Any suggestions for work experience clothes for 15 yr old with sensory issues?

[RenegadeKeeblerElf]

DD is doing work experience soon, she'll be doing it at her old primary school. They've said no jeans or leggings which is fair enough, but proving difficult due to her limitations in what she is happy to wear. She basically lives in leggings, wears jeans very reluctantly for mufti days as school also says no leggings. Flat no to any other kind of trousers. She's happy in skirts and tights but won't wear anything below knee length. Due to current fashion trends the only other skirts we can find in shops are mid thigh and she is worried they would be inappropriate due to being too short. We've looked at some dresses but she is very fussy about what styles she will wear, won't wear anything floaty or not fitted around the bodice/waist as she doesn't like loose clothing. Can anyone suggest somewhere (cheap!) I can look for knee length skirts that a 15 year old would be happy to wear?

I'm not sure sorry but would she be able to tolerate longer or looser skirts if she wore leggings or cycling shorts underneath so it's not tickling her legs?

Actually just looked and there's quite a few if you type pencil skirt into the H&M app. Seemed to be a few different lengths.

Sadly she rejects pencil skirts too as her school uniform is a pencil skirt and so they are 'school skirts' only in her mind. She likes skater type skirts (it's only around the torso that dresses need to be fitted) or shorter straight skirts. We have found a longer wrap skirt that she already owns which she is happy to wear so that's one outfit sorted at least!

I feel I'm going to be dismissing quite a few good suggestions on this thread as she is so specific about what she will wear so I will apologise for that in advance, and I do appreciate any suggestions. Just be glad you don't have to take her shopping!

What does she normally wear to school?

She should get some trousers that are basically leggings but thicker fabric, like jeggings. Nobody would question them. Leggings are generally not allowed because they’re thin and see through. She’d only need one pair for a week.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/FQ2983?istCompanyId=9f9ff470-bcac-401b-814f-8f12edbd3b8b&istFeedId=d66f05e8-0145-4833-93eb-995bd3c15e0b&istItemId=plqaaammw&istBid=t&&&&&ds_rl=1260413&ds_rl=1260413&gclid=CjwKCAjwjYKjBhB5EiwAiFdSfnUqDRBrx-KVGtmW_PDkh5i_ei_FeY3i1XFDWG8tEdg0zKBvMtQQuRoCjKYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

What about something like this?

Unfortunately she won't agree to that due to anxiety - she'd be too worried that they would be classed as leggings - we've had the same issue with school mufti days.

I'd suggest searching for ponte trousers - they're what she'd recognise as a legging like fit and feel but are cut as a trouser so would still look smart for work. Good luck!!

That could work, I'll show her in the morning

I think we saw some of those in Sainsbury's today, she objected to the seam up the middle.

I feel your pain also having a DD with sensory issues!

Would she tolerate a stretchy pair of slim leg trousers - something that is effectively a thick pair of leggings, maybe with a false button and fly? If they were cigarette length they would look quite smart but hopefully feel like leggings.

Failing that, what about an actual pair of leggings in a decent material and a smart print like houndstooth? As long as her top covers the waistband I can't see that it would be questioned.

Sorry just read your reply above

Uniform - pencil skirt (which she hates, but not enough to consider trousers instead!) blouse, blazer. The skirt has a logo so wouldn't be suitable to wear for work experience.

Stretchy slim leg trousers could work, I'll keep that in mind

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

What about something like this? I can only wear soft stuff due to sensory issues and pain (Fibro) and I find them comfy enough.

Having worked in schools for years, I suspect its wearing just leggings the school mean when they say no leggings, could you ask them to confirm if a skirt with leggings underneath is okay? That way she could wear the slightly shorter skirts she has found, because with leggings they wouldn't look too short for being tidy enough for a school environment.

I think with those the issue would be that they are loose around the ankle. If we can find some that are slim leg that could work.

I agree, hopefully her anxiety might allow this. I've told her to think back to what her primary school teachers wore which has helped as they sometimes wore things like that.

I'm going to sleep now but will check back in the morning in case anyone has any more ideas, I'm finding them all helpful even if it doesn't seem like it!

Any better? I have these too! Can look smart and casual!

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-tapered-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60589345?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Does she have a diagnosis of anything OP that causes the sensory issues? Because really I think it would be a reasonable adjustment to allow her to wear leggings.

Is it her actual school imposing this or the primary school itself? As I can understand the secondary school not wanting them to turn up at offices in leggings, but actually for primary school teachers it's quite normal attire! Especially with a jersey dress over the top. But I would sometimes see them in full gym gear. They have to be comfy at a primary school, able to crouch down, move around freely

I would say wear tights and skirts as long as said skirt is not too short, over the knee should be fine imo. Or a cord pinafore dress.

My dd did WE in the library and had a similar dress code. Leggings were OK with a tunic over it. They basically wanted everyone dressing like a middle aged woman.

This. I work in schools and many, many staff wear something like this. Depending on how strict the individual school is, maybe go for ones which have pockets to classify them as "trousers" but they absolutely feel like thick leggings. Gap used to be good for this

"No leggings" is really to prevent see through trousers, visible thong tops and riding up the arse styles.

Thanks all, we'll explore some thicker leggings but I do want to try and find some longer skirts. There is a definite lack of knee length skirts in shops at the moment so if anyone can find anywhere selling them I'd appreciate suggestions! To answer a question, no diagnosis as it is hard to get referrals when the issues don't present at school, but the dress code has come from the primary school rather than her own school on this occasion.

White Stuff has quite a few knee length skirts that I think would be school appropriate. There are lots on Vinted.

Or how about a pinafore dress with tights or leggings?

Or Uniqlo jeggings which look like trousers but are really soft and stretchy?

Seasalt also - lots of non-pencil knee length skirts, any of which could easily be worn in a primary school.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/clothing/skirts?productlisttorder=newstoodate&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsIejBhDOARIsANYqkD2GDos7dlWkX-i6xCxz1Vxvy4fEgiPAVxzbegCunKeDGvLEN55mhR8aAgeCEALw_wcB

Have you looked on Vinted or eBay? You mention lack of knee length skirts in shops but all sorts of past styles and seasons if you get secondhand