AIBU to think this Scottish school uniform trend on TikTok had got out of hand?

[TigLil]

Hey everyone. Like a lot of folks here I'm a bit of TikTok addict. It started during lockdown so not my fault, but there you go!

I need to get this off my chest because it is driving me absolutely mad. Has anyone else seen 'Scottish school uniform' videos on TikTok? I am honestly utterly baffled and, frankly, disgusted by what passes for school attire these days.

Since high schools here in Scotland went back after lockdown I've noticed uniform standards fall off a cliff. I've two wee lads long off high school so it doesn't affect me yet but it's actually incredible what's going on here actually.

The Scottish uniform trend on TikTok is getting worse all the time. The ludicrously lax uniform rules in a lot, but not all high schools in Scotland I think has gone too far now.

I have family and friends that have teenagers in high school right now so I'm fully aware of how outrageously bad the uniforms have gotten since lockdown. Not only when they are out and about, but actually when in school (more later on that) they are on most occasions taking the proverbial with the uniforms. But it's also gone crazy on TikTok. Wearing "skirts" that are literally quite useless in terms being a functioning item of clothing, they literally disappear under the blazer. Little shorts like hot pants. Practical items of clothing along with blouses that appear painted on in tandem with either long black stockings, frilly white ankle socks or black see through tights that all more suitable for clubbing at weekends.

Some of the girls uniforms are like something out of Ann Summers catalogue some years ago. I'm not exaggerating. That's from what I see and anecdotal evidence I've been provided. I actually despair. On my own school run and on to work I pass several high schools and it's actually difficult to believe what you see heading in through their gates.

It's skirts that make my blood boil. I think they're the shortest on the planet. I'm not kidding. It’s completely inappropriate for a school environment. Or anywhere actually.

Whatever happened to looking neat, respectable, and ready to learn? Uniforms are meant to be a leveller so kids aren't competing over fashion and labels. Now it's turned into a competitive social media circus.

Uniform in Scottish high schools are worn till age 18. So the under 16 ban won't affect them. The endless stream of schoolgirls (the rotten algorithm of the app is to blame) cavorting in provocative dances while miming to filthy rap lyrics is a menace. Personally I hate them but the app just keeps throwing them at you. I fully support the ban, sooner the better.

It's like a competition. Each day it seems the girls spice up their uniform to better yesterdays effort. Even #ootd is now tacked on some uploads. The peer pressure must be incredible, relentless and controlling.

Personally I blame the schools. A lot of these videos are filmed in the school. Can you believe that? Because a lot of Scottish schools also now have official TikTok accounts so they either don't care or don't know.

How can any school in all honesty be happy with girls in uniform skirts that are literally like shrunken napkins? In TikTok world they seem oblivious to it all somehow.

The high schools in Scotland need an immediate clamp down in uniform standards. Because the first rule is no rules, they have become literally a daily fashion parade. And because the schools it seems have no limits, neither do the girls. This clampdown hopefully in turn will lessen, though probably not eradicate, what is becoming an out of control trend. I suspect one girl sees another girl getting more attention on her account in her uniform that has been pushed beyond words, then it's likely she will follow suit. It's a doom loop for the girls.

Sorry for the long rant. But I think it needed to be said. Schools need to be stricter on uniforms. Can they not see how provocative they've become in Scotland in recent times?? Please bring back skirts nearer the knees!

Am I just a miserable old dinosaur, or is anyone else looking at this absolute joke of a trend and feeling despair for the future?

If social media is annoying you then stop looking at it.

I’d just get rid of uniforms. Many countries don’t have them around the world so it’s not an inevitability of school.

My daughter wears leggings and a school hoodie. As do all her friends. It’s not as bleak as you make out.

Why are there lots of threads bashing Scotland at the moment?

Maybe get off Tiktok if it annoys you, the more you look at it, the more it will show you and its probably AI generated slop and not real.

It's quite distasteful to think there are people scrolling through pics of schoolgirls on SM ogling how they are dressed. But you're the one who is outraged.

