School Uniforms?

Yes that is what my youngest wears to primary, black joggers and a hoody in the school colours, white polo shirt and trainers. Easy and cheap as chips.

My eldest at secondary is black trousers, black trainers, white shirt, tie (free provided by school) and a black sweatshirt. Also quite cheap, except the trainers but that's my choice to get him more expensive ones.

I much prefer it than having to pay out and organise lots of different casual clothes.

I don’t even own an iron!

DH and I are suited and booted for work. DD wears a blazer, shirt and skirt. We just hang everything up on hangers.

I’m not bothered about uniform either way but the washing/drying isn’t a reason for or against - they’re just clothes and would need to be washed either way.

The argument that children would
need expensive clothing to fit in at a non-uniform school always amuses me. My dd attends a non-uniform, very wealthy school. Most of the students show up in surprisingly cheap clothing. They seem to value comfort above fashion. The school does have a strict dress code so many of the styles that are popular outside of school can’t be worn.

the money is spent elsewhere. It goes on makeup, devices, bags, shoes, and sometimes jewelry. Dd spends a small fortune on manicures. The same places it can go when students are in uniform.

Uniform is a very positive thing in so many ways imo. Our school has a simple, smart uniform and all parents use the second hand shop. It doesn't have to be expensive. Much better option than ruining all their casual clothes too.

I prefer uniform but it should be-

Plain black trackie bottoms /shorts

Polo shirt

Plain jumper (school colour)

Plain black shoes/trainers

In senior school swap to plain black trousers.

I'm struggling to understand why your daughter's school jumper worn over a strachy white shirt needs washing every day due to BO, but a hoody worn over a thin white T shirt can go a few days without washing?

But surely the washing issue would apply whether your DD wears uniform, casual clothing or pyjamas?

And why are you ironing? Your teenager can do that if they want them ironed.

IME it's actually the better off households that are more likely to be dressing their DC in second hand clothing.
And I don't think your average teen boy really cares whether their trousers come from Asda or John Lewis.

Thank fuck our child's secondary school has recently rowed back on enforced blazers, citing cost and comfort.

^redskydarknight · Today 15:05
I think I've been lucky that my children's schools have adopted the very sensible approach that they don't dictate awkward items of uniform that can only be bought from specific shops.

So primary was: any jumper/cardigan in school colours; any polo shirt in school colours; any "school" trousers/skirt/pinafore in black or grey

Secondary: Any black blazer, any white shirt, any black trousers/skirt of specified style (ranges provided available at many shops including supermarkets and high street); school tie (available from school)

I don't see why something like this wouldn't work across all schools. It fixes the cost, sensory issues and "can't get to shop" problems.^

The issue with this is then the posh kids get high quality stuff without external branding but which everyone bloody knows is from an expensive shop. Well fitted expensive blazers etc. And other lids get a cheap poorly fitted one. The point of requiring a modestly priced school logo uniform item is it guarantees every kid has the same.

I like school uniform. It really isn’t that expensive considering how much it is worn. Apart from blazers and PE kit with logos, the rest of it can be bought cheaply. Teenagers need freshly cleaned clothes every day whether or not it’s school uniform. The problem is paying for everything up front in one go, but it’s not as if starting a new school comes as a surprise so the cost could be planned for.

*Another issue with it is the washing. Not everyone has access to a tumble dryer/ outside space to dry clothes.

My teenage DD needs a new shirt /
Jumper daily due to BO.*

You would have to wash whatever they wore!!

Eh?

I find school uniform much easier and cheaper. There's absolutely tons given away free or sold cheaply by the pta. Zero time wasted deciding what to wear. My kids like wearing the same as their friends, they like essentially feeling like one big team. The kid from across the road who's parents are struggling looks exactly the same as the posh kid. Its a fantastic equaliser.

My kids school is black/grey joggers, trousers, leggings or skirt, blue or white polo or regular t shirt and a non branded school coloured jumper/ cardigan. PE kit is any shorts/ joggers and t shirt. Shoes are anything black.

We found non uniform much cheaper. No wasting money on poor quality school uniform which is only worn during the school day. DT’s wore jeans/hoodie or shorts/T-shirt for school, same clothes as they wore after school, weekends and holidays. Much more practical and comfortable for travelling to and from school and during lessons

I’ve just bought my teens some new uniform and personally think it’s cheaper, plus no stress choosing what to wear each day.

I’ve bought school trousers at £16, polo shirts at £12 and jumpers as £14 each, all with the logo from the supplier shop. I can’t even buy a pair of jeans in Tesco for that!! If they weren’t in uniform they’d need far more clothes than they currently have!!

I agree. Just my two boys PE kits were £80 this week. That doesn't include blazers (thankfully we got hand--me-downs) or the basics like trousers and socks and shoes etc.

It really is far too expensive for families now, I agree with uniforms but they should be generic and subsidised!

Our school is good though as cheap. Only blazer and pe jumper are logoed. And plenty of secondhand uniform available and everything is unisex.

I recently got DS's blazer for year 9 (old one is way too small) from the uniform bank. Zero cost and I donated outgrown items too so I get rid of them and someone else can benefit. Win win. There needs to be more of this sort of initiative from the sound of it.

I suppose it depends on ages. My daughters ages 16 and 14 would hate poloshirts and tracksuits. They love their blazer as they can put their phones pens in the pockets as pencils cases and coats are unfashionable. The blazers are soft easily washable material these days. They are allowed to wear open necked blouses. So comfy. Although my youngest is fashionable so chooses to wear the tie as it's what the trendy kids do.
Neither would be seen dead in a polo shirt!

I think blazers and shirts and ties are ridiculous. It kind of made sense for kids to wear them when that was business attire but it's not really the case now.

Uniforms evolve over time; my secondary introduced blazers and ties when I was in year 9, if I was only a few years older I'd have had to wear a straw hat, my mum had to wear a navy skirt and matching knickers, my dad wasn't allowed long trousers in infant school...

It's time school uniforms were modernised again and made similar to the style of clothes found in most offices these days.

My eldest daughter cost me over £500 in uniform when she started secondary, I am dreading it when my youngest starts as it's more expensive now.

And you still have to buy non school uniform for the weekends and holidays anyway. I wish the tories had bought in law rather than guidance about uniforms and logos.

I would prefer non uniform for all schools, but if a uniform is needed a polo shirt and leggings/trackies for all schools.