To try to buy a blazer that will last through all of prep school

[NotJimmy]

So DS got a full scholarship to an elite prep but now we have to buy the uniform. Is it possible to buy a blazer that will last all the way to the end? Do people do this or will it mark DS as a “commoner”? They cost around 90 pounds so not thrilled to change every year

Is there a facebook uniform buy and sell page? At DS's school nothing went through the uniform shop as they took 35% commission. The FB page was fab. Not just uniform either. Horse riding equipment, ballet leotards and cricket stuff was often on there

For girls, I'd say you could potentially get away with it if they're fairly slim (I did with both of mine - bought a 32" as both were about 30" and needed the length) - but boys? No chance.

It doesn't matter what height your DS is aged 11, in all but rare cases, he's going to grow around 8-12" in height and a lot in chest/shoulder measurement in 5 years.

You might get 2-3 years out of one.

DS was over 6 foot tall when he was 13. A blazer that still fitted him then would have been ridiculous at age 7. (Actually the blazer that I bought with growing room at age 11 was too small by age 13).

Agree you can't hope for more than 2 - 3 years.

Highly unlikely. Unless its a family thing being small

Definitely try the second hand shop. Try to persuade your DS to remove his blazer during lessons, as arms moving continually across the desk destroy cuffs and elbows. We always used short sleeves shirts because we got fed up with grey cuffs and popped a jumper on when the weather was chilly.

My DD had to wear a blazer in yrs 5 and 6..j brought one a size up.. Now they are back at school I am so glad they are in PE kit and not full uniform she has had a growth spurt and it doesnt fit if she was back in uniform she'd be carrying the blazer not wearing up. Saying that I fully expect to buy new blazers throughout secondary school

@Pellewsmate

Definitely try the second hand shop. Try to persuade your DS to remove his blazer during lessons, as arms moving continually across the desk destroy cuffs and elbows. We always used short sleeves shirts because we got fed up with grey cuffs and popped a jumper on when the weather was chilly.

Good luck with removing blazers.

DD's school only allowes that during Summer term, depending on the teacher. The blazer stinks at the end of the week as both the blouse and jumper are polycotton.

Febreze is my new friend.

Mandatory uniform worn all day is blazer (Y7-9) and blouse, jumper is optional but most wear them during autumn and spring as the building is cold.

I’d try the second hand shop in the first instance. Some people will be handing in blazers that have only had two terms’ wear before the child has grown out of it. We average two years for each blazer and the second hand shop sells them for £25. £12.50 for a year is an excellent pay per wear rate. Good luck and congratulations!

My older dd is going into year 6, and we're only on our second blazer (started in reception), sleeves shortened at first, so you may get away with 2-3 over the course of time in prep school.

You won't get away with just one blazer, my ds went through 3 in his first year and 2 this year. If you can get one through the school shop it will be cheaper. If your ds is anything like mine you'll buy a lot of blazers! Congratulations to your ds on getting a scholarship.

It depends which prep school you go to; around here your blazer is the summer coat, and isn't worn during the day.

I think you can buy a bit big, but not ridiculously so. I agree about the second hand uniform shop (or make friends with people taller children!).

I wore a blazer that was too large from the age of 11-13, it fitted me properly for a year or so when I was 14; then it was passed to my brother (same school) to be two big for a year or so, fit him for a year or two, then be too small in his last year of wearing it!! They’re almost indestructible if you buy a decent wool one, and if my sister wasn’t the eldest (and at a different school), then sure she would have worn one first, and it be passed to us! Buy it big, and let him grow into it. You can turn the sleeves up a wee bit, and tack them up. No-one will say much.

My son started in prep at 8 and he’s 18 months into his first blazer. He will definitely need one next year (I’m in Aus so year starts in Feb) and he has been growing at a slow and steady rate.
I’d allow for a new one every 2-3 years. When I see 13 year olds they are about a foot taller than my 9 year old!
Could you approach the school and ask if there is any fund for assistance with school uniform?
Also, don’t worry about second hand. My younger son gets all the cast offs and any family there with more than one child will be passing down uniform. Only snobs will worry about having everything new, most families with money there will be sensible about second hand clothes, especially for school uniform which gets hard wear. Some of the wealthiest families I know eek out uniform to the bitter end!

@reluctantbrit I think having lots of money means that you’re more likely to scout out a bargain in my experience!

Buy one that fits this year, next year sell it and by then you'll know what others do.

Also, have a look at the kids around. in my experience, independent school kids are a lot more likely to wear secondhand or too big clothes than state school. Ironically you can tell the kids apart by their uniform
even if you don’t know which school is which (the effect is stronger for primary):
new, fitting, no patches, blazer on at 30 degrees outside: state
a bit worn, too big/small, patches on knees/bags etc, no blazer/tie on hot days: private

What age is your son? A lot of prep schools don’t require prepared children to wear blazers so worth checking if he’s younger although I’m assuming not given the scholarship.

If he’s coming in at 7/8 it’s possible to get one that lasts through. It was the norm when I was at school to buy a big one and take the sleeves in and then let them out as they grow (and then just gave bare wrists for one or two years). In your place I would aim for two blazers though, £90 isn’t a huge amount if your getting 2-4 years of daily wear out if the garment.