New school uniform - trousers and shoes

[NameChangingGame]

Firstly apologies to post on the topic of uniform in what is the first week of the summer break. I need to buy new uniform for DS before we go away for a lengthy break in August.

DS is starting yr 7 in September. His primary doesn't have a uniform, and so he has happily spent 90% of the last 11 years in joggers, shorts and trainers. In the past when I've bought him any alternative trousers he won't wear them, saying they 'feel like metal on my legs'. No explicit sensory challenges - he just likes his comfort.

He is slightly baulking at the idea of uniform trousers; luckily all I need is standard navy ones. He is tall and slim, so they'll need to be elasticated at the waist.

Experienced uniform buyers - where is your go-to for the 'joggerier-ist' of school trousers, please? I need to bring him shopping tomorrow, and I'd ideally like to have 3/4 places we can go that he can then choose from.

If you can recommend some school shoes as well that would be amazing, but I'm less worried about them as he has obviously experienced a wider variety - wellies, walking boots etc, but if you know of anything fairly flexible while sturdy that takes a good football whacking that would be really helpful.

Apologies that turned out unnecessarily long, and many thanks in advance - any pointers gratefully accepted.

Bump - grateful for any advice

thanks

Do the school suggest a supplier? Navy might be difficult as most secondary schools wear black or charcoal.

Ours had navy for Comp and we stuck with Next. They don’t always keep a lot in store but you can order online for next day delivery to store for free.

Do read the uniform rules carefully, it could very well be that he needs tailored trousers. "Joggery-ist" is not what I see from secondary school pupils and we have 3 schools localy.
Often schools do have either mandatory or recommended suppliers.

Also, see if there is a local fb group, either for the school or residents who may have children at the school. They can often help advising what is acceptable.

Thanks all. Yes there is a supplier, but I’m looking for choice - DD is already at the school and I know that skirts/trousers/ short are given more leeway. The top half is branded.

just looking for recommendations for retailers where the trousers that are more on the scale of stretchier than scratchier.

thanks all

M&S and Next do different lengths and styles

thanks all for taking the time to reply

I sympathise with your son. Boys school trousers are made of horrible material and elastic waistbands are hard to find above primary age. If you think the school/ your son will allow it then the comfiest school trousers are girls ‘jersey’ school trousers (eg M&S)

lucky you my sons school the uniform has to be direct from their supplier and have the school logo on they are £30 a pair 😒

If your son will need to share communal WCs at school, then perhaps not jogger-ish trousers; zip’s better. The supermarket/Amazon etc. uniform trouser tend to have elastic adjustable waist bands which could provide the comfort you’re after?

Honestly I'd find out what his friends are getting and get similar. You don't want him to be 'the kid that wears the elasticated trousers' for starting secondary school. He'll get used to them and probably feel better if he fits in. You also don't want teachers to pull him up if they don't fit the dress code.

https://direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/navy-half-elastic-boys-school-trouser-2-pack/GEM957152-23540,default,pd.html?clr=Navy

My otherwise entirely jogger wearing son wears these happily enough at school, albeit in grey. Older sizes do have a button and zip but the half elastic at the back means they also pull up and down easily. DS finds these more comfortable than adjustable waist elasticated trousers as he hates the side buttons. DS is skinny and a fairly average height, they fit him fine if slightly on the long side. I doubt you’ll find navy in store but you can order online.

www.marksandspencer.com/senior-boys-super-skinny-trousers/p/clp60450634?color=BLACK my oldest like comfortable trousers are finds these do the job, they've got a bit of stretch in them and they're not as scratchy as the cheaper ones, sadly they don't come in a two pack though.

Mine are at a high school with navy uniform. Your best bet is M&S, Next, John Lewis. Do double-check then uniform policy as they all do different styles and some schools won't expect the narrow leg style. Ours won't so it's the unisex ones only which are all electicated waist. I don't think most of the supermarkets do navy uniform 🤔 they often tend to stock what then local schools wear and for some reason haven't caught up here with ours. So may do in other locations.
But to be honest I've found the John Lewis trousers really good.

You see that's what I mean by checking the school uniform code. These wouldn't be acceptable at our school.

M&S do some, and they’re also navy.

however, they were in the girls section. I can’t see why they wouldn’t have them in the lads section too.

🩷🩷

M&Sdo do lads navy school trousers. We found the Next ones to be slightly softer later.

Try Asda, they do a stretchy cotton trouser instead of really stiff fabric.. my son also hates them!