Current Year 11 - 2 more weeks of exams!!

[Rollergirl11]

New shiny thread!!

A year ago, I went suit shopping for one of my DD who was starting 6th Form. M and S said they don’t have a women’s suit section now as there is no call for them. They sell one black jacket and one skirt - both not suitable for a 16 year old. The women teachers don’t wear suits. Covid which has brought changes to working patterns has accelerated a trend that was already well under way and women in the workplace haven’t routinely worn suits for close to 20 years. In some industries women might still wear a jacket or a suit for meeting clients, but not on a day-to-day basis.

These suit or smart dress code policies are effectively just a uniform for 6th Form. A uniform would be easier, but these polices are a nod to giving students choice, when with the strict codes,there isn’t really any choice.

Private school here and yes, we need smart business wear. Not helped by DC loving upcycling and being convinced the old suit they bought in the Heart Foundation qualifies. I entirely applaud and agree with their principles, but sometimes you do need something new.

Also struggling to find business wear for dd going into state sixth form. Not a single suit in
m&s, tesco, massive outlet place or sainsburys. Have resorted to eBay. She’s had massive anxiety problems all year so I'm hoping the results are ok
to get in (need 6s or from 7+ for science or maths). Should be fine based on mocks but who knows.

Business wear for sixth form here too - both the grammar schools and the comprehensive require it.

Local comp here, and also business wear! We had fun and games buying a suit for DS who is 6ft5 with 36 inside leg. The trousers are long enough but the sleeves are too short (tall/long length but not long enough for his arms), but will have to do! If anyone else is looking for tall sons, Brook Taverner do machine washable suits with inside leg measurements up to 37 inch.

I do think this suit requirement is nuts especially for girls - when on earth do women wear them now? - and especially post-covid when so many people are working in leisurewear. I bought one from Burton for prom which had a good range of sizes. And 'smart casual' is nearly as bad. I'm trying to decide if 'no tracksuits' means no joggers - predictably ds is insistent nothing matters.

I think it's such a shame that school 6th forms require suits, it just seems so outdated now. I am glas DS doesn't have to, he has so many clothes (he has to due to his job and needs lots of different changes) so I am happy he is actually getting to wear it all now.

I can't believe it's only 2 days now, it feels like so long ago they were actually doing the exams.

@aramox1 I agree although I think suits are fairly unnecessary for both genders. I bet most of the teachers don't wear suits and even in the corporate world they don't seem compulsory.

DD is petite (5ft 1, size 4) and the fashion for longer or oversized jackets makes her look like a toddler who has raided dad's wardrobe. We did get an appropriately sized one in H and M though.
She hopes to do Art A level and I can't think of anything more uncomfortable/unsuitable to wear for painting, using clay, printing etc.

Suits are expensive to replace as well, if kids have growth spurts (which is still feasible age 16-18) or if they get damaged.

@CatLadyDrinksGin Next online have a decent amount of workwear for women. They sell lots of other brands these days besides Next. That’s where I’m going to order most of DD’s clothes. I got her a Lipsy blazer for £25 from there back for her 6th form taster day.

Last year we went to Next for petite jacket and trousers for DD. She was size 6. It was skirts that were more difficult.

In the end we bought a black pencil skirt from M and S in school uniform section. Think it was age 13!

It wasn’t a fun shopping trip simply because the choice was so poor. I think H and M probably had some stuff too, but the styles didn’t suit her.

And yes, in summer the female teachers look like they mostly wear summer dresses and skirts and in winter, skirt/dress/trousers with a cardigan or possibly a contrasting jacket - but not a suit to be seen really.

I think it’s a means if control and also a way for certain schools to suggest they are better than others which allow jeans and casual clothes.

When it’s really restricted, it ends up with girls expressing some kind of rebellion/individuality which teens always need to do, via their skirts being ridiculously short and tight, or their tops being skin-tight. It doesn’t look smart and grown-up at all.

