School uniforms

[slis]

just to ask is are you buying a full new school uniform for September my dc uniform are still in good condition except shirts I have 3 at different schools one do going into year 11 this time one in another secondary school and one in primary all the uniform skirts jumpers Cardigans blazers all have shool logo on so quote pricey so was wondering weather to just use last year's as it wasn't worn much or to buy all new obvs will be buying new shirts and stuff like that just logo items thanks

Oh OP I feel for you

You have a tough time as a child with uniform and this is distorting your perception.

You say you are not at all flush with money. So don’t waste your money buying new for new sake. If it is still in a good condition and fits perfectly then you would be much much better saving for your children, spending on other Bits

If you’re worried about the blazer, take to dry cleaner

Will look good as new

@Atadaddicted thank you 😊 I remember being so bullied over my uniform 😔 so just didn't want that for mine and just wanted other parents perspective on uniforms I wound much prefer to use the money for a family day out xx

I am deliberately not buying new stuff for DS this summer (apart from shoes if he outgrows them nearer the time) as I am unconvinced that the school will be able to remain open for the whole term, and would rather not buy stuff that will not be worn or will be rapidly outgrown. Shirts and blazer are on the cusp of too short in the arm, but not impossibly so. I had just bought new trainers and school shoes when the schools shut last time. I will see how things are looking at half term

Right
Well then make the change here and now

Go through uniform and look at it objectively. Does it fit and does it look in good condition.
Some to charity but majority keep sorely.
And perhaps blazer to dry cleaner

And the money you save - rainy day fund and a some summer holiday day trips

We only buy new when starting/moving schools or clothes are outgrown. Will definitely need to get DSD more for starting back as she has had a HUGE stretch and nothing fits. As long as clothes are clean and fit well then you have nothing to worry about. I'm a secondary teacher and I don't think it makes a difference there either.

If it’s in good enough quality to pass on to charity but fits still keep it. Only send things that are too small the charity

Thanks going to take the blazers to the dry cleaners and if the rest are in good condition they can wear them again in September and the money saved will be on a family day out xx

Reuse unless they don't fit, are falling apart, or in too bad a state to leave the house. A lot of the worlds environmental issues are due to out throwaway culture

DD1 had the same blazer for 5 years at Secondary.
DD2 will have had 2 over the 5 years.
New shirts / trousers / skirts when worn out or too small.

Year 11s don't have new stuff unless they need it.

I've bought new skirts as they are looking snug but the rest still fits, including shoes for the time being. Will get her to try on again nearer the time

I refuse to replace DS's logoed jumpers until he's outgrown them. If I could buy cheap multipacks from a supermarket I would replace them more often but the school makes us pay a premium to an exclusive supplier so DS will be wearing them in September for the third year running if they still fit.

I replace polo shirts as they always seem to get ruined but if other things fit they keep them.

I am but only because DD has grown 3 inches since lockdown started.

Buying the bare minimum and all supermarket generic stuff.

No. Replace as and when needed. It happens that this year they need new for September because they've both had growth spurts, but usually I just replace as required throughout the year. New school shoes every September, but that's because they usually outgrow them through the summer.

I only have primary aged DCs so different from the OP and my answer would probably be different once they were teens or started taking an interest in what they wear, but I only replace uniform when it is grown out of, not if it is stained. If I replaced uniform every time there was a new, permanent stain I would be buying new polo shirts every week! Our school uses a lot of white board pens which stain the yellow polo shirts horribly.

I dont hand down to the next child a stained item, but otherwise it is kept in use, with tears sewn up/patched until it's out grown.

If uniform is truly grown out of (literally child can no longer do it up/get it over their head) during the year it is replaced and in the summer an inventory is taken new items bought as appropriate.

I am sure my strategy will change as the DCs get older and mind more how they look, but for the moment I don't have money to spend to replace uniform that is still usable. I view uniform for infants-aged children almost like overalls that protect the other clothes that I wouldnt want them to wear when painting, using white board pens, wading through mud on a field etc, and I wouldn't replace them just because they were no longer in top condition!

Sorry OP this isn't relevant to your query, but I thought I would add my experience for the primary parents reading.