I haven't seen the tik toks so can't comment, but my dd's year 11 skirt was short as she took a growth spurt & i refused to buy another.
Previous to that they all seemed to roll the skirts up.
Can't get aggrivated about it tbh - seems to be a rite of passage & it never affected her academics so meh

I haven't seen the Tiktok videos but I've seen what the local kids wear to secondary school (I'm in Scotland) and it's pretty horrific!

If your algorithm is constantly showing you school girls dancing in skimpy outfits I'd suggest you delete the app and seek help!

My tiktok is full of cats doing stupid things and road rage videos. Don't think I've once seen a scantily clad school girl in my feed 🧐

Is this a way of getting more views on tiktok?

anyone else looking at this absolute joke of a trend and feeling despair for the future

If 'old dinosaurs' as you describe yourself are addicted to tiktok then yes, it's time for despair.

Would you be equally outraged if it was boys wearing shorts that short or is it just girls bodies we need to cover ?

What a long rant about wee girls skirts! I advise you step away from TikTok.

I’m fifty and girls were wearing short skirts in my day too, society didn’t collapse.

The teenagers at my local school all wear their blazers, ties and look pretty respectable despite the “horror” of silly skirts.

You know some of those young people whose clothes so disgust you will have excellent Higher results and will be heading off to uni next year.

Regardless of what you are currently wearing you need to consider the propriety of your own behaviour.

I’m Scottish and saw a couple of these videos on my FYP at the start of term - the people in the comments should have been utterly ashamed of themselves, particularly as I’m sure many were grown adults (and going by user names/profile photos mainly women).

The problem - or benefit depending on your point of view - with TikTok is if you watch a thing it automatically pushes more of that thing to you unless you actively tell it not to. I had a period where a person I already followed was sadly diagnosed with cancer, and suddenly TikTok was like, great, she loves cancer, let’s show her loads of that. Holding down the three dots and clicking “not interested” will get these videos off your FYP.

You are right that uniform should be a leveller.
From your post, it is not just on social media but what you see with your own eyes. And social media is influencing the kids to wear more daring outfits?
The skirts here in England are also short, although I haven’t noticed any Anne Summers outfits.
I think it is for the school to deal with. The only thing you can really do is complain to the school that their pupils make the school look unprofessional and ineffective.
I think we will soon see more rules of ankle length skirts, or trousers only, like in a recent thread

this post feels like AI.

but on the chance it’s not, YABU OP. Kids (girls) have pushed the boundaries on school uniform since the dawn of time.

It’s always innapropriate for children’s (or anyone’s) buttocks to be out at school. But boys don’t wear booty shorts or hot pants, so it’s a bit irrelevant to think about. However, I actually think people would be more outraged if children of all sexes went to school with their bums out, and I think schools would clamp down harder if male buttocks were also on display

Rather odd post. The High Schools in my area of Scotland are not this at all…leggings and hoodies are by far what the majority wear. Occasionally skirts, thick black tights and leg warmers.

If something that has no direct impact on you is making you this wound up, I would suggest you cleanse your algorithm. Your post makes it sound as if you are completely helpless and passive, being forced to watch these things. Get rid of tiktok or change the way you use it.

Can we ban AI from mumsnet please.

Skirts used to be tiny but this seemed to run out of steam when my DC1 (now 20) started school. Much more straightforward wearing of leggings now which isn’t great but better than pointless micro skirt and tights.

Miserable old dinosaur.

Agreed, they'd at least all come in baggy jeans if this was the case too. I have sons, so don't have those issues, but some of the rules are ridiculous, like black trainers for PE etc, and it's costing unnecessary money.

Scottish school guidance has long been that pupils can mix and match the elements of the uniform as they see fit, so trousers are always an option. No one is forced to wear a skirt, short or otherwise, at least not by the schools.

2 kids a long way off high school you say?

😂

There's something weird about this posters obsession with school uniform when 'she' hasn't got any kids at school today

Just looked at some of the videos, but they're obviously for content, the kids obviously don't wear them and I think you're just been connned a little bit