To think that switching to polo shirts makes the school uniform look low-rent?

Agree.

Is it more important they wear shirts instead of polos, or that they get a good education ? The coat doesn't make the learner. Uniforms really do my head in. Waste of money.

Unless they are allowed to wear generic polo shirts an opposed to logo ones then this rule is stupid because it will just cost parents more money than a plain shirt and tie.
I do agree that shirt and tie is smarter but I’m afraid you sound incredibly snobbish to use the term ‘low rent’. If they are washed and ironed properly they look fine.

Honestly, do your kids really enjoy looking smart? I find that very hard to believe.

Ooh ok, thank you!

Exactly. Because they don't need window-dressing to fill their places or convince anyone they are a good school.

Tried that, didn't do a thing!

Absolutely. require four degrees for my job and I’m wearing culottes, biker boots and one of DH’s jumpers. My next door neighbour is a cardio surgeon. He cycles to work in cycling gear and puts on scrubs when he gets there. The guy across the road is an architect and I don’t think I I’ve ever seen him out of jeans unless it was an award ceremony.

I agree. Sorry but why does it matter if they look ‘low rent’?

I can understand being annoyed for having to shell out for new uniform and not being able to afford it but OP, your reasons are ridiculous.

I wear a suit and tie on occasion. Not just for weddings and funerals.

Few other people do.

King Charles does. Even Prime Ministers unbutton their collars to look "down with the lads."

I am old. I have a substantial collection of silk ties and pocket squares.

@BrimfulofSacha
secondary school is ridiculously strict on their uniform policy and spout "you have to dress smartly when you go to work"

same same. Horribly old fashioned of them as no one wears full suit and tie to work these days.

I think your kids are likely in the minority, though. It’s really hard to imagine that many kids are more comfortable in a shirt with a collar buttoned up at the neck and wearing a tie. I get that a thin cotton shirt may feel cooler than a thicker polo shirt, but just the nature of them being stiffer and then restrictive around the neck means most kids won’t like them.

So... I have re-checked all OPs posts and none of them mention what colour the shirts are, only that the polos sometimes look a bit grey. I also didn't mention colour, so perhaps you have quoted the wrong poster if you are bothered that you'd "hate to have to deal with a load of whites each week just for a few school shirts". It is not clear whether you think shirts only come in white or that white polos (but not white shirts) can be washed with all the other colours.
And you're right that nobody 'has' to iron anything, or indeed do anything at all. There are almost always options, but people are allowed not to like the options and suggest alternative ones.
Sorry you felt triggered that you had to assure me that your kids are loved and well cared for. I have no idea where that came from but perhaps again you have quoted the wrong poster to respond to.

Yabu.
Uniforms should be affordable and comfortable.
Looking smart doesn’t improve grades.

My kids loved switching to blazers for secondary cos apparently you need to have sufficient pockets for three different body sprays (to be used simultaneously), two glue sticks, five claw clips and probably Shergar in there somewhere.

I actually photographed the amount of shite DD1 managed to fit in hers as it was so impressive.

Our local secondary changed from polo shirts to shirt, tie and blazers a couple of years ago. The reason given was to improve student behaviour. But I've just looked it up, and there doesn't seem to be any evidence that it has worked. There seems to be an argument for uniform over non-uniform, because it gets pupils into a 'learning mindset'.
So on that basis, I would come down in favour of polo shirts and comfort over shirt and tie. I don't think they look 'low rent'.

Polo shirts are a lot more comfortable than a standard shirt for little ones who love running about. Shirts are restrictive. DD chose to wear a shirt over a polo after year 4 though as she liked the look more. Her primary school wasn't too stuffy about uniform. He secondary school is ridiculously strict on their uniform policy and spout "you have to dress smartly when you go to work". I'm master's educated in a professional job and I wear jeans to work frequently, a lot of my colleagues are non-medical doctors and have blue hair and tattoos on show. the Horror! *sarcasm

Meh look at St Paul’s Girls’ - highest achieving in the country and they all just wear jeans and trainers

I never get the "comfier" arguments if something is comfortable will depend on what each individual persons experiences are. I like the feel of a shirt not a polo I find them to thick in fabric. My dh likes both

For our 4 children acriss 7 school we went through

Polo shirts and sweatshirts
Shirt tie and cardigan/jumper
Shirts. Tie and blazer (with knit layer in winter)
Shirts and sweatshirt

My kids all prefered the shirt and knit option yet when this argument comes up on MN we are told all children prefer a polo.

Most schools swap to polo shirts for a Summer uniform. The school I work at have always done this. In fact, I think they should do it all year round. Ties are very outdated now.

Even when new polos do no look as smart, they also do not wear well, the brightly coloured ones look best l think, white ones always look dingy.

Low rent?
Obviously you’re entitled to have your opinion OP as well as have personal preference for reasons stated (ie not wanting to replace suitable uniform already owned), but the term low rent is insulting in my opinion. Children are children, it shouldn’t be a class thing at all and polos are fine. It’s about having fun while learning and I’d be happier with my children in comfortable clothing personally. Uniform should be affordable, endurable and make all children look the same regardless of family income. I do not buy into higher grades for 8 year olds running around in shirt and tie.

Why are we still dressing children as 1980s businessmen?

My school is currently working towards getting rid of the shirts and ties worn in KS2 and I hope we succeed.

At my eldest’s secondary, boys must wear ties and shirts, the girls wear blouses with no tie-how is this ok in 2026? Blazers can’t be removed until the school officially declares it warm enough…again, so old fashioned and fusty. Why can’t young people be comfortable at school? I would hate to be in a blazer and tie all day at work.

Mine have always had polo shirts. So much better than shirts on wriggling active primary school kids. Don't know why a primary kid needs to look smart but they do. It's also a good equaliser where there are parents that don't manage to iron shirts. Polo shirts don't hold creases, our are green they don't show stains means they also don't need to change for PE it saves a lot of time. Shirt and ties are insane and I say that for secondary too. My eldest is in secondary and the shirt , tie blazer kilt combo is ridiculous. I work in a pretty corporate sector and noone wears ties anymore.

Not at all, I think they look lovely, bright and cheerful and are very practical.