Primary uniform - polo shirts - poly cotton or 100% cotton which wears/washes better?

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Ds1 starting primary school in Sept. At the parents intro night last month I managed to avoid the stampede to order school logo'd polo shirts at £8 each...

I thought I'd just get some normal simple white or blue polo shirts but am confused by all the different textiles they are made of.

Generally I like to only wear cotton or linen myself, and most of the ds's clothes are cotton. The polo shirts come in anything from 65%polyester35%cotton mix, up to 100% cotton. One shop today said his polycotton ones are the best on the market teflon coated but the fabric felt awful, really artificial and slippy.

I like to give things a good wash and hang out to brighten up.

So, which lasts longest and stays whitest.

Teflon Coated poly cotton, or 100% cotton?

Asda 50 polo shirts for a pound () cheap enough to replace if they go crappy or m&s/debenhams more expensive to hopefully last longer?

[caramelwaffle]

bump

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I buy the 100% cotton ones from Next, they wash and dry well and last for ages. Adams ones are ok as well.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Thanks I will try Next, I didn't know they did them.

Adams went bump in January, I hope you aren't looking for adams in September

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Adams are still trading online but have little schoolwear - shame as I love their jumpers as DS needs knitted cotton ones rather than sweatshirt type ones.

[oregonianabroad]

same question, and also about boys' trousers, anyone????

[thirtypence]

If you are going white then 100% cotton all the way. Nicer to wear and bleach back to white in the wash.

If you had said colours - especially a bright colour like red then if you want them to stay looking good it needs to be poly cotton.

I just got the cheapie cotton ones from Tesco and they would have needed replacing more regularly than ds grew out of them. Thankfully he changed schools and looks smart.

[brimfull]

I think the best are the m&s ones with stain away stuff on them
They come up small I get a 7-8 for ds who is a small 6 though

[oregonianabroad]

I think M&S has 3 for 2 on all school wear now too. I wonder how long that will last for?

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I have had a look at Next the prices look good and they also have the pale blue which is the 'alternative' colour for the school.

They do the gym pumps too so thats turned into a bit of a one stop shop!

I'm not planning on Next for trousers for ds1 as he is very tall and very very slim build, their trousers are always quite a generous cut and look like clown pants on him! I always buy him trousers from places like Ethel Austin and Primark - cheaper brands are skimpier on fabric and end up a slimmer fit

I got some trousers from Sainsbos I think they were 2 pairs for a fiver and seem nice fabric and decent quality.

With my ds and trousers I'm going for the cheaper option as ds1 goes through knees but refuses to wear shorts.

Does anyone know how the next school wear sizes come up? Ds is tall for 4 but so narrow shouldered he is still in age 3-4 tops!

[bodiddly]

Ive been reading all the starting school threads on here about uniform and settling sessions and have realised we haven't heard from ds' school! When I phoned last month to ask whether he would start full days or half I was told there would be a meeting in July. It all seems a little late compared to everyone on here!

[KEAWYED]

I bought the Asda ones in abundance, They were CRAP.

They ironed terribly, that was my main bug bare.

I got the official school t-shirts in the end and they have been excellent.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Flibberty, my DS is tiny for his age (6) and like a rake. I buy a size below in polo shirts and jumpers - both are narrow fitting.

The "flat front" trousers are a slim fit and have an adjustable waist. He's in age 3 for those but will need the next size up come september. The length of the size 3 is the same as a 3-4 so easy to work out sizes. They have lasted all year and are just getting a tiny bit too short.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Blimey bodiddley that does seem late!

We heard in March and have been to a parents info evening.

Keawyed, did you notice the asda ad with all the uniforms on, they keep saying 'asda quality uniform' which I suspect means not 'good quality uniform' but 'usual asda crap quality'

There are some very nice very reasonably school shoes on the M&s site - does anyone know if marks boys shoes favour a narrow fitting?

But I have realised if I do the 3 for 2 offer NOT to buy any gym pumps or socks as they will probably end up being the free item!

[thirtypence]

If you shop in store just insist that they make 10 different transactions one for tops, one for socks etc. That usually miraculously sorts the till out!

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Nah, I'll get the socks and pumps from primark

[zeke]

I agree about next. I get all on DS's non-logo uniform there. It washes and irons really well. His polo shirts (white and still white!) are 100% cotton.

[zeke]

As for next sizing...

My DS is 4.11 and he is Mr average (50th percentile). He started off the school year (4.2) in age three trousers and age four polo shirts. He went up to age four trousers after about half a term and age five polo shirts about a term (old-fashioned terms!), and is still in those.

He has some M & S shorts and these seem much smaller in comparison with the waist. I got age four and five in the shorts and the age four he cannot get on and the age five a pretty tight. So, I think next are a bit bigger than M&S with their sizes.

[ivy30]

Does anyone know where can I get the cotton summer dress for reception year girl?
I would not wear synthetics myself and I would not want my daugther to wear polyester the whole day long too. Also, dd would not wear anything that gets even a little bit itchy or does not feel comfortable to her skin.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Thanks zeke, thats what I suspected about the next trousers. DS1 is tall for his age (4.5)but still in 3-4 trousers as they sit so low down on his skinny hips!

ivy30, I have boys but was wondering this myself when my friend showed me the dress she got her daughter for september. How can a SUMMER dress be synthetic, urgh.

If its the gingham type check fabric and you are handy with a needle (or know someone who is) you could get some cotton gingham and make your own?

My old school uniform in the 70's was 100% nylon blouses and summer dresses, we used to complain all the time. Cold and sweaty in winter, hot and sweaty in summer. The nuns didn't care, I think they picked dreadful uniforms on purpose out of spite.