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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not buy new?

16 replies

CocacolaMum · 22/08/2013 08:37

School uniform that is. When I was at school we could buy the uniform from 1 shop. I remember it costing the equivalent to a small car (ok maybe not but it was pricey) and it got bought once a year and had to last until the summer so every year we would get new uniform.

My kids do get new shoes for September but AIBU to not chuck out perfectly good uniform which still fits them just because its a new school year? These days its available all year long and the cost of shirts etc seems so low that I think I probably buy them twice a year (mostly because ds seems to think he is a piece of paper and comes home with pen marks all over his shirts..)

Can you tell I am getting annoyed with the "Arrgghh need to go uniform shopping" statuses on failbook?

OP posts:
MrsMook · 22/08/2013 08:41

I'd only replace it if necessary from being too small or looking tatty.

I was bought some shirts in y7 with "growing room" I was still wearing them when I sat my GCSEs. (M&S were good in the 90s then!)

QueenofKelsingra · 22/08/2013 08:41

why on earth would you buy new if it all still fits and is useable condition??

especially now when the basic items you can pick up all year from most shops, not just from the school. my DS's pre-school (attached to the primary) allow you to order the embroidered stuff all year round too.

DS is only in pre-school but he will be wearing last years slightly stained well worn shirts. they still fit and are fit for purpose. unless you have a money tree, why waste money?

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 22/08/2013 08:42

Just replace what's needed. I've got plenty that's still fine from last year. Some from reception.

hophophippidtyhop · 22/08/2013 08:48

I'm only buying shirts because of pen marks. dress still fits. the soles on dd's shoes are starting to go, but her feet are about due a size change, so I'm going to hold on a month to make sure. andavoid shoe queues.

Feminine · 22/08/2013 08:48

Of course you should use old er if its fine.:)

I am.

and I am done in with lovely named things going astray from my son's classroom. Especially when it comes from the uniform shop!

This year I have shopped all over...a bit of Next, Woolworths , ebay

I am a little less stressed Wink

starfishmummy · 22/08/2013 08:52

Yanbu. I just get stuff if I need it - and buy throughout the year. Even supermarkets put uniform items in the sale after the schools go back so if I see something that is the next size up I will squirrel it away.

LEMisdisappointed · 22/08/2013 08:58

Feminine you have shopped in Woolworths??? Have i missed something??

I usually get uniform from the schools second hand uniform sales but this year it has been meagre pickings because austerity has become the in thing so i am being force to buy new, i am very Angry about it. DD announced that he school shoes still fit though so those can last til xmas then.

Feminine · 22/08/2013 09:04

LEM Grin on -line!

I ordered a 2pk of cardigans for DD. They look very nice quality.

Someone mentioned to me , that they are not 'Woolworth' as we knew them...I'm not sure, I didn't check for the pick n' mix! Wink

Feminine · 22/08/2013 09:05

Oh and the clothes are not Ladybird any more.

LondonMan · 22/08/2013 09:24

Clearly times have changed. I thought this was going to be a thread about buying second-hand clothes.

As a teenager I wore ill-fitting and slightly tatty second-hand uniform clothing that had been recycled via a school "shop." (It was a private school and my parents struggled to afford the small proportion of the fees that they were responsible for.)

Original poster
CocacolaMum · 22/08/2013 15:07

I didn't know you could still shop at woollies, I will be having a peek at the website!

Nope I am sticking to my guns whether my bloody mother likes it or not (I did point out that if it was that important to her she is welcome to buy their uniforms herself) and if there is wear left then they aren't getting new uniform.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 22/08/2013 15:11

Why on Earth would you chuck out usable clothes and buy new? George by ASDA sells school uniform gear year-round. Replace as and when.

Lweji · 22/08/2013 15:15

It might still be best to buy the next size up now, because the offer does get reduced later on, and if there are discounts available.
You may need to order particular sizes in a few months.

farewellfigure · 22/08/2013 15:45

DS will be going into yr1 in second hand trousers and tops, with new socks (last year's all too small) and new shoes (worn through). No problem with wearing old stuff, or other people's old stuff at that! All his jumpers from last year still fit him.

Beastofburden · 22/08/2013 16:33

Don't understand. Why on earth would you buy more stuff you don't need just cos its September soon? It's not like grouse hunting, there isn't a school uniform season, they won't prosecute you for taking baby trainers from their mothers in February. :)

As for tatty, whatever happened to wearing the cast offs from your sister/ neighbour? One of my DC has made it to sixth form without a single new item of school uniform. I got a bundle when he went there from a kid who had just left, and he has just worn it all the way through. I did get him some new trousers, black trackie bottoms, but that's because he has a disability and can't use normal trousers, not cos there is anything wrong with the ones we were given.

expatinscotland · 22/08/2013 18:02

We give the stuff that's too tatty to the school - they give them out when children soil their uniforms or have accidents.

Can't imagine not using clothes that are still good no matter what one's financial standing. That seems so wasteful.

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