Experienced experts please- School uniforms- buy expensive as it's better?

[schooliscoming]

Posting for traffic!

DC starting school September- my first one and know no one with school age children!

Was talking to a friend the other day who said she's getting all her dc's clothes from next or M&S as it's all so much better than asda/ Sainsbury's etc and will last longer.

Surely if paint stains white shirt from any shop it's for the bin?!

AIBU to think it doesn't matter and they're virtually the same?
Please feel free to correct me if I'm totally wrong!

Marks a Spencer's and JL both do wool blend school trousers in the winter which are worth paying more for. Those plasticky trousers are thin and it can be very cold in playgrounds.

I have two grubby KS1 daughters and reckon Sainsbury’s is best, with the exception of M&S shirts and polos. The only school dirt that I can’t shift is whiteboard marker and highlighter. All the uniform does two kids.

If you have daughters, I recommend pinafore dresses - they save the shirts and seem to keep them a bit tidier/more tucked in.

I wouldn't buy my children's uniform from a supermarket. I would shop at John Lewis or M&S, but to be fair I wouldn't buy any clothes from a super market ...

I go for M&S or John Lewis skirts because of the adjustable waists as DD1 needs them. They’ve stayed immaculate and I have vast quantities of vanish on standby for the inevitable stains. Shoes come from a local independent shoe shop and although I pay a bit more than Clarkes they do seem to last. (Although we’ll see with DD2 as if there is dirt she’ll find it!)

Yes, never buy pleated skirts or dresses. Go for the jersey style every time.

Tesco trousers are fab - reinforced knee and adjustable waist also different fittings - lasted through both kids wearing them for a couple of years each as I buy big and hem them up for a year.
And I definitely wouldn’t buy expensive shirts as they are ruined by whiteboard pens within a few weeks.

M&S for trousers. I prefer M&S shirts but got supermarket polo shirts when they were in EYFS and KS1.

Thank you everyone!!!!!!!

I will keep this info stored it's been so helpful

I've got a girl and I had thought pinafores may be better but she hates tights, literally has never got on with them but I don't know yet if girls are allowed trousers? Or is this now acceptable in all schools?

No idea what a jersey skirt is- I'm off to look!

Thanks for the shoes info too- I was going with Clark's but now I'm debating M&S shoes.

Socks... shit forgot about white socks- looks like a new pair every day her feet always get filthy

I've always bought logo'd sweatshirts from the proper school shop as they are slightly shiny & you don't see sticky finger prints on them (ds eats crisps in his packed lunch & I could never get the greasy fingerprints off them). They also seemed to fade very quickly. For trousers it depends on fit. In reception I had to pull the Sainsbury's trousers up so much at the waist they hurt him. M&S skinny fit were much better for him & I could buy longer ones so lasted better

How is anyone getting two years out of uniform? Are they drowning in them the first year or what?...

OP try to learn how to do some simple sewing if you don't know already. An invisible stitch has saved many school trousers from going in the bin for one rip.

Polos don't matter much as they're grown out of quicker and can't really be taken in/let out.

A decent pinafore is one that fits well and washes well. If she can wear trousers try to get her one pinafore, one dress, one pair of trousers and see which she prefers- she could even wear them at home to practice. It's handy to have one of each if you can afford it juuust in case she gets picky one morning!

Ask if her school will allow plain leggings, a friend's daughter will only wear them under skirts and dresses and her school allows it.

Best of luck to you both, she'll love it I'm sure.

@tabulahrasa

How is anyone getting two years out of uniform? Are they drowning in them the first year or what?...

No, polos and shorts last ages and jackets are fine a bit big. DS was in age 5, 8 and 10 except for trousers in primary. They didn't look too big, just with room to grow.

My tips are - avoid asda polo shirts for girls. They shrink terribly. Aldi polo shirts much better and not thin like some have said - wondering if they are different makes?! I got 2 for £1 last October by chance! Also asda cardis are not great, particularly after a few washes. However the only place I could get slim Jersey trousers that fit my daughter.

Pinafores are a life saver as they can cover up stained tops. Both sainsbury and M&S similar quality. Good quality cardis too.

There's hardly any difference between single sizes.

I've always got mine from the supermarkets and they've almost always lasted her for the full year. In fact her skirts she got in reception still fit her now in year 2 and they've got wear in them still

F&F are great. Aldi or Lidl shirts are fine. Shoes either Clark’s or start rite.

Aldi polos have been great quality.
Skirts you can get anywhere.
Tights - they shrink. Badly. If you have long legs avoid cheap ones. Have found Next ones are good. M&S can be so thick they’re impossible for them to pull up properly.

I wouldn't get expensive jumpers as they always get mixed up with other peoples, name labels or otherwise.

Ive found for skirts/pinafore m&s range fit my very very slim dd better than the supermarket range. The supermarket stuff hangs off her shoulders. Trousers also fit better. The rest have a logo on. Our school uniform shop sell the most rubbish polo shirts with the logo. The colour fades after a few washes.

Buy expensive only if you have children who do not grow.

At primary it really does not matter. Jumpers/cardigans from school if logