to object to this type of invitation?

This happened at our DGCs' school and I had similar mixed feelings. No-one seemed to object, indeed, I think many were grateful for guidance.
At a tactful school (and ours is excellent) someone will be making sure that there will be a quiet word to anyone who is struggling to find something appropriate. Mostly though, it is not about cost (there are only a very few who don't have / can't get plain trousers & shirt from a charity shop) but about the kind of inappropriate dressing described above.
Personally, I don't really care, but as posters have pointed out, a 'laissez-faire' attitude may mean the kids have no idea as they get older, and it can hamper them.

Having said that, when our kids were at school, in a very mixed area, the parents dressed appropriately, apart from one dad who was an 'on call' breakdown driver. We all knew this, he was as neat and clean as possible, given he was in work clothing, and we were glad to see him there. Easier for the district nurses and midwives whose 'on call' clothes looked more normal.

I also think there may be some children whose parents don't want to support such events, and I hope the school can be helpful (it was, as many of us recall, always thus)

As for Tedber's point - they had a choice as to whether to book that holiday or another one!

Jura2, we're not too much in disagreement as I wear whatever I like but for an administrative, customer-facing role the 'rules' still apply, unfortunately. Sometimes I'll dress very smartly and other times casually (never boringly) depending on the weather, my mood and where I'm going. I must admit, though, to an aversion to the baring of flesh (except on a beach). I shouldn't mind but find it repulsive!

Well done to your GS for winning his science prize?. The parents are lucky they were invited. GS went to a school sports excellence awards ceremony last night at a local hotel and parents were not invited. They were accompanied only by teachers. As their school uniform is a non blazer affair, they were asked to wear either a suit or some smart clothing and I understand all the children were very well turned out. I assume that had parents been invited they too would have stepped up to the plate, but you never know. People’s attitudes to what is acceptable dress are very different. I never get upset about dress codes. I hope your GS enjoyed his evening.

If we expect our children to have an acceptable level of standard in their uniform, then parents should act as the role model and do the same.

Who knows if it’s a case of being able to afford new clothes? The parents that can’t afford them don’t tend to advertise the fact. Not adhering to a dress will be a for a myriad of reasons as I said in that post.

jura I’m really surprised that you gave someone who turned up to a job interview dressed in similar clothes to a vest top and shorts. We’re a pretty casual team (although professional) but I wouldn’t give a job someone who couldn’t be bothered to make the effort with their clothes at an interview - even if they have a great interview (although we always have a huge number of applicants so they all tend to be great candidates by the time they’re at interview stage). The rule of thumb is dress more formally for interviews and then scale down to fit the team once you’re in the job. She was taking a real chance there!

I too think you ABU kitty. Why would it offend you? IF you turned up in your scruff and people were dressed nicely wouldn't you then ask why you weren't informed of a dress code? Dress code doesn't mean expensive, it just means putting a little effort into it and in my book it is showing respect to these lovely young people in the same way you dress for a wedding or funeral i.e. to show respect.

Recently on holiday there was a simple dress code for evening meals and I was appalled at the amount of people grumbling that the couldn't wear their swimwear! Another topic but some people will just argue for the sake of arguing when there is nothing to get upset about.

Congratulations to your DGS and I am sure you will do him proud.

I don't think it's about "affording new clothes" at all . It's probably more a case of "please do not turn up in shorts or pj's" .

I am just happy to get an invite!!!

I'm with Kitty on this one - it's not for the school to suggest a dress code for such an event.

It was probably aimed at the vest & short wearers who'll take no notice, or likely not turn up anyway.

Jura2, company offices are places where the customers of the company often visit. What they see in the persons that work there can then affect work gained and in that everyone's future employment.

Therefore how the staff look and dress in those offices is important to all, and in that no one person or minor grouping should be allowed to jeopardise the future of all.

I would not object to smart casual dress for parents. I work with people who some people would describe as not in a good financial situation, but they are clean, tidy and they dress appropriately.
Why look for Some thing to be offended by. Smart casual is often put on invites for social occasions. I find it patronising to even bring people's social status into it.

It's a shame that a school has to direct parents/carers in their dress code but sadly its probably just a reflection of society today. At my DGC's primary there are parents who bring their children to school in the most inappropriate clothes and wouldn't think for one minute that they should dress any differently for a prestigious event. I'm not saying that this is what happens at your DGS's school kitty . Oh and very well done to him for winning the Science prize. My son won a Science prize when he was 11 and was treat to a VIP day at a power station. He was in his element, no coincidence that he went on to be an Electrician.

