Buying new school uniform

[Notyouraveragecliche]

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.

I would only ever buy new if the old was small or badly ruined.
Otherwise no way.
Why?

@Roswellconspiracy its quite common really as I mentioned up thread dds school has a uniform for yr7/8 a different one for 9/10 and another for 11/13

Looks at DS wearing faded poloshirts that both his sisters wore

Buying all new uniform in September is as crazy as not buying new school shoes in May when your child's feet have grown. Trouble is of course that the shops all push buying uniform in the summer and so if your child goes through the knees of one of their pairs of trousers in October it's virtually impossible to buy replacements glares at DS.

I knew in secondary they had different colours . Part if the reason it all.makes me so cross as it costs hundreds and thanks to things like that you cant pass down.

Thought primary might be a bit more sensible. Thought walking around in belts and grey shirts was pretty much tradition.

We live in an affluent area (though I'm not massively affluent myself) so I like my children to look as smart as all the other children there.

@Roswellconspiracy

Dd1 needed some new jumpers as she's final year of primary and they have a different colour

It makes no sense for a school to do this. Expect parents to pay out fir something usable for a very short time when they know come june/July they have to fork out for secondary uniform.

What's the point

our school does this - it is meant to remind the y6 students that they are supposed to be an example for the younger ones

I always buy a size up when there is a uniform sale on (such as the M&S one in early summer) so we have a full set ready and waiting. However, I only replace bits in DD1's wardrobe as and when that item is grown out of or wears out. I will also repair items of clothing if possible eg where pockets start pulling away.
DD2 is starting school this year and will get her sister's old uniform with a few new bits to replace the odd item that was ruined (bloody whiteboard pens...). She has needed a pack of polos, socks, coat and school shoes.

I do the same for their regular clothes too: buy the next size in the end of season sales for the following year. It saves a fortune on things like winter coats, and means I can get better quality brands which will last well through 2 DCs at (non-sale) supermarket prices. They are often in good enough condition to pass/sell on afterwards too.

I've bought all new this year, because DD has outgrown the stuff I bought in reception year. Shes going into year 2 now! I didnt buy any uniform except shoes last year. I've put away the outgrown stuff for DD2 when she starts next year. Shirts had to be chucked though, thanks to the whiteboard pen marks.
I wont replace anything that still has life in it. I'm starting to repair more small tears too. Our current throw away culture is terrible for the environment.

our school does this - it is meant to remind the y6 students that they are supposed to be an example for the younger ones

If only behaviour was as important

Gosh I’m feeling lucky our school is sensible. Same school uniform throughout primary, logos not required, standard colours so all can be bought in the supermarket.
Same uniform throughout secondary as well.

Always buy a new tracksuit and one set of uniform going back to school. I'm not in the UK and ours get 3 months summer holidays so always a growth spurt. I use last years uniform that still fits as spares as my kids are grubby so need a change often. If no one bought nee then there would be no good condition 2nd hand uniforms for everyone on this thread to buy. Didn't need to get ds a jumper this year as dd moved up and hers was barely worn last year and his still fits so he has 2 already and he wears tracksuit for at least 2 days a week, more if he has training after school.

I like them to feel confident going into a new class. We moved from overseas and my DS started at a new school in jeans as his trousers hadn't arrived yet! It was March so none in the supermarket. He had sweatshirts we were given by the Head when I enquired about a uniform pool. He was fine.

We moved from overseas and my DS started at a new school in jeans as his trousers hadn't arrived yet! It was March so none in the supermarket. He had sweatshirts we were given by the Head when I enquired about a uniform pool. He was fine.

You sound almost proud, I guarantee he wasn't fine unless we are talking under 10? If not I assure you he felt as though he stuck out like a sore thumb at an already difficult time *moving overseas, new school )

And second to that I don't believe for a minute there wasn't a pair of trousers to be had anywhere? Utter rubbish!

One if the advantages of independent schools - all kids wear at least partially second hand clothes (plus the uniform is perversely cheaper than some of the state schools). Second hand is also actively encouraged for environmental reasons. This reception year is sibling heavy, so I expect oversized blazers and scruffy jumpers - youngest will fit right in.

@Newdaynewname1

One if the advantages of independent schools - all kids wear at least partially second hand clothes (plus the uniform is perversely cheaper than some of the state schools). Second hand is also actively encouraged for environmental reasons. This reception year is sibling heavy, so I expect oversized blazers and scruffy jumpers - youngest will fit right in.

Sounds the same as our state school to be honest. Reuse of uniform is encouraged for environmental reasons. We have a ‘swap shop’ run from the school office. Outside of school people are often giving away old uniform on Facebook when their children grow out of it.

