Advice sought on 6th Form Suits for Girls etc please

[LIZS]

Dd needs formal suits , tops etc for 6th Form - brief is "formal businesswear". Issue is she is a petite size 4/6. We've found a black suit in H & M size 6 which is just below the knee and a few blouses with collars. Ideally she wants another with a shorter skirt but this is proving elusive, even after a trip round Bluewater. Also any tips on the "right" bag would be appreciated. She is currently thinking large tote handbag style.

Dina are you trying to wind people up or do you come from somewhere like N Carolina or Virginia?

Likely not. I'm a professional woman in the US South and I haven't worn pantyhose since about 1997.

No, the state schools round here require smart business wear too.

Try Uniqlo

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/bottoms/skirts

The website isn't always the most helpful at putting tops and bottoms together into suits, but they are (usually) there, and there are plenty small sizes

The irony is that business-wear is becoming ever more casual. Ties are more or less optional for men and women have huge flexibility.

Only up to a point, Jaimes depending on your sector.

Pupils will know what the level is for their Sixth Formers, as they've been seeing it for years (even if not consciously absorbing it). Out asks for suits fir bith sexes. The extra flexibility for girls is that their suits can have skirts, which should be no shorter then just above the knee. But from looking, it's easy to see that the the skirt length rule is not enforced, but the rest is.

So many schools want their sixth formers to dress like 1990s estate agents. Nothing against the 90s, or estate agents really, but it's a bit odd.

Big Asdas can be good for office clothes. It's not great quality, but it's inexpensive.

I agree Jaimes. My business sector which used to be very formal is now far more casual. We can wear smart jeans to work.

Ha, yes. Dina's advice screams "overdressed trainee lawyer on her first day". Even in the most conservative echelons of finance and law these days nobody insists on heels and "blowouts".

I was trying to convince dd that black trainers were acceptable office wear now but she wouldn't go for it! Tried size 6 slim fit trousers in Next but they were too loose. I also think it doesn't help that we are now so used to her wearing leggings day in day out, so nothing seems right. They do seem to wear jackets at hers, will maybe go for a dress under later in the year. Ds was so much easier to kit out and seems completely oblivious to whatever the girls wore.

I'm almost certain that black trainers won't be acceptable. Clarks 'sensible' ladies' shoes are very popular with our 6th formers, and with my office working daughter and her friends too.

Can't remember if you said top and bottom half have to match. Lots of our girls wear a black dress or skirt, with a looser cut 'blazer' often in nude or beige or that v ale pink that's been everywhere recently.

pale

It was tongue in cheek about trainers , but in London last week they were everywhere! No think they can mix and match. Just seen a grey suit on dp website but skirt looks long (68cm) and no petite version. Not suitable for shortening either.

Cute dress

What sort of thing does she normally like? Which shops?

DM Mary Jane shoes?

Wow. I had no idea there could a dress code for 6th form. I used to wear whatever I wanted. Sorry not helpful but I just never knew! Be easier if they just worse school uniform!

Wore not worse

Nice dress, would suit her too. Will add to list. She is very petite , if not always dainty, usually has Clarks ballet pumps. Showed her Kicker and DM style but both too clumpy for her so will probably stick to them but may not work with trousers.

Mango?