Best school uniform to buy that'll last

At just over £2 per shirt, this M&S five-pack offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. The pure cotton fabric ensures comfort during long school days, while the Stay New™ technology and stain-resistant finish mean they'll look smart wash after wash.

The wide age range from 2-18 years makes these a reliable choice you can stick with throughout your child's school career.

While they're online only and will need ironing, the quality and value make this a standout buy for parents looking to stock up for the term ahead.

M&S has clearly listened to customer feedback with this upgraded trouser design.

The improved Stormwear™ fabric combines durability with a softer feel, while practical features like grow-proof cuffs and an adjustable waist make these a smart investment for growing children.

The crease-resistant technology is a game-changer for busy mornings, and the water and stain-repelling finish means they'll cope with playground puddles and lunch spills.

While you may need more than two pairs for very active children, the quality features and M&S reliability make these worth the slightly higher price point.

If your school allows kids to wear dresses in the summer months, Sainsbury's offers an impressive range of gingham designs. Available in classic red, green and blue shades, you'll also find pink, purple, maroon and yellow options that can be harder to track down. 

They're made from a cotton-poly fabric designed to repel water and the Teflon coating ensures you'll get plenty of wear out of them.

You can choose between dresses like this one with a Peter Pan collar, buttons, stylish frill detailing and a tie waist which will look gorgeous in the summer months or a front zip box pleat dress for easily slipping on in the morning. The buttons and tie waist may be tricky to get on and offer for younger girls, but it’s a great price for one dress, never mind two.

For quality and durability, school uniform stalwart Trutex is hard to beat. And having dressed British school kids for over 150 years, it knows a thing or two about creating long-lasting and hard wearing garments. The tailored pieces are especially good and these longer-length Bermuda shorts are fully lined and made using a stain-resistant fabric. The elasticated back waist provides a comfy fit and the smaller sizes feature a handy pull-up design rather than a zip front for easy access.

A pair of shorts costs from £14 so if you need a couple of pairs it could get pricey but they are so durable and long-lasting they could be a worthy investment.

Always reliable when it comes to kids' clothing, John Lewis is a safe bet for all things school uniform too. And these crisp white shirts come highly recommended on the Mumsnet forums for fabric and fit. Made from 100% organic cotton, they're breathable and comfy to wear and can be bunged in the washing machine and tumble dryer. 

They will need some ironing though so if that puts you off, John Lewis also has a range of 'easy care' shirts made from a mix of polyester and cotton.

We like that they come in sizes from age 3 up to 16 as well as size 40 and 42 so if you love them you could end up buying these shirts all throughout their school years.

They might seem a little old fashioned but lots of schools still require kids to wear black plimsolls for PE sessions. The general consensus is that velcro fastenings make things easier, especially for younger children. And Mumsnetters state that it's not worth splashing out on an expensive pair. 

While you can pick up plimsolls for under a fiver at several supermarkets, these Clarks shoes are a great option if you're struggling to find a good fit. 

Available in whole and half sizes and two different widths, they feature a padded collar for comfort and non-marking soles (which some schools specify as an additional requirement). They're also machine washable. While the wider options do allow for a better fit, some reviewers claim they could provide more wider sizes.

Socks are one of those essential items you’ll want to stock up on for the school year and this John Lewis five pack of knee high socks should keep you going for a while. Enough to last a week at school, you won’t need to worry about doing a midweek sock wash and reviewers claim they wash well.

Made from soft, stretchy cotton, the socks are knee-high and provide a comfortable fit for wearing all day long. You can buy them in five different colours too, including black, grey and white and they come in a wide range of sizes. The socks have been designed with reinforced heels to help prevent holes appearing and there are even panels for writing your child's name in every sock - so hopefully none will go missing on PE day! 

At around £7 for five pairs, you can really stock up, although some reviews claim the elastic at the top is a bit tight so maybe see how they fit first.

A simple drawstring bag is an easy way to cart a PE kit around and this lightweight option from Amazon comes with a few handy features. It's made from water-resistant nylon so you won't have to worry about unpacking a soggy kit after a rainy walk to school and three different compartments (including a clear plastic pocket) means that dirty items can (in theory) be kept separate from clean stuff. It also features a zipped pocket at the bottom to keep muddy shoes away from white t-shirts. 

Reviewers complain the straps aren’t easily adjustable though, but we like that it comes in a range of five colourways and it’s a good price.

After investing time and money into Project School Uniform, you'll want to ensure that if an item gets misplaced, it'll end up back where it belongs so labelling everything that passes through the school gates is incredibly important. 

If you're pushed for time, hate ironing or lack basic sewing skills, these Sitkins name labels are perfect. Even if you leave this job until the night before term starts (who doesn't?) it'll take you a matter of minutes. Labels will stay stuck for around 40 washes at 40°C and they're fine in a tumble dryer. They can also be used on lunch boxes, bottles and bags. Mumsnetters rave about Stikins name labels, with 98% of users recommending the product after testing it out at home.

Who says school uniform can’t be stylish and functional? This gorgeous pinafore dress from Next manages to combine both, with a zip-front for easily getting on and off, particularly helpful for younger children, and a cute heart pull zipper.

Finished off with a pleated skirt, the dress will look smart on their first day back at school, whether paired with tights or long socks and a white polo neck or blouse underneath. The dress has a Teflon coating for repelling water and stains and is easy-iron too, making it a fuss-free edition to your child’s wardrobe!

We like that it’s available in regular and slim fit too so you can find the right size for your daughter. There’s also five different colours.

Finding a good jumper or cardigan that washes well and doesn’t lose its colour is key when it comes to school uniform. Our Mumsnet users rave about M&S school uniform being long-lasting and these jumpers are available in eight colours to meet different school uniform policies.

Made using pure cotton so they're soft and comfortable to wear, these unisex jumpers are designed to stay bobble-free and hold their colour wash after wash. Running from age 3 up to 18 years, they could last so well you end up passing them on to younger siblings. Some users found the stitching came loose, but we like that they come in a pack of two so you can stock up for the year. For girls, there’s also the 2pk Girls' Pure Cotton School Cardigan. 

Whether your child has to take their PE kit in or wear it all day, a pair of lightweight shorts will keep them comfortable while playing sports during the summer months. These cotton jersey shorts by TU come in a pack of two and are available in two colours, navy and black, to suit your school’s uniform policy.

They come with a comfortable elasticated waist so your child shouldn’t outgrow them too fast - although some reviewers claim there is no drawstring as advertised on the description. There are also no pockets, but they’d only end up full of random bits and bobs anyway! For girls, you can look at getting them some Black Cycling Shorts, but do check with the school  as some don’t allow them.

During the winter, you’ll need a good pair of tights to keep your daughter’s legs warm under their dress or skirt. Poor quality tights will bobble and ladder easily so may only last a few wears, which could get costly throughout the colder months. These opaque tights by John Lewis are soft and stretchy so they provide a comfortable fit.

Reviewers say they wash well so they can be worn again and again and they even come in six colours, including grey and black, so if you love them you can get different colours for both in and out of school. 

With 98 positive reviews backing them up over on M&S, these pleated skirts deliver on both style and practicality. The permanent pleats are the real winner here - no more spending Sunday evenings trying to press pleats back into shape after washing.

The combination of stain-resistant finish and crease-resistant technology makes these ideal for busy families who want their children to look smart without the maintenance headache.

At around £5-8 per skirt, they offer excellent value, and the adjustable waist means you'll get plenty of wear before sizing up. The wide age range also means you can stick with this reliable choice throughout the school years, right up until your teen reaches 18 years old.