12 of the best John Lewis school uniform staples
A new school year means a new school uniform and whether you have all the kit to buy or just have a few bits, you’ll want to make sure the clothes wear and wash well. To help you find good quality items, we’ve picked out some of the best essentials from the John Lewis school uniform range.
By Gemma Wilcock | Last updated Sep 26, 2023
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It’s that time of the year when one school year comes to an end and you have to start thinking about what you need to get ready for the next! While we may still be enjoying the summer, it’s never too early to get prepared, especially if you have multiple children to buy for.
John Lewis has everything you could need to get set for the new school term with their School Uniform Shop. From basic PE t-shirts to well fitting blazers, you’ll be able to find all your child’s uniform essentials. Don’t worry if your budget is tight as their ANYDAY range offers quality items at affordable prices.
As we do with all our product recommendations, we searched our Mumsnet forums to find out which products our users rate the most. We then combined this with consumer reviews to come up with a list of products you’ll want to add to your school uniform shop this year.
Here are the best John Lewis school uniform staples to buy for 2023.
School uniform essentials at John Lewis: quick look
Girls' Pleated School Tunic With Bow, from £10
Boys' Adjustable Waist Stain Resistant Slim Fit School Trousers, from £9
Girls' Adjustable Waist Stain Resistant A-Line School Skirt, from £9
Girls' Easy Care Open Neck Short Sleeve School Blouse, from £8
Girls' School Blazer, from £22
Boys’ School Blazer, from £22
Children's Wool Rich Socks, from £5
1. School Belted Gingham Checked Summer Dress
Price on writing: From £9 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 60% cotton, 40% recycled polyester | Size: 4 - 16 years | Colours: 7 | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Belt ties at the back
Elasticated waist for a better fit
Washes well
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
Our verdict
For the warmer months, this gingham dress will be a lovely addition to a girl’s uniform. The slim belt ties at the back so it doesn’t get in the way, while adding a bit of shape to the dress. We also like that the waist is elasticated for a better fit.
Customers say the dresses wash well too, an important factor when choosing a school uniform as you don’t want clothes that will fall apart after a couple of months of wear! The fit is true to size and it’s made from recycled polyester so as well as looking nice, the dresses are good quality while being better for the environment too! You only get one dress for the price though so you may need to buy another one to last through the summer term.
2. Girls' Pleated School Tunic With Bow
Price on writing: From £10 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 65% cotton, 30% polyester 5% elastane | Size: 3 - 13 years | Colours: Grey | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Cute bow detail
Stain resistant fabric
True to size
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
What Mumsnet users say
‘She prefers pinafores by far. Next and John Lewis are our preferred shops.’ UnLunDun
Our verdict
When it comes to picking a school uniform, it’s the little details that can make them stand out from the rest. We love the little additions to this grey tunic; the cute little bow on the raised waistline and the pleated detail to the skirt add a little something extra to your standard uniform.
True to size, the dress is a good fit, sitting on the knee line with a comfortable stretch around the waist. The material has also been made to be stain resistant, repelling water, oil and other stains to help the dress look smarter for longer. It dries quickly too, which is great if you have to do a last minute wash on a Sunday!
3. ANYDAY Opaque Tights
Price on writing: From £4 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 94% nylon, 6% elastane | Size: 2 - 15 years | Colours: 7 | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Twin-pack
Available in other colours
Good value
What to know
Some users say the material feels a bit thin
What Mumsnet users say
‘However you can't beat John Lewis for tights. They are more expensive but they last so much longer!’ LittleOwl153
Our verdict
Tights are one of those items that you could end up buying many pairs of if they snag too easily or aren’t thick enough, which can get quite costly over the course of the school year. These opaque tights are part of John Lewis’ ANYDAY range, which makes quality clothing at affordable prices.
Made from soft, stretchy materials, the tights are available in seven colours so you can buy them in other colours for the weekend too. The pink colour, in particular, is great for ballet classes. John Lewis also offers plenty of options for great school footwear from different brands, including these Start-Rite Kids' Leapfrog Riptape Glossy Leather Shoes.
4. Unisex Pure Cotton Easy Care School Polo Shirt
Price on writing: From £7 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: Cotton | Size: 3 - 16 years | Colours: 4 | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Stain resistant and easy to wash
100% cotton
Unisex t-shirts
What to know
Some customers claim they are long fit
Our verdict
If your child wears polo shirts to school then you’ll probably need plenty of spares in case they get stained or go missing (often on PE day!), so you’ll be glad to know these Pure Cotton Easy Care School Polo Shirts come in a pack of two. They are unisex t-shirts, which will be handy if you have similar age and sized children in the house.
