there for work

H & M was the only place we could find a reasonably priced suit that was skintight fashionably cut enough for DD.

DD's is from Debenhams, two years old and counting, machine washable