If you have a dd going into sixth form...

[BlueBlueCowWondering]

Where are you getting her a suit from? Mine has zero interest in shopping but there are now fewer options than when I took older dd. Eg Next has one suit, available in 3 colours but no other options.

It seems too full-on summer to get autumn clothes but we can't wait too much longer! I haven't seen much in store at H&M and dd's default is Asos but I think we need to go and try in person

When mine went to Sixth form she didn't wear an actual suit but mixed and matched blazers/jacket, skirt, trousers with shirt or smart blouse. All from the high street/online.

Mine wears grey hoodies she keeps on the floor to sixth form.

If I was buying a suit I think I would go to Zara.

Does she definitely need a suit?

Mine is at the end of year 12 in a school sixth form, and has never worn a suit to school. Their dress code is pretty relaxed at her school...no joggers, no strappy tops, no midriff showing, no short skirts, but otherwise pretty much anything goes. In reality, there are quite a few kids wearing stuff that breaks the rules, but nobody seems to bother about it.

Nearby school specifies "business dress" for sixth formers, but none of the girls seem to wear suits and a lot of the boys look fairly casual. It seems that the interpretation of "business dress" can be stretched quite far from what I've seen!

So I would check first what the kids actually wear before parting with your money.

Yes, students have to wear match jacket and bottom half.

I bought my daughters suits for sixth form on eBay - mostly next ones, make sure machine washable, but looked quite nicely cut for a 17 year old and easy to look after

Yes, students have to wear match jacket and bottom half

I thought our Sixth was strict!

Could you order some things online and return what doesn't fit?

H&M often do surprisingly nice jackets, and you might be able to find matching bottoms.

They had some suits a few months ago in light fabric and pastel colours.

But the dress code is ridiculous! I presume it's so they look professional? I work in the City and I don't think I've seen a woman in a properly smart matching suit for a decade at least.

I'm glad mine went to a similar sixth form. Still got the grades but meant they didn't have a mass exodus to the nearest college by letting them dress like the young people that they are.

DD also went to a super-strict 6th form that insisted on "smart business dress". We got her a black blazer from Mango and a selection of dresses, trousers and round necked sweaters from H&M. She spent the 2nd half of yr12 and all of yr13 in vintage 1980s power suits found in charity shops and looked awesome.

She spent the 2nd half of yr12 and all of yr13 in vintage 1980s power suits found in charity shops and looked awesome.

That's fabulous Piddle!

Our can wear jeans as long as no rips.

Thank the lord

I know she has to match top and bottom- but there is no reason why you can’t buy some black blazers from h and m and a few black skirts and skinny trousers from asos or wherever.

she doesn’t need a moss bros two piece job

as long as it is a jacket and skirt/trouser combo, she’ll be fine

Bonkers! As the dress code in the working world becomes increasingly casual schools continue to lag behind.
Rules for the sake of rules.

It was her best attempt at rebellion. Nothing the school could say - absolutely following the ridiculous rules but definitely taking them seriously.

Brilliant! I hate these pointless dress codes!

I agree it's bonkers -especially if studying art or drama. The sixth forms near me insist on suits (high heels and bow ties are a acceptable at one school ) - I'm told Matan do some nice inexpensive suits

I've never heard of uniform in 6th form, the freedom of wearing my own clothes was amazing after yrs of uniform.

Oh I love the 80's power suits vibe! Amazing.

My dd often wears grey tracksuit bottoms with her grey hoodie....does that count?

She is predicted three As in her three proper subjects and her AQA and has fantastic offers from RG universities though so all is well.

I think going to a sixth form college has been an excellent preparation for university life for her.

Ha! I didn't need to get a suit for DD, but did need overalls, work trousers and work boots!

I had no idea this was a thing in some schools, my DD's school is all jeans and leggings in sixth form. You can pick up suits anywhere, fast fashion including Pretty Little Thing and I Saw It First but I think I'd look to Mango, Zara and H&M for modern but more tailored looks.

Wow I didn’t know this was a thing it’s all casual dress down at the two huge colleges near us. My DD goes next year she can’t wait to not wear uniform.

@LynetteScavo
High heels. Crikey. They are a way past the times!!

As a PP has said, DD had a black blazer from H&M and then just mixed and matched any black bottoms - ASOS trousers, Zara skirts, etc. The suit requirement was actually taken somewhat less seriously than we’d originally envisioned (very formal sixth form) when I went out and bought her 3 matching suits! She could easily get away with Zara jumpers or plain long sleeve tops she already had, H&M blazer and any black bottoms.

Yes, heels is just weird. And very dated.

I agree with @Suprima. Get some black blazers and whatever she likes wearing on the bottom half. Let her make it her own a bit.

Wowsers, matching tops and bottoms is insane. I literally don't think I have ever worn a matching suit at work.

I'm really liking the 80s power suit idea personally!

Maybe you could accept getting black skirts from one place and a black jacket from another or whatever? I don't think the school will be checking labels and it allows you to get a better fit.