Sounds the same as our state school to be honest. Reuse of uniform is encouraged for environmental reasons. We have a ‘swap shop’ run from the school office. Outside of school people are often giving away old uniform on Facebook when their children grow out of it

This is only possible because people buy new when it's not necessarily "needed" if people only donated when things were both outgrown and good quality there wouldn't be much to donate.

@rabbitheadlights

We moved from overseas and my DS started at a new school in jeans as his trousers hadn't arrived yet! It was March so none in the supermarket. He had sweatshirts we were given by the Head when I enquired about a uniform pool. He was fine.

You sound almost proud, I guarantee he wasn't fine unless we are talking under 10? If not I assure you he felt as though he stuck out like a sore thumb at an already difficult time *moving overseas, new school )

And second to that I don't believe for a minute there wasn't a pair of trousers to be had anywhere? Utter rubbish!

He was 10 and yes, he was fine. Do you know my child? I'd already ordered trousers thinking he'd have them in time, they arrived the next day.

@rabbitheadlights our uniform lasts several kids - my youngest son’s jumpers are on their at least 3rd child, worn by at least 1 child before us, 2 years by my oldest, and now my youngest. PE kit is similar. School trousers, tights and shirts have a shorter life span, but dresses, skirts, pe kits, blazers, bags, ties, shorts, aprons and socks will do many kids before they are destroyed.

This is only possible because people buy new when it's not necessarily "needed" if people only donated when things were both outgrown and good quality there wouldn't be much to donate

Maybe 🤷🏻‍♀️. I have two girls at school so buy new for the oldest and when it doesn’t fit her it gets handed down. If either are short of something, I buy it. Anything that doesn’t fit either of them but is still in good condition gets donated to someone else.
I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of something that fitted and was in good condition, just can’t get my head around why anyone would. But each to their own.

Presumably the thought of buying second hand uniform would blow your partner's mind?

@Newdaynewname1 our uniform lasts several kids - my youngest son’s jumpers are on their at least 3rd child, worn by at least 1 child before us, 2 years by my oldest, and now my youngest.

Is this honestly true? In all seriousness I buy new in September and by Christmas I'm replacing stuff, I can't imagine any of it looking smart enough after a year let alone 4?

You need to replace stuff after 3.months!?!?! That can't be right.

We pass down school uniform apart from the cheap white polo shirts which we buy cheap and replace. School jumpers get passed down as a second jumper and a new one bought for starting infants/juniors for first day/photo day.

Skirts pinafores etc passed between several people...

I am with your husband OP sorry! I fall into the camp of new year new start new everything! I love to see my girl looking smart.However, she is at a small primary school where there is no logos or anything so its very cheap to do. A few lovely summer dresses and cardigans til half term then a few skirts and pinafore dresses afterwards. I change them during the year if the colour fades with washing or they don;t fit. Same with shoes. I cannot abide seeing kids on their first day of term looking like right bags of rubbish in over sized clothes it drives me insane.Huge jumpers 2 sizes too big and obviously washed and faded to within an inch of their lives and ugh boys in trousers that are baggy or crumpled at the bottom where they need taking up or in some instances taking down.Same with shorts..some look like 3/4 trousers and look ridiculous and please dont get me started on long arms on blazers or blazers that are so wide you could fit two kids in it.I take pride in my daughters appearance and I think it sets her a good example Kids in old worn uniform and scuffed shoes look tatty and disheaveled and ,it looks like parents can;t be bothered. I wouldnt go out dressed in clothes that are too big or too small why would I do that to my child either?

It might be cheap for you to do Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe but sadly it’s pretty costly for the environment.
Mine aren’t in massively baggy, scruffy clothes ever. As I said, if it fits and is in good condition why would you replace it? I buy Marks and Spencer pinafores and skirts and even though mine are pretty hard on their clothes they’re still in excellent condition at the end of the year, ready for the next child.
Polo shirts I tend to have to replace more often due to blackboard marker/grass stains etc but I’m careful as to how I wash them so they don’t lose their colour.
I bought DD1 a pair of Startrite shoes just before Christmas, after a polish they look as good as new and they still fit so why replace a £45 pair of shoes? Makes no sense to me.

Kids in old worn uniform and scuffed shoes look tatty and disheaveled and ,it looks like parents can;t be bothered. I wouldnt go out dressed in clothes that are too big or too small why would I do that to my child either?

People on here are generally talking about reusing uniform that still fits and is in good condition. Haven’t seen anyone say they put their kids in scruffy, scuffed stuff that is 2 sizes too big/small.