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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Buying new school uniform

143 replies

Notyouraveragecliche · 28/08/2020 20:35

Is it reasonable to buy school uniform despite the last year's still fitting or do you think it's unreasonable to reuse old uniform?

Boring question but me and my partner have different opinions.

OP posts:
AlwaysLatte · 28/08/2020 21:34

Plus always new bags and pencil cases as their tastes change year to year.

BluePeterVag · 28/08/2020 21:37

@rabbitheadlights
“ ALL new EVERYTHING uniform, P.E kit, shoes, trainers, bags, stationery, coats every September. I don't know why though, my mum did it and now so do I“.

Hopefully now you’ll make this year the last for all new everything? Future generations need us to be much more environmentally aware.

MinaMurray · 28/08/2020 21:40

I wouldn’t buy new just for the sake of it. Not much point if it still fits and is in good condition.

Although I might buy a few bits in the next size up, in case of a sudden growth spurt.

CantThinkOfAName92 · 28/08/2020 21:41

Even pre covid and schools closing I only replaced what needed replacing.
For DD it's tights and polo shirts, for ds trousers and shirts... everything else still fits and I refuse to buy new in what would be the same size they only wore for half a year.

TheCanyon · 28/08/2020 21:45

Hand in the small stuff to the school, bin the wrecked stuff and buy new whatever you need. Same as every year, no?

Morfin · 28/08/2020 21:46

I find it funny that people care what uniform is Iike in September but don't care in July.

TheCanyon · 28/08/2020 21:47

Although if buying new jumpers/cardigans then buy next size up. Both was a and Sainsbury's ones have shrunk a lot in just two weeks...

TheCanyon · 28/08/2020 21:47

Asda*

Herja · 28/08/2020 21:48

I only replace things lost, damaged beyond repair or outgrown. I had one logo-ed jumper that I accidentally stretched in the wash; lasted from reception to year 3 that jumper... Grin. Sadly this year they've grown lots, and need new everything. A lot of things I deliberately buy a size too big as well, so they last longer. I do not like buying school uniform and aim to stretch it out as long as possible.

formerbabe · 28/08/2020 21:49

I don't buy new uniform just because it's September. I buy new uniform when it's needed.

purpledagger · 28/08/2020 21:49

I always buy a new set of uniform for the start of the new academic year, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the uniform always ends up looking a bit grubby by the summer term (stains on shirts, holes in trousers etc). Secondly, I'd only get a few extra months out of the current uniforms before they don't fit anyway. I'd rather buy them in September than December.

This only applies to shirts and trousers/pinafores and skirts. I only buy new school shoes, logo jumpers, PE kit if the current ones need replacing.

lanthanum · 28/08/2020 21:53

DD going into year 10 in uniform she's had since year 8. New PE kit, as that was year 7, and is really a bit small given she'll be wearing it all day on PE days.
In primary I bought dresses long at Easter, and expected them to do the next summer as well and into September.
The only thing to watch is if they might need the next size mid-year, when nobody is selling uniform. For younger kids, it may be worth buying the next size up even if they don't need it yet - they will eventually.

Isn't the point of uniform that you're not having to buy new each season, because you're not having to follow fashion or show off new clothes.

Another tip: if you're worried that you haven't quite got enough shirts for emergencies, buy the next size up. It won't matter if it's a bit big that week the washing machine breaks or they spill breakfast as well as lunch all over it, and you'll get the full wear out of it the next year.

RatInADollhouse · 28/08/2020 22:02

Wait, one of you thinks you should buy brand new uniform despite having existing items in good condition that still fit?? What would be the reasoning behind that? Does anyone do that with their own clothes?

PumpkinPie2016 · 28/08/2020 22:06

If it fits and is in decent condition then I wouldn't buy more for the sake of it. Uniform is sold all year round so just buy when needed.

Unfortunately for me, my son grows like a weed so even though I buy on the big side in September, it never bloody fits the year after Hmm Plus, he seems to wear holes in the trouser knees (even though I buy the good trousers from Sainsbury's) and gets pen/paint etc. on jumpers/polosHmm

I am eternally grateful that his school uniform is simple and can be bought in Sainsbury's.

I am not looking forward to secondary school Confused

Original poster
Notyouraveragecliche · 28/08/2020 22:07

Thank you everyone! I've literally been sat saying to my partner that the children don't need new everything unless it doesn't fit. As it stands, they need new polo's and shoes, that is it.

He thinks new uniform is a must for September to look fresh and smart but their last years uniform is barely worn! Safe to say I am only replacing what needs to be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notyouraveragecliche · 28/08/2020 22:09

@whirlwindwallaby

Your question doesn't make sense, do I can't vote.
Sorry, sometimes I find it very hard to put my question into words.

Basically my partner wants to buy the kids all new uniform despite the fact the uniform is still in good condition and fits.

I think that it is silly to replace stuff that doesn't need to be. I'm wondering if I'm being reasonable or not. Hope I cleared that up for you.

OP posts:
Hedgehog44 · 28/08/2020 22:10

Buy new when it needs replacing. I don't get this.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 28/08/2020 22:14

Only buy new if needs replacing. Dc1 going into 3rd year of blazer. Jumper did 2 years and going to dc2. New shirts most years as children and teens and collars. What do they do to them? Dc3 has never had a new school jumper yet as wears hand me downs from older siblings. They mostly get new trousers etc as they tend to be worn out by end of year.

BluebellsGreenbells · 28/08/2020 22:14

ALL new EVERYTHING uniform, P.E kit, shoes, trainers, bags, stationery, coats every September. I don't know why though, my mum did it and now so do I

I know very few parents who do this. Seems a real waste of money and resources.

serialreturner · 28/08/2020 22:20

This reply has been deleted

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Tatum1234 · 28/08/2020 22:33

I’ve only bought new uniform for one of my four. The other three still fit theirs from last year so will be going back in that.

AlannaOfTrebond · 28/08/2020 22:43

Some of this is insane!

I had one school skirt that lasted me from 10 to 16. Admittedly it was huge when I was 10. A couple of shirts per week and one jumper. 3 summer dresses per week. Tie lasted for whole time and two blazers over 7 years.

That was totally normal at a private school in the 90's.

CasperGutman · 28/08/2020 22:46

"Is it reasonable to buy school uniform despite the last year's still fitting or do you think it's unreasonable to reuse old uniform?"

The question makes no sense so the voting will be meaningless.

It is unreasonable to buy replacements for items that fit and are in good condition, and it is self-evidently reasonable to wear previously-worn clothing again.

If I said I emptied my wardrobe into a skip every February (to pick a different arbitrary month), surely anyone would see that was ridiculous?

No wonder the planet is fucked, if a sizeable number of people think this is a reasonable thing to do!

Original poster
Notyouraveragecliche · 28/08/2020 22:49

@CasperGutman

"Is it reasonable to buy school uniform despite the last year's still fitting or do you think it's unreasonable to reuse old uniform?"

The question makes no sense so the voting will be meaningless.

It is unreasonable to buy replacements for items that fit and are in good condition, and it is self-evidently reasonable to wear previously-worn clothing again.

If I said I emptied my wardrobe into a skip every February (to pick a different arbitrary month), surely anyone would see that was ridiculous?

No wonder the planet is fucked, if a sizeable number of people think this is a reasonable thing to do!

I did try and clear up the question in the replies above.

P.s I don't agree with buying new when it's not necessary

OP posts:
PontiacBandit · 28/08/2020 22:53

DD was very small and slim and wore the same uniform for around 3yrs at a time. The only thing that needed replacing was shoes.

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