Worth buying optional school ties?

[MilesManchester]

Our two DSs have just started years 9 and 11 at a new high school. The uniform is either a blue polo shirt or blue shirt with a school sweatshirt. Ties are optional. We bought them both 3 polos and 3 shirts but both want a school tie as well now. They are £9 which while not unaffordable seems a waste of money. Should we just insist they stay tieless?

I’d buy for the y9 but not the y11. (I assume they year 12 will be no uniform) I know that makes it hard for you as dc1 will find it unfair.

Do the other kids wear the tie or did you kids provisionally go to a school with no tie and want to try it for novelty purposes?

Do they have savings? I’d be tempted to say that they owe you £9 if they don’t wear them every day for the rest of term or something.

A school tie is a rite (right?) of passage.

They are essential for, among other things -

Tying around your head while chanting random insults.
Wearing as a peanut tie (tiny little knot) or Big Fat Tie that ends up only 2 inches long.
Three-legged races.
Tying enemies to netball posts.
Securing double doors.
Fan-belt emergency repairs on a Hillman Imp.

I dont see the point of ties under a sweatshirt personally 😁 The rule is if s tie is worn then top button must be done up, if no tie then thetop button should be undone with shirt collar out but my two dont like this. Quite a few others are wearing ties, mainly the boys.

I’d them to contribute to the cost, amount depending on how much pocket money or savings they have, but if it were my kids I’d say 1/3 or half. If they’re not willing to chip in their own money then they’re clearly not very bothered.

Yesh they have some savings but surely staying tieless is the best option, especially the oldest lad

I wish my DD tie was good for these but no, only the poxy clip on tie is available.

Could you pick one up secondhand? Facebook seems to be a good place to find school uniform bits.

Don’t get me started on ties. We have
standard school tie
rugby club tie
artists tie
divinity tie
prefects tie
sixth form tie
old boys tie
school trip tie
etc etc etc

all at £10 and 2 kids through the school.

Definitely second hand! I got two for a fiver on Facebook.

I would buy them both a tie unless there's genuinely something more important that £9 each (less if you can get one second hand) is needed for.

They have almost nothing they get to choose in their daily attire and they're both saying they would like to wear the tie instead of an undone collar outside the sweatshirt. Teens have opinions on their own appearance just like adults do, and their being happy with how they look isn't worthless. I wouldn't deny them that tiny shred of choice just because you think it's unimportant.