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.

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

But thank you

[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.

[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]

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

[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.

[summerainbow]

Have you tried the uninform shop.

[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?

[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!

[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.

[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]

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

[MarmiteMakesMeHappy]

Hi Pumpkin

No sadly, not. But thank you.

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

[NatalieRushman]

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

Would something like this be okay?

[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