How many of each item of uniform?

[MrsFogi]

I have no doubt this has been asked elsewhere but I cannot find a thread. I am about to buy dd's uniform for reception. When I was at school I had one pinafore and two shirts for the week. Dh tells me this is verging on neglect and dd will need 2 pinafores and 5 shirts. The uniform is expensive and I don't want to buy more than necessary. So, those with experience of these things (as I am a first-timer with uniform) - how many shirts and pinafores?
Also, do I need to buy anything other than a pencil case and a few pencils for reception?

[Wilts]

My Dc's have five of everything but they are dirt magnets and would never get two wears out of uniform.

If state school then she won't even need pens etc for reception.

[Tortoise]

DD's have 2 pairs of trousers and a few pinafores or skirts plus 4 polo shirts. (Ended up with extra because i found some in a charity shop!)

Don't need pencil cases etc until secondary school here.

They also have a lunch box even though they have free school meals because they might need it if they go on a trip. And a ruck sack because they like to carry their own book bags etc.

[Tortoise]

Oh and 3 jumpers or cardigans.

[AMumInScotland]

It sort of depends really - how messy is your child, and how often do you want to have to wash things?

DS needed a clean shirt every day, but his trousers and sweatshirt would usually make it through the week. So, he had 2 pairs of trousers and 2 sweatshirts plus 6 shirts, and I only had to wash them once a week.

If you don't mind running a wash more often you can get away with less shirts/blouses.

[tribpot]

MrsFogi, here's a recent-ish thread, hope it's helpful.

For reception kids I found the school's smallest size (for jumpers etc) was pretty massive on them, so I'm looking at getting another year's wear out of them for ds, who starts Year 1 shortly. But as mentioned on the other thread, the logo'd polo shirts didn't last nearly as well as the M&S stainguard shirts so I'll be going for them again.

[MrsJohnDeere]

I've gone for:

5 polo shirts
3 sweatshirts
3 pairs trousers
1 pair PE shorts
1 pair tracksuit bottoms
2 PE t shirts
1 pair school shoes
1 pair school wellies (rural school, lots of nature walks)
1 pair plimsolls (indoor PE)
1 pair trainers (outdoor PE)
1 pair waterproof trousers
10 pairs school type socks

Mine is only doing half days for the first few weeks and I can always add to it if need be.

[Seona1973]

dd has:

5 polo shirts
3 skirts
3 pairs trousers
2 pairs PE shorts (from last year-bought near end of term)
1 pair school shoes
1 pair indoor shoes (trainers-they change in and out of them to go for playtime, lunch, etc)
9 pairs socks
some tights from last year
1 school logo jacket

[Seona1973]

p.s. only bought 1 logo jumper as she tends to remove it when she gets to class and then it gets stuffed in her schoolbag (or under her chair!!)

She has 2 cardigans from last year too that barely got worn.

[greentriangle]

DS has 4 polos

[MrsFogi]

Aha my mother was clearly washing during the week or I was an exceptionally clean child then . I don't want to be washing during the week so it sounds like I'm going to have to admit that dh (on this occasion only) may have been on the right lines.

[4andnotout]

3 School uniform polo's
2 " " sweatshirts
1 p.e white school polo
1 pe white school t shirt
2 trousers
1 skirt
1 tracksuit
1 trainers
1 shoes
1 school coat (from last year)

Our school has 1 day a week when they all go swimming or do pe so all wear a tracksuit all day and so only wear full uniform 4 days a week.

[dikkertjedap]

6 plain white polos
2 trousers
1 skirt
2 pinafores
2 cardigans with logo
3 sweatshirts with logo (warmer than cardigan)
1 fleece jacket with logo
1 thin breathable rain jacket
1 warm waterproof winter jacket (they are taught at least 50% outside whatever the weather)
wellies
school sandals (from this Spring, but still fit)
closed school shoes for when colder
4 pair of tights
10 pair of socks
book bag with logo
PE bag with logo
bag for spare clothes
2 pairs of PE shorts
2 PE T-shirts with logo
jogging pants
plimsolls
gloves
scarf
hat
water bottle
lunch bag with bottle

I intend to make two pairs of extra trousers during first week when she is at school. I like her to have one complete outfit in her spare clothes bag at school just in case as she is only 4.

[Hulababy]

DD has 2 summer dresses and one cardi for her summer uniform. She has 2 skirts, 4 shirts, 2 ties, one cardi and several pairs of tights for winter. hen smaller she had two pinafores rather than skirts.

[Oneandnomore]

Don't forget that children do things that we would never dream of...dd uses the elbow of her cardigans to make a pattern in the play doh! So I always buy one extra now.

[ArthuriaAugustaDArcy]

Y1 DD has five summer dresses and three cardis for summer. She has a big brother, though, so gets very, very muddy and grass-stained. She has five white shirts, three cardis and two kilts (yes, kilts) for winter. I will not wash kilts on a daily basis regardless of how much mud they accumulate (a fair bit, as she bikes to school in the rain).

Plus there's all the PE/swimming/football stuff, plus blazer, coat, bags, and endless other stuff. I don't buy optional accessories (gloves, hats, sunhats etc) as they are so ridiculously expensive.

Y3 DS has five shirts, three pairs of trousers, three jumpers, two ties and all the PE/swimming stuff. Plus blazer, coat etc. He has to have a pencil case with fountain pen, pencils, gel pens, etc in it.

I get most uniform second hand. Blazers alone are £100 new!

I think your DH is right, OP.

[SolidGoldBrass]

OK my DS has just finished his reception year and having done that year my recommendations would be -
5 shirts/polo shirts/whatever is acceptable in the school
2 pairs trousers
2 jumpers/cardigans/sweatshirts (depending on school).
Because unless your child is unnaturally neat and clean, s/he will need a clean shirt every day and will make a diabolical mess of either trousers/skirt or jumper, or both, at least once a week.

[MollieO]

I went for 3 of everything for day to day wear - shirts, sweatshirt, shorts and one of everything else plus 6 pairs of school socks (they come in packs of three pairs). I do one midweek wash on Tuesdays which seems to work well.

[DreamTeamGirl]

Oh goodness I have loads, but then he can never wear anything more than once, plus I keep a full set in his bag for 'mistakes'

I bought all the trousers from the school 50p box after he out grew every single pair by Christmas (darn child!)

I think I have 7 polo shirts, 8 trousers, 3 jumpers - the jumpers mostly come off as he walks in so they are easier