How much uniform do I need?

[TribbleNamedDave]

So, how much uniform should I be buying for dc1 who is due to start reception in September?

[CharlesRyder]

I would say 3 of everything so you only have to wash once a week.

[morethanpotatoprints]

As much as you can afford and as big as you can buy without him/her looking daft.
They get so mucky and unless you want to be washing every night it is worth getting a few more items.
What is the uniform and boy or girl?

[mrsmortis]

We have 3 pinafores, 2 cardigans and 6 polo shirts which means we can go a week between washes and there is a spare for emergencies. I'd get plenty of socks though as they have a tendency to go walkies...

[noramum]

We started with 3 of each and after 1 term I bought to have 5 of each.

They come home muddy in autumn, wearing food on the cardigans, have paint all over (despite providing an apron).

I work so washing on Wednesday morning to have it dry in the evening was not an option. I now do one dark and one white wash Friday evening and everything is ready on Sunday.

I also have socks and tights 5x.

Don't forget to stock on a large supply of mittens and hats. Ideally get the same mittens so you don't worry if only the right one comes back. Also, invest in two coats. We had more than one time that DD came home so muddy that it needed a good wash and you obviously also need something to wear at the weekend.

[TeenAndTween]

Agree re the mittens, loads all the same.

My DDs must be very clean, I've only ever had
2 polo shirts,
1 skirt & 1 trousers,
1 jumper & 1 cardigan.

• 2 summer dresses
  
  
  And only 1 winter coat. I think people with 2 coats don't notice when they lose them (if the number of coats in our primary lost property is anything to go by).
  
  But then, I don't feel a need to wash clothes every day regardless.

[Ver1tyPushpram]

In reception I had five full sets of uniform because of paint, dinner splats, mud but I got it down to three sets by year 6, one on, one in the wash and one spare for emergencies.

So far DD has managed with two sets for High School, which I'm grateful for as it's flippin' expensive.

[isittheholidaysyet]

I have a lot, but I have 3 ds's so I know it will get worn eventually! I'm slow at washing as well.
Trousers come in 2 packs, so they have 4, but really 3 would be enough.
Shirts (in tesco) come in 3 packs, so they have 6, but 5 would be enough.(they never survive to be handed down)
2 logoed jumpers and spare cheap one from a supermarket.
10 pairs socks all identical. One winter coat (which is their only coat).and a blazer for summer in our school.

On an average week they wear 2 pairs trousers, 2/3 shirts, 2 jumpers. But sometimes they need far more (with recent hot weather they've had clean everyday), and sometimes I don't manage to wash at the weekend.

When DD starts I'll make sure she has 2 decent jumpers and skirts and new shirts, then I'm collecting a load of second hand for spare.

[FutureBoardingParent]

Remember you don't have to buy everything the same size. Eg, if you normally do a wash midweek but don't want to absolutely have to, you can buy enough for half a week in the currently ideal size, plus some more in a size which is currently too big, but not completely unwearable, for emergencies ie you not having done the washing. Later, the bigger size becomes the normally used stuff and the old bit-too-small stuff becomes the "only for emergencies" uniform, and repeat.

[noramum]

TeenandTwen - I wonder about the coats, how can a child not realise that the coat is left behind, our lost property box is often overflowing.

DD has several coats/jackets. She has at least 2 for each season plus a pack away raincoat and a school fleece. She doesn't have a school coat, she can wear what she wants but I would never rely on just one, it has to be washed at one point in time.

[Fififififi]

Enough for a complete change everyday then you only have to wash at the weekend. Cheap supermarket clothes have lasted dd all year ( and have cone back covered in paint/ playdoh/ dinner each day).

[TheUnwillingNarcheska]

It depends on your child, Ds1 could have worn the same uniform for a week, ds2 needed a clean set every single day.

But basically because of all the 3 for 2 offers, we were canny at the checkout so I went through with 3 pair of M&S trousers so got a £7 pair of trousers free, not the £1.50 plimsolls.

That meant we had 5 pairs of trousers, 6 polo shirts (because they are in a 2 pack or 3 pack) and 5 jumpers (Asda at £2 a jumper)