Another selling point of these t-shirts is they are easy to wash and care for. The material has been designed to need less ironing and is stain resistant to help them stay looking good. Made from 100% cotton, the polo shirts are a good fit (if a bit on the long side) and comfortable to wear. They come in four colours, white, red, blue and yellow.
5. Boys' Adjustable Waist Stain Resistant Slim Fit School Trousers
Price on writing: From £9 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 65% recycled polyester, 35% viscose | Size: 4 years - 36 waist (long only) | Colours: 4 | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Slim leg design
Adjustable waist
Stain resistant
What to know
Some customers claim the fabric is quite rough
The seam split for some wearers
What Mumsnet users say
‘John Lewis ones have reinforced bits on the knees.’ Clymene
Our verdict
Has your son ever come home from school with ripped knees in their trousers? It’s very common and particularly frustrating if they barely even last a half term. Thankfully, the John Lewis Slim Fit School Trousers come with reinforced knees for this very reason - giving them extra strength to prevent holes.
We like the slim fit of these trousers which cuts close to the hip and thigh giving them a more modern look. The trousers also have an adjustable waist for a better fit and the crease down the front makes them look smart while still being durable for plenty of play at school.
6. Girls' Adjustable Waist Stain Resistant A-Line School Skirt
Price on writing: From £9 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 62.5% recycled polyester, 33.5% viscose, 4% lycra | Size: 3 - 15 years/ 32 waist | Colours: Grey and navy | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Washes well
Easy to care for
Adjustable waist
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
What Mumsnet users say
‘I’d go for M&S or John Lewis uniform if you can, I found the quality to be much better than Asda or Tesco and it’s only a little more expensive. Asda trousers looked bobbly after a few washes.’ FairyBatman
Our verdict
With an adjustable waist, strain resistant fabric and stretchy material, this A-Line skirt is smart, comfortable and requires minimal care. The waist is half elasticated to make it nice and stretchy and it can be adjusted to help get a better fit. Below the beltline, it features a zipped pocket to give the skirt a little extra detail, something we’re sure the girls will love.
7. Unisex Cotton V-Neck School Jumper
Price on writing: From £8 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 80% cotton, 20% nylon | Size: 3 - 16 years/ 40” chest | Colours: 7 | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Good range of sizes
Available in seven colours
Smart V-Neck
What to know
Quite pricey for one jumper
Our verdict
Made from tight tension and treated fabric, these cotton jumpers have been designed to resist pulling and colour fade so your child will continue to look smart throughout the school term. The V-Neckline also adds to the look, sitting nicely under the shirt collar. The jumper is unisex too so if it still looks good when your child has grown out of it, you can pass it onto younger siblings so that you get plenty of value for money out of it.
8. Girls' Cotton Double Pocket Easy Care Cardigan
Price on writing: From £9 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 81% cotton, 19% nylon | Size: 3 - 14 years | Colours: Red, blue, navy, green | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Nice fit
Lovely pocket detail
Soft material
What to know
Price is just for one cardigan
Our verdict
Like the V-Neck jumper above, this cotton cardigan is made from material that is easy to care for while maintaining the colour and quality even when it has to be frequently washed. The material is soft and comfortable and the design has some lovely finishing touches; buttons that are flower shaped and two pockets which have cute bows on the top.
9. Boys' Adjustable Waist Slim Leg School Shorts
Price on writing: From £8 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 65% polyester, 35% viscose | Size: 4 - 14 years | Colours: Grey | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Stain resistant
Adjustable waist
Durable material so they last longer
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
Our verdict
Like many of the other items on our list, these slim leg shorts have been made to last, with strain resistant fabric, adjustable waist and strong seams for growing, boisterous boys. We like the slim fit of these shorts with a pleated front detail to keep your son looking smart during the summer months.
If you’re also on the lookout for a school bag, John Lewis has a wide range of backpacks suitable for packing all your child’s essentials, such as this Eastpak Padded Zippl'r Backpack.