Bearing in mind I recently saw two women in the supermarket wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns at 2.00pm perhaps the school have had previous experience of parents not knowing what was suitable.

Is it maybe the venue that is specifying the dress code kitty not the school?

Hetty58 'I once had the pleasure of being on a panel interviewing a 'young lady' for a university job. She wore a vest top (no bra), tiny shorts and flip-flops. She had an impressive selection of piercings and tattoos. (Dare I add 'She was a big girl' too?) Although very well qualified we rejected her application on the assumption that she didn't really want the job!'

how sad - she probably would have been excellent, and as you said, well qualified. Had a similar experience and gave the person the job, as she interviewed brilliantly, had great experience and a fabulous personality. Once she had settled in, I asked why she dressed like that for the interview. She laughed and said 'isn't it obvious' and went on 'I truly don't want to workk for narrow-minded people who can't see past the 'uniform' and it worked, no?' She was amazing.

Smart causual is perfectly acceptable I think. It cover a lot of scope. It's not like they are saying Evening Wear only.

I agree kitty. I can understand that the school wants to make this a special occasion and perhaps a dress code will focus the attention of some parents, but there will be some who don’t understand smart casual, or can’t afford new clothes for the family, or who will make a point by turning up in whatever they like. I hope that their attendance will be seen as the most important thing - and that the attention will be on the pupils rather than the parents choice of clothing.

Schools have to be very image conscious now. They have endless problems recruiting appropriate staff too. Therefore, they tend to regularly set a bad example by using a blatantly disrespectful, dictatorial tone with students and parents alike. Of course people know how to dress - or don't care. Instructions make no difference.

I once had the pleasure of being on a panel interviewing a 'young lady' for a university job. She wore a vest top (no bra), tiny shorts and flip-flops. She had an impressive selection of piercings and tattoos. (Dare I add 'She was a big girl' too?) Although very well qualified we rejected her application on the assumption that she didn't really want the job!

I agree kitty what does it matter what they wear? People are much too worried about appearances. This type of invitation really stresses my DH what does smart casual actually mean anyway? He has casual clothes ie jeans and smart clothes ie suits or smart trousers and jackets he doesn't have anything in between so never knows what to wear!
What matters is that the children's loved ones will be there to celebrate with them. Congratulations and i hope you all enjoy it.

Dora, you will see from the OP that I said we are all very proud of him. DH is particularly proud as the science gene missed our children totally.

Our own grandchildren are very privileged in lots of ways but I wonder how embarrassed the less privileged children feel if their they know that their parents either will not or cannot conform.

I think it's a bit much for a school. Are all the local dignitaries going to be there? The Mayor with his chain of office? Local lord of the manor?

Just welcome the parents as they are I say.

At my daughters graduation a mother arrived in a sequinned dress and stilettos.
A dress code is acceptable and takes out the guess work for the less worldly parents.

So your grandson has won a prize which is to be presented at an awards evening, and your take away from this is.....to be annoyed by the letter outlining the evening? I was a teacher and was often surprised at how a minority of parents would turn up for school events, even when they were held in our local church, so, yes I do think it was a good idea for the school to indicate appropriate wear. As a previous poster said, the school is recognising the importance of this occasion for the children, and treating them with respect, and they hope the parents will too.

I have to agree that the statement of an appropriate dress code is acceptable on such an occasion as that under discussion. In the not too distant past, people seemed to have a better knowledge of what is appropriate wear for such events. However, that knowledge and acceptance now seems to have been lost.

Indeed the lack of any sense of "suitability and smartness" in clothing, Is I feel a sad loss to our society, especially within my own gender, that being men. These days in pubs and restaurants men are all too often to be seen in shorts, flip-flops and slogan tee shirts that look as if they have been worn for many days without even being washed.

With women, the situation is better I believe, but even in that you still see on occasion instances of inappropriate dress, especially at funerals etc.

In workplace offices, the code of men having to wear suits and ties was generally relaxed a few years ago. However, many companies have now reinstated a written dress code of "smart casual" for both genders and laid out precisely what that clothing should consist of.

Many employers feel that they have been made to enforce the above due to the abuse that has taken place in recent times of the relaxation of the previous more strict dress code rules.

Of course the school would not turn anyone away! They are not the police. It’s an attempt to give this event the decorum and respect it deserves to make the children feel special. It may make a few people think and consider to find their best clothes in the wardrobe.
To feel that they have been dictated to and wear something totally inappropriate is only embarrassing for the children and the sign of someone who has not grown up.
I thought “feeling offended” about everything was a snowflake generation problem and not a baby boomer one.
There are real problems in this world.