AIBU to wonder if people are too proud to buy second hand school uniform

[KittenFace]

Posting here for advice…

At a recent PTA meeting (primary school) I suggested a kind of a Uniform Bank, where parents can donate their DCs outgrown uniform to be sold at a greatly reduced price (i.e. 10p per item) for PTA funds.

It was not met with much enthusiasm, the general consensus was that people would be too proud to buy second hand. My argument was that it would be best for the environment, it would save waste, raise PTA funds and make uniform more accessible for those families who may be struggling. I know basic uniform items are fairly cheap, but if you have a big family of kids who (like mine) often come home with holes in their knees or the unremovable pasta sauce stains on their shirts, I’m sure something like this would be really useful. Especially for items with logos. I hate having to buy new trousers throughout the year, when they're harder to get hold of as limited sizes are stocked in the shops. It's especially infuriating towards the end of the school year!

My question is- would you use a uniform bank like this? Or does your school already have one? (if so I would love to hear all about it, and if it is a success)

Thanks Mumsnetters!

Not sure I've ever bought any new logoed stuff. Possibly one sweatshirt. Everything else either passed on by friends and neighbours or bought cheap from school second hand shop. Daughter just started secondary school and I didn't the grand total of £3 kitting her out in hoodies, polo shirts and logoed rugby top (though did feel guilty at my paltry donation, which was all I had on me, so will probably bung them a tenner next time I'm in the school). Thankfully sanity prevails at the school so no need for school trousers / shoes - jeans and trainers here.

I spent the grand total

Yes I would

My DDs went to private school, blazers and winter coats were sold multiple times, mended and darned and worn until they fell apart. There were Harris tweed coats that were probably twenty years old in circulation.

dc's primary school had a uniform sale. £1 per item. never bought a new jumper in 9 years.

Our primary school has one in an affluent area. On the open day I saw the stall selling secondhand jumper, polos and cardigans all with the logo on. Jumpers and cardigans were selling for £5 or £6 when it was £11 from the official uniform site. I thought it was very steep for secondhand (some were extremely bobbly) and I know it's going back into the school via the PTA but because of the cost I just thought I'd rather buy new.

2nd hand uniform sales at both state & private schools in my area are super popular. I buy as much as I can.

We didn't have one at primary school even though I tried to get one started. It is in a middle class area but the argument was the same - that people didn't need it (to be fair, there was no logoed uniform and so you could buy from anywhere). Most people made friends with parents with younger children and passed it on directly.
In secondary school (very middle class generally but with surprisingly reasonably priced uniform) there's a thriving second hand uniform sale. Because all the money goes to the school people are really happy to buy from there.

Five How is the secondary second hand run? (interested for our school)

Our local independent school has a second hand uniform shop inaccurately called The Nearly New Shop. It’s mostly the expensive items like blazers, rugby tops, cricket bats etc. Cannot recall exact split but it’s something like items sold at half of new price and of the sale price half goes to school and half off school fees. It’s very popular and a great idea. OP I hope you manage to get something off the ground for your school.

No we wouldn’t use one. Most people I know are happy to pay for uniform and don’t worry about the environmental aspect anymore than they do for their non uniform clothes

I never did buy it for DS but that was because I had to go into school on certain days of the year. But if I was harder up, I'd have made the effort. And I'd certainly have used a second hand uniform shop. Not proud at all, why buy something new if second hand is cheaper and decent condition?

I find it odd that people go on about how common this is in posh schools. Someone is buying them new aren’t they? otherwise no second hand

I had to go into school on certain days of the year

to be clear, they sold second hand uniform that had been donated about 3 times a year.

I got all DD1's uniform this year, apart from shirts at the school uniform pop up shop. Got everything for under a tenner (think we were £1 an item but 4 for 3 or something like that). I'm not on the bread line but do likd to watch the pennies. A few others I know went too. At the same time I know others who turned their nose up at it, either because they didnt want their DC in second hand clothes or they didnt want to go and deprive those that really needed a bargain. I guess it depends on your catchment area what people will think. I'd steer away from uniform bank though- sounds like a poverty thing rather than a thrifty recycling thing.

We have one. It has everything you need in it, including PE kit etc (Primary).

I use it, though I could absolutely afford to buy new. I do buy new sometimes, and then donate it when it's outgrown. I have younger kids, but don't keep the uniform for them - I stick it back in the second hand shop and buy it again when it's time. Worth it to me to not have to store it for 4 years

Branded jumpers/cardi etc = £1.50
Plain trousers/skirt/pinafore = £1
T shirts/shorts etc = 50p
School fleece/waterproof coat = £2.50

My kids primary had exactly the system you describe, and most of the stuff got snapped up.

Second hand is completely normal and accepted in private school, but the difference is that (a) buying the whole kit new is usually £500 when spares, all the different sport kits are taken in to account so there's much more incentive to save (b) the quality of the uniform looks better so it lasts through several kids wearing it. And (c) on a fee paying school there's not a concern about looking poor.

Thanks so much for all of your pointers. I will definitely approach from the environmental angle, uniform recycling is much better

They tried this at primary school but it fell apart because of logistics - you need somewhere to store them, someone to organise it etc. I think if you've got enough people committed making it work who also have enough time, energy, organisation skills and space it's good but that's a lot of ifs.

We have a 'preloved uniform' fb group where people pass stuff on. Seems to work pretty well.

Primary school yes, happy to. I'd frankly buy DS second hand stuff for high school - it's hugely expensive - but he is a style conscious, label freak with hair obsessions. He would be mortified at the idea of not wearing something new.

My gear is all from charity shops!

Definitely more of a stigma in low income areas. My kids are at an independent school and there’s a thriving second hand uniform shop. It does take a bit of organising though- probably half a day’s work a week for someone.

Our second hand uniform sales are really popular. We sell anything with a school logo for £2 and everything else is free, or donation. We live in a very mixed area and I have seen all sorts of parents buying second hand uniform, including me.

Absolutely would and do buy second hand uniform, especially sports kit and blazers. Not skirts/trousers shirts.

My DCs 2nd hand uniform sales have people queuing at the door and they're both at top 5 private schools.