10. Girls' Easy Care Open Neck Short Sleeve School Blouse
Price on writing: From £8 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 65% recycled polyester, 35% cotton | Size: 4-16 years, chest 40-42” | Colours: White | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Pack of 2
Stain resistant
Easy care
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
What Mumsnet users say
‘We always used John Lewis (& often nude bras) for short sleeved white shirts.’ TeenMinusTests
Our verdict
When your child starts wearing blouses and shirts for school, you know the iron is going to need to come out a bit more often. However, these short sleeved blouses have been designed to be almost crease-proof, so they require minimal ironing. Music to the ears of those of us who try to avoid ironing at all costs!
The material is durable and stain resistant too, with stronger seams to ensure they last throughout the school year. We like that they come in a pack of two, so not a bad price for this wardrobe staple.
Also need a water bottle for the new school year? John Lewis has every school accessory you could need, such as this John Lewis Tritan Drinks Bottle.
11. Boys' Organic Cotton Long Sleeve School Shirt
Price on writing: From £13 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 100% GOTS organic cotton | Size: 3-16 years/Collar 16-16.5” | Colours: White | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Made from organic cotton
Pack of two
Soft and comfortable
What to know
Consumers say they are hard to iron
Pricier than other shirts
What Mumsnet users say
‘John Lewis Organic cotton shirts are lovely and thick. I don't think you can get them in store, just online.’ Alwayswonderedwhy
Our verdict
Made from thicker, warmer organic cotton, you won’t have to worry about these shirts being too thin or looking see-through, which can sometimes be the case for school shirts. As well as being better for the environment, organic cotton is also kinder to your skin as it isn’t treated with harsh chemicals, so these shirts could be a good option for children who suffer with skin conditions, such as eczema.
While they are a bit pricier than your standard easy-iron shirts, they do come in a pack of two. It’s worth noting that some consumers claim the thicker cotton creases a lot after washing making the shirt hard to iron.
12. Girls' School Blazer
Price: From £22 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 100% polyester | Size: 3-15 years/ Chest 22 - 34” | Colours: Black | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Good fit
Handy inside pockets
Machine washable
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
What Mumsnet users say
‘We did get blazers from John Lewis, as they were a better fit.’ MoiraQueen
Our verdict
Finish off your child’s uniform with this black blazer. Designed to look fitted and with two pockets as well as a breast pocket, it’s both functional and looks smart. The blazer also has two inside pockets, one with a zip, so there’s plenty of places for your child to store their little bits and bobs. The two-button fastening gives them the option to wear it open or closed and the blazer also washes and dries well so it should stay looking smart for a long time.
13. Boys’ School Blazer
Price on writing: From £22 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: 100% polyester | Size: 3-16 years/ Chest 22 - 38.5” | Colours: Black | Washing: Machine washable
What we like
Plenty of pockets
Durable to teenager life
Machine washable
What to know
Nothing in particular to note
Our verdict
Like the girl’s version above, this black blazer has been designed with growing boys’ and their needs in mind. It’s smart, fitted, and is durable - so, you can rest assured knowing you’ve bought your teen son something that’s designed to last. There’s two inside pockets, one of which has a zip, to keep their valuables safe and sound during the day, and with two-button fastening, they should feel comfortable while wearing it.
14. Children's Wool Rich Socks
Price on writing: From £5 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: Wool, nylon, elastane | Size: Infant 4-7 to Junior 12.5 | Colours: Black | Washing: Machine washable | Quantity: Pack of three
What we like
Designed to keep feet warm
Wool blend socks
Classic ribbed design
What to know
Only three in a pack
Our verdict
A new school term brings with it colder temperatures as the country braces itself for autumn and winter. Thankfully, you needn’t worry about keeping your child’s feet warm and dry while they’re at school and beyond. These soft, cosy, wool rich socks from John Lewis are designed to keep feet snug and crafted from a lovely wool blend. They come in packs of three, so you may need to buy a couple of packs, and feature a classic ribbed design.
About John Lewis
Known for much more than just those tear-jerking Christmas adverts, John Lewis is a department store that will accommodate all your needs. Find everything you need from home, garden, electricals, beauty, and fashion. Particularly their great value school uniform. That’s not all - John Lewis has advice you can rely on for the moments that matter most, such as All Things Baby expert advice and resale and rental with thelittleloop.
About the author
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier – as a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice.
After working on women’s weekly magazines for nine years, Gemma turned to freelance writing to fit around family life, writing for a range of online and print publications, charities and small businesses. She loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life. As a mum herself, she knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making a purchase for the family, so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we always recommend the best ones on the market. With two children at school, she also knows that their uniform needs to be durable, smart and good quality, while still remaining affordable.