School insists skirt is too short

[yesterdaystotalsteps123]

Dd doesn't like wearing trousers and has been told her skirt from Y6 that still fits her is too short. Fair enough I ordered a sensible one from Amazon, it is just above her knees and school are still saying it's too short! Wtf?? How can I address this?

I've posted in feminism because I feel it's a wider issue of sexism

I've posted in feminism because I feel it's a wider issue of sexism

Too short for what? Ask them what it needs to be longer for? What does that achieve?

Knee length/just above knee sounds fine. Are they going to admit to employing male staff who are attracted to children?

What does the school dress code say?

Is there an exact wording in the dress code?

What's the school dress code?

Strange, I’ve never met any woman/girl who had a complete aversion to wearing trousers? Is it a sensory issue?

Her choice, obviously, and it sounds like the school are being petty if they are saying past her knee is too short.

But trousers are infinitely more practical/comfortable. I don’t think any of DD’s friends have ever worn a skirt at school. But then they are all sporty types that like to play football at break time.

Strange, I’ve never met any woman/girl who had a complete aversion to wearing trousers?

I’m not keen on them. I‘ll wear them if practicality dictates, but would always choose a dress from choice as I find them much more comfortable. My DD is much the same, actually.

Just above the knee sounds totally fine - I think you need to ask the school to specify - in minute detail - what the uniform code says and where it says it. No problem with there being such a thing (and a specification about length), but it all sounds a bit arbitrary from what you’ve said.

A skirt just above the knee is obviously fine, unless they have a below the knee policy. I would check that your daughter is wearing it the same at school as when she leaves home in the morning. I.e. not rolling it up at the waistband or anything similar.

Obviously it's fine for girls to wear skirts, some prefer them to trousers.

I dont like trousers much either and hated them when I was young. I would have hated wearing trousers to school.

I also hate school uniform rules, and can’t see anything wrong with a skirt of that length, indeed I support the right of the pupils round here to wear the teeny ones much moaned about.

I seem to have a lot of hate in my post 😂 I’m a woman of peace really

Strange, I’ve never met any woman/girl who had a complete aversion to wearing trousers?

Me. I have wide hips and upper thighs and a smallish, high waist. Anything that goes over my hips gaps at my waist. Trousers tend to drop below the waist - dreadful fit. The fat in my upper thighs makes trousers restrictive and uncomfortable. Dresses and skirts are so much more comfortable and practical. I put them one and just get on with my life.

What are the rules in the school dress code?

Haven't worn trousers for 10 years. Hate them. Uncomfortable for me. Unflattering unless 👌fit. I wear dresses, skirts, tights leggings, tunics.

Unless there's a rule the should worry about the other shit going down in the world. If there is a rule I'd examine it for sexism and make my points to school, then let DD choose if she wants to wear it or the new skirt.

Great time to explain the reasons why they might ask her to wear a longer one, her right to wear her one if its within rules, and why it's someone else's problem if they can't deal with a girls legs.

Yr 6 and primary boys at my DCs school wear shorts with the length way above the knees and this doesn’t seem to be an issue. Is this the same in your school? At some schools, there seems to be one rule for boys legs and one rule for girls legs. They have to be consistent for all children.

Are they going to admit to employing male staff who are attracted to children?

This seems to be the only reason for any inconsistency in approach if boys can wear uniform above the knees but girls cannot...

Policy states "skirts should finish at or below the knee" hers was just above plus she was wearing thick tights. They made her wear trousers tied with hair bobbles from their own uniform supply when she wore her Y6 skirt which is pretty gross, who knows if they've ever been washed. I just don't understand why society starts having an opinion on how females dress from age 11. I'm fuming

Well if her skirt doesn’t finish at or below the knee then it doesn’t meet the guidance so she needs a longer skirt. Can you let the hem down.

So her skirt is too short if that is their policy.

When school rules like this exist, I always question their purpose, and whether they also apply to teachers.

How can girls run or walk if there skirt is actually over their knee? I would draw a diagram but the skirt was just above, there was no thigh on show, not that that should be a problem as @thinendofthewedge makes a good point about how boys' knees aren't offensive but girls knees in tights are and should be covered

My dd1 wore trousers or skirt depending on subjects, science days were trouser days. Dd2 never wore trousers to school, she's an engineer and mostly wears trousers to work.
The school specified one style of uniform trousers, I'll fitting trousers can be really uncomfortable.
Skirt length was a battle though.

I’d just like to clarify I don’t agree with the policy as yes girls knees are not offensive/provocative etc.

But this IS their policy that they are entitled to have and you signed up for when enrolling her at the school.

Just follow the school dress code. And yes you can run in a full length regular skirt.

If boys are allowed shorts above the knees but girls are not then that’s when the difference comes in. It’s pretty standard to have skirts on the knee or below or trousers with most boys only having the option of trousers. I’m also not sure how a bit longer stops you running unless they are pencil skirts with no stretch - which of course they may be.

@yesterdaystotalsteps123

Policy states "skirts should finish at or below the knee" hers was just above plus she was wearing thick tights. They made her wear trousers tied with hair bobbles from their own uniform supply when she wore her Y6 skirt which is pretty gross, who knows if they've ever been washed. I just don't understand why society starts having an opinion on how females dress from age 11. I'm fuming

Are the boys permitted to wear their trousers low so their underwear is on show? I thought it had gone out of fashion until I got off the his behind a guy with a green pants class ass hanging out his joggers. Anyway, I digress. Are there rules for the boys? Do they have to wear certain items too? If so you're daughter isn't the only one having her dress sense curtailed.

And you no one cares about boys rights because their male and everything goes their way in society and they will never be impressed etc.

But the point is of you sent a son in flashing his underwear they'd presumably pull him up too.

As for whether "just above" the knee is too short or not is subjective and the idea that you'll buy a new skirt every time she grows an inch is ridiculous. Bit it probably is why they don't want girls starting with quite short skirts that will be miniskirts in a few inches of growth spurt.

As for whether it should be socially acceptable for female to go out flashing their knickers and bras with impunity, well that's a bigger arguement.

I'd try and get her one just past her knee so it won't be really short ina few months