We also need business wear for 6th form and haven't got anything yet 😖
dd is tiny (size 6) but fairly tall (5'8") so petite ranges don't work and there are few places selling size 6 suits. We just need to order a load of things from next I think and hope we end up with something.
shes another who is gradually talking down her predictions as time goes on - she's decided now she's going to get a 3 in Eng Lang having been predicted a 7. Also is second-guessing subject choices but 6th form have said we can book a phone call to discuss changes on results day.

I'm happy with DS wearing a suit for sixth form. Think it'll make it easier than him faffing around wondering what to wear every day.

Agree it's much more difficult for those with daughters. I used to always wear a suit for work until around six years ago when I realised most women were wearing more casual clothes. Now I tend to wear dresses and cardigans.

DS still nowhere near finished the bridging work for even one subject. He says there is soooo much!

Blimey your DS is tall @mushroom3 My DS is 6 foot 2 and very thin so I did worry that we would struggle with length and waist size but thankfully he's okay with a belt. Dare I ask what size shoes you had to buy?

Glad we don't have the suits (DS did). Ours is a kind of smart casual - but pretty prescriptive - no bodycon, no slogans, skirts below the knee, tops with sleeves, up to the collarbone no cutouts midriffs etc. DD doesn't want new clothes (doesn't like clothes shopping, is against consumer culture). Insists she is going to wear the same skirt every day with about two or three tops. We shall see.

@zighead he is a 12 so that is relatively easy 😁

There are some companies like countyschoolwear that do unbadged blazers, skirts etc that would work but it seems a bit sad. Ds has just grunted that he could possibly consider a new black t shirt to replace the 5 holey ones. Exciting times. He claims to have done 'sort of half' the bridging work for new school- there's quite a lot. His old school (v academic & competitive) haven't set any ! Feel like the next 36 hours are going to drag - results come out mid morning here.

Phew! Fingers crossed they stay that size. My DS is a size 11 and hoping it stays that way.

Hi all. Can't believe we're nearly at results day. I'm trying not to think about it as I feel sick. I'm sure DS will be fine but it's our first time with exam results and although I know he's worked really hard and I won't be disappointed in his results, I'm desperate for him not to be disappointed.

No cash for grades here but dh and I have decided to give him a sum of money in premium bonds once results are in. If he wins the big prize he has to share it out!!

He's planning on staying on at his school's 6th form (should be comfortably in - we have no plan B!). He has to wear a suit. We bought from Moss Bros and he looks gorgeous (biased!). We struggled to find one small enough as although he's quite tall he's v skinny - he has trousers in a 28 inch waist but needs a belt to hold them up! Also the three pack men's shirts from M&S. the sixth form has it's own tie.

He's been out for a haircut today - not much of the summer hols left. Maths bridging work nearly finished but when we were sorting out some paperwork at the weekend I found some physics work he'd forgotten about so that needs doing too.

I'd also be grateful for a year 12 thread and I'll start one for year 9 too - some schools start GCSEs then and for those that don't there'll be options later.

For those of you looking for suits, I've just had an email from M&S promoting their 6th form uniform range which has loads of suits/blazers/trousers etc.

Occasional poster coming back ready for Thursday and 6th formal DD is also 5’8 , size 10 - shoe size 6.5 so less of a problem; got very nice tapered trousers from JL school wear age 16yo, lovely soft blue blouses from H+M (complete bargain) and jacket from Next. Jumpers are our problem area!

ds still not convinced he will get back to school but if he does, it’s still normal school uniform here for A levels. Just the tie changes.

I feel sick too. Tomorrow is just going to DRAG!

Business wear for dd here too. Went to Zara and picked up some trousers and blazers. Such a faff tho!

im scared rigid for Thursday! Currently in the States and for a teacher emailing her results to her. Dd is panicking about chemistry as she says it haunts her daily.

anyone else got a dc worried about chemistry in particular?

is it a 6th form thing? Dd is off to one of the best colleges in our area and it’s any clothing- she’s been out and stocked up on gym wear and jeans!

Yes I’m worried about chemistry but only in so far as it bringing her combined science down

she basically had supply for chemistry for entire covid two years