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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to only replace the uniform items that really need it?

67 replies

Mouseyinmyhousey · 15/08/2013 10:18

Do you replace everything ready for September?

Ds will be getting new trousers, polo shirts, shoes for school.

But his PE kit still fits and there is nothing wrong with it. Tie, book bag, all fine. I'm even toying with keeping the jumpers a bit longer and perhaps replacing them mid year. They're £16 a go for logo jumper and they still fit and not a bobble in sight, but probably will replace these.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 15/08/2013 10:36

grown*

MrsTedMosby · 15/08/2013 10:36

I have never ever bought new uniform just because. I always wait till it looks like they are wearing rags and then buy some new stuff.

Having 5 boys means I can pass most of it down, though I am buying loads of new stuff this year as it really does look tatty now. PE kits are fine (except DS2 who is moving up to secondary) Jumpers are mainly fine, I will probably wait mid term to replace if necessary.

The only thing they get new ever year are shoes/plimsolls.

OnTheNingNangNong · 15/08/2013 10:36

YANBU. I replace what needs replacing, nothing more. DS1 just needs new school shoes, plimsolls and possibly new gym shorts now. Anything else will be replaced as and when needed.

SirChenjin · 15/08/2013 10:38

YANBU

I only ever replace what is needed, definitely don't go out and buy new uniforms for the sake of it. I've got 3 kids, 2 of whom are huge teenagers and it costs a fortune to kit them all out, so I don't spend unless I have to.

Yonihadtoask · 15/08/2013 10:38

At DSSs school they have implemented wearing a different colour (fekkin clip on) tie for each Year Group.

So at their school, yes a new tie each year. Luckily that's the cheapest part of the uniform!

DS school tie is still going strong, and into its 5th year now! :)

feetheart · 15/08/2013 10:40

Beware about going into Yr1. DS has always been a child that scatters things in his wake!
Obviously the Reception staff were brilliant at reuniting him with everything because as soon as he hit Yr1 he started losing things.

Tips from the wise:

  • Label EVERYTHING with sew-on/iron-on AND write in it (permanent marker washes out after a while)
  • Do a complete inventory at the end of school every day and send him back in to look for lost jumpers/hat/scarf/gloves/shoes (Confused)/lunchbox/etc
  • Know where the lost property box is and make friends with the office staff

He is about to go into Yr3 and I can see me still doing this in Yr6.

Original poster
Mouseyinmyhousey · 15/08/2013 10:41

I really did think people bought a whole new uniform for September Blush I really do know people who do. Not saying tie as I've never discussed in that much detail but definitely main items.

The shoes trousers and polo shirts definitely new replacing but I definitely not bother with anything else including jumpers.

OP posts:
Theas18 · 15/08/2013 10:42

Of course you YANBU ! Agree the " new uniform for Sept" is very mumsnet!

CMOTDibbler · 15/08/2013 10:44

DS will have new shoes as his are trashed and thats it. I'll be looking for a tracksuit in the next second hand uniform sale, but its not urgent.

Twattybollocks · 15/08/2013 10:44

Only replace stuff that's got holes, stains, is really faded/grey and outgrown stuff that can't be handed down

Original poster
Mouseyinmyhousey · 15/08/2013 10:45

Ye I have heard its different in yr 1 feet. Thanks for tips he's got easily recognisable labels sewn into everything (even shoes) teachers are constantly pleading with parents to label things.

But the gloves, where do the gloves go?

OP posts:
HappyMummyOfOne · 15/08/2013 10:45

Lots buy all new for September as they remember their parents doing it. Some make it last all year by buying big and its really had it by the time July comes.

DS has some items that are still fine and can be used again but i do get new jumpers and polos most terms as they look worn after four months daily wear. Cheap enough though as generic bar the fleece.

Yonihadtoask · 15/08/2013 10:46

I tend to try and pick up items when I see them in the sale - which of course is never just before the new term.

Ds' new shoes were purchased in June, half price.

McNewPants2013 · 15/08/2013 10:46

Yanbu, I wish I didn't have to go and get a new set for both DC but I stretched thiers out for the last few weeks of term.

If it didn't need replacing then I wouldn't spend money.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 15/08/2013 10:48

YANBU

DS1 is going into year 1. He needs new shoes, polos and jumpers, and socks.
Trousers, shorts, PE kit, book bag and lunchbox are all perfectly fine.

Original poster
Mouseyinmyhousey · 15/08/2013 10:51

Oh lunchboxes, does anyone else hate those new ones these days? Fabric ones. What was wring with the plastic ones of the 80's?

OP posts:
Fakebook · 15/08/2013 10:57

My dd is also going into year 1 and her P.E kit is still brand new. I've only bought her one new pinafore dress and will be getting a new cardigan and new tights and she has new shoes. She tried her old dresses and shorts on yesterday and they're only getting a tiny bit right and short on her now, so I'll make her wear them out in the first term. Her coat and hat and gloves still fit perfectly.

The only thing I really need to buy is a new rain suit and boots for her as they go to forest school in year 1 and it gets muddy.

Fakebook · 15/08/2013 10:58

Oh and her polos are still loose on her, so I'm going to soak them in some bleach and vanish to whiten them again.

Silverfoxballs · 15/08/2013 11:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsjay · 15/08/2013 11:05

Can you use vanish on polo shirts that have an embroidered logo on them?

yes what do you think is going to happen ?

mrsjay · 15/08/2013 11:06

oh that last bit looks really cheeky i dont mean to be

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 15/08/2013 11:06

DD is getting new shoes, PE shoes, shirts and pinafores but no new cardigans (hers are fine) and the PE kit other than the shoes is fine. She's also getting a new lunch bag (hers was stinky and tatty) and a new bag.

MovingForward0719 · 15/08/2013 11:16

Apart from new shoes, I usually wing it for the first few weeks in September, especially if the weather is still nice and they only really need polos and trousers. New jumpers and coats etc, usually happen around half term October. The only other urgent requirement is socks!! Even I wouldn't send them back to school with holes in socks!!

mrstigs · 15/08/2013 11:20

The only thing I definitely replace each September is sandwich boxes, they are rank by the summer and won't be better after being stored for six weeks. Other than that it's just whatever is knackered. My son is starting juniors and other than bookbag, jumpers and pe bag he still has his old stuff, trousers, shoes and white shirts still ok so he can use those. My daughter is having his infant jumpers and her stuff still fits from reception so she doesn't need anything other than new socks. They had a growth spurt in the spring so I replaced all the trousers/skirts and shoes then. They don't wear outgrown knackered stuff in the summer or new stuff in the autumn just for the sake of it being a new school year. So yanbu.

Fakebook · 15/08/2013 11:21

Yes vanish will be fine for embroidered polos but don't use bleach.