to want to be able to buy school uniform in September?

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

Fucking M&S
Fucking John Lewis

DD started secondary and we bought the full uniform including the 2 x boiling hot wool skirts that are specific to her school. On arrival at school she discovers that actually most people are in navy box pleat skirts and has been advised that she is allowed a quality skirt as long as it meets requirements:

Box pleat
Stitch Down
Knee Length
Navy

We were told the skirts from either M&S or John Lewis are acceptable.

I have logged on to both websites every day for two weeks and the only sizes they have in stock in the warehouse are 3-4 or 15-16 - pretty much nothing in between.

As an aside, DS has had a growth spurt and could do with 2 x grey shorts (cargo style) in an age 10-11. Nope, none of those either.

I have tried Banner/Trutex etc but they don't do a skirt that matches that exact spec and neither do Debenhams. Supermarket/Matalan just isn't going to cut it unfortunately - not that they have any stock either.

Yes yes yes, I know you're supposed to buy it all in August - we did - but things change, people grow, tweaks needed, heaven forbid children sometimes even move school in OTHER MONTHS.

It's fucking ridiculous and I am cross.

So, AIBU and any other suggestions for where I can look?

Thanks
and Phew.

[cricketballs]

It's nothing new I remember after trawling round every single shop during the school year and eventually (to my shame) taking it out on the lady serving at Adams (that's how long ago ) when she replied that all school trousers were packed up in September despite the fact that they wear their uniform more than 'normal clothes' and primary age boys tend to wear a hole in the knees frequently

[NatalieRushman]

www.schooluniformdirect.co.uk/product/789/stitch-down-box-pleat-fitted-skirt

Would something like this be okay?

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

Hi Pumpkin

No sadly, not. But thank you.

It has to have the stitch down thingy going on. Like this:

[PumpkinPie9]

Is this any good? www.next.co.uk/g53586s7

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

cexu - no same thing -the drop down extra long waistband. Has to be stitch down.

I have tried several school uniform shops and the Banner/Trutex/David Luke websites. I'm getting a bit furious about it all now.

I am damp sponge wiping one skirt every night at the moment. Ridiculous.

[PumpkinPie9]

It's annoying that the school uniform shop don't stock both types of skirts that they are allowed as you can normally order in uniform all year round from school outfitters as it's all they sell. I suppose places like M&S are more bound by what products sell best at each time of year if they want to make a profit. Our school just allows one style of Banner brand skirt only from the school outfitters which is probably simpler.

[Namechanger2015]

YANBU

My littlest started school this week, I have the basics but really want to get a few spares and a summer dress as its still mild. Nowhere to be seen!

[cexuwaleozbu]

Ah. Hadn't appreciated the importance of stitch-down.

Of course they do have a size for age 16 available - when I was at school my mum would have bought that one and sewn in a fold on the waistband to be let out a little each year. (Or I guess might have bought the non-stitch-down and done the stitching down at home but who has time for that!)

Failing that - is this any good?

[summerainbow]

Have you tried the uninform shop.

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

YANBU.

This is very annoying of the shops. You really would think it would be profitable for them to keep summer clothes in stock for a few weeks longer than they do (same with winter clothes in winter).
And school uniform in particular - it's not like that changes year on year and school shorts made in 2016 won't be wanted ever again, unlike some more on-trend fashion items.

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

For the kind posters who tried to help, it's this (M&S do one that is almost identical)

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-girls'-adjustable-waist-stitch-down-pleated-school-skirt-navy/p399381

[NoFucksImAQueen]

You are the furthest thing from unreasonable.
Ds started reception in January as we were on a waiting list. It was a flipping nightmare trying to get him a uniform
Like you say, things change, children lose items of clothing or rip them or stain them so why the heck aren't they easily available all year round

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

Weird. Didn't post my whole message.

The John Lewis skirt you linked to is a kind of drop waist thing, she has to have the stitched down version which iris out of stock - but thank you.

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

But thank you

[cexuwaleozbu]

What size is your DD OP? Because John Lewis website seems to claim to have in stock a variety of sizes of these box pleat navy skirts

[JakeBallardswife]

m.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-girls'-adjustable-waist-panel-pleat-school-skirt-blue/p/597075?size=12-years

Is that any good?

[Alanna1]

Have you tried the specialist school suppliers? Think school trends is one but there are others.

[booellesmum]

Not sure but they might have them at Gogna schoolwear - you can order online.

[KathyBeale]

This is one of my biggest bugbears. No Easter Eggs available in Morrison's on Easter weekend, I couldn't get mincemeat the week before Christmas last year, there's no school uniform in September, I once tried to buy boots in February when it was snowing and could only get flipflops... I could go on. Surely shops must lose a lot of money by doing this?

[ALemonyPea]

I get my DC uniform from here and unsure if sizes, but they might do the skirt?

[KindergartenKop]

I found shorts on Amazon.

[LittleMissChangeMyName]

YANBU!! Reminds me of when I wanted to buy a swim suit for my DD at our local Next in July(!) just before going on holiday only to be told that season's over.

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

Secondary school DD has started definitely has higher standards than her primary. The odd Sainsbury/F&F polo shirt was fine for primary, but new school is very specific.

Having looked at: M&S, JL, Debenhams, Trurex, Banner, David Luke, Next, Amazon, EBay and a few random online uniform suppliers, it seems that a navy, knee length, box pleated skirt, is literally too much to ask.

But I can order flashing bunny ears with built in headphones and ear warmers for next day delivery.

FFS

[imnottoofussed]

YANBU DD has a new school skirt which is of wearing a skirt it's compulsory, she hates it, she got to school to find nearly everyone wearing trousers. They are out of stock at M&S. After traipsing round every single shop in Manchester we eventually got a pair in Newlook but they need taking up at the ankle

[Hygellig]

Yanbu - it's a bit like when I tried to buy a bucket and spade in August and was told it was out of season. I saw advent calendars in Thornton's last week.

I tried to get DD some more school summer dresses in two shops today, but they had none in her size.