To not buy DD new school uniform, shoes, bag etc.

Out of interest let's say reception they get a new backpack, then year 1 they get a new one and reception backpack is used for days out... surely then you're just done? When you get to year 3 and the year 2 backpack is the days out backpack where's the reception one? And so on and so on for the full 13 years of school? That's a lot of rucksacks! We're still using DH's schoolbag as our family day bag...it must be 30 years old!

I have an interview dress which has been my interview/funeral dress for about 15 years. It's LK Bennett (found it in a charity shop!), classic and I really look after it. Definitely have not bought a new outfit for every interview or first day of a job. DH has about 3 suits he rotates and has done for years. The storage required otherwise would just be way too much 😬

YANBU, I always just replace stuff as and when they need it. I don't see any need to buy new stuff specifically for the new school year. Both my DC got new school shoes towards the end of last term so I'm not anticipating they will have grown out of them in a little over a month (hoping not anyway)!

Exactly.

We do new when you need things. It's not often fun having the chat with them whilst they sound like spoilt, entitled little so and so's being upset that x got new whatevers and I didn't...but it's part of learning. My son had a paddy the other day that his sister had new shoes for a party when he had to wear his school shoes (which are bloody new!!!!!). I proceeded to present him with the 5 new pairs of shoes he's had in the last month (school shoes, pe trainers which stay at school, trainers for outside school, sandals and wellies) and the response? 'yeah but I didn't get anything today!'

FFS! Should have called him Dudley.

YANBU. It's good to teach your kids not to be wasteful. I cannot understand the thing of buying everything new every September.

Nothing new for my DD going in to year 1. Shoes and bags will be replaced as needed, but uniform all still fits. Not sure why anyone would if not needed.

I don't know anyone who doesn't kit their child out in new uniform for the first day back, unless last term uniform looks brand new. I've lived in a low/upper low income areas. If you are buying new every few months then their size can't be changing. So buy new for yhe first few days, then mix and match. Doesn't a 12 year old want a new backpack etc? The old one can then get used for days out. Take the lead from your DD. If school uniform prepares them for life, then the norm is to wear new or looking new clothes for the first day in a job/interview.

Your decision is to be applauded and I hope the start of instilling into your DD a belief in time that clothes should last.

If your DD does feel somehow left out (I hope not), then an opportunity to make start to make her aware of the number of children living in low income families in the UK. And to be considerate to any children in her school in that position.

My daughter always gets a new backpack and lunch box every September as she absolutely trashes them over the year and they are just about hanging in there by July. Uniform and shoes are bought as she grows out of them or if they get ruined. So I bought 2 jumpers this summer as she had grown out of 2 of hers and some new black leggings. That's all.

I genuinely can’t think of a single child who would be unkind, or even comment on, a child not having new things for September. They do get excited showing off their new bags, water bottles etc though, but it’s very briefly. You know how your child may feel in that situation and how you wish to navigate that. That is not to say you should buy new (unless you wish to), more just how you support your child with those feelings.

Obviously if money is very tight I wouldn't prioritise this, but it's like £3 for a pack of polos and they'll be fresh white for the first day, giving a bit of self-esteem and confidence for the new school year.
Even if the old stuff still fits fine it feels good to have some new for the first day, makes kids feel good about themselves and creates a good mindset for going back. I can spot an old white polo shirt a mile away compared to the crisp new ones and that can't make children feel good.

I never bought DS a whole fresh set. If it still fitted he wore it. He had the same lunchbag the whole way through PS.

This year he moved up to high school and he got everything new. It was a shock to the wallet but also him as he couldn't believe it was all brand new. I am the lucky position to afford it. But absolutely this will all not be replaced until he has grown out of it or it becomes unusable.

I'll also hand it in to be reused by the school or to a swop shop. Uniform prices are disgraceful and its best for children to be aware that clothes should be worn out not constantly replaced when there is nothing wrong with them.

We’ve got my DSS new polo shirts (mainly because I’m sure he rolls in dirt in them so they’re battered 🤣) and new shorts and shoes as they were too small. He’s had nothing else new as his jumpers still fit him and nothing wrong with his bag or PE stuff. We’re only going to buy them when they become super battered or stuff no longer fits. Most of my friends with school age kids have done the same so please don’t worry!

I never bought new stuff if their existing things were still in good condition and not outgrown. Why throw money in the bin like that?

Shoes tend to need replacing every few weeks or months in very young children because they are growing quite fast and their feet shouldn't end up cramped.

I bet you won't be the only one only buying new as really needed.

For my secondary school daughter, she is going into Year 11. So she did a stationary shop but it was only things she needed that had become lost over the year and she just brought a plain clear pencil case. No uniform at all as she we bought quite a lot last year and she's only got 1 more year left of school and a shorter one too. Also secondary uniform is much more expensive.

But why? If the old ones fit fine? It's literally just a waste of money.

My dd is going into year 3. She has mostly new uniform as her old stuff had been outgrown but some is her sisters old stuff like cardigans that wash well and she’s had new school shoes and trainers as her feet have gone up a size since we bought her last set. She’s kept her bag and packed lunch box from last year and her old water bottles as they’re all fine still. You only need to buy new if you need to replace the old or the old stuff due it to being worn out or if it has been outgrown, no one needs a brand new set of everything every year, it’s wasteful.

What trainers are you buying her that wear out so quickly?

She's going into y2. They won't talk about who is wearing new clothes and who isn't. I can't understand anyone who would buy new uniform for the sake of it.

My kids are at a state primary that has optional logo stuff. I usually buy them one new branded polo shirt for the first day photos and school photo, plus new shoes.

The rest of the uniform (generic items) is replaced when needed - usually in Spring rather than September.

Loads of people but new every school year. Like new bag, new pencil case, new stationery etc

Madness to me.

YABU for getting sucked into FB and letting these ridiculous show off posts upset you. Why on gods green earth are people posting this? Maybe I'm being harsh and they aren't showing off just excited. Who knows. But if it's upsetting you deactivate FB and you'll be none the wiser. Only buy what you need and nothing wrong with getting good quality second hand stuff. At year 2 this type of stuff won't even cross their minds unless adults have made a big song and dance about how important it is to have new things.
I'm dismayed at how materialistic and consumerist the world is. Bring on frugal minimalism! For the planet, our wallets and our mental health x

I understand where you're coming from but I think it can be nice to have some fresh, new bits for the start of the term. Just shirts/polos maybe a cardigan and the can get washed out or look tired compared to new. Don't replace the bag and hoes if they fit and are in good condition.

Well obviously you only buy what is needed - why would you do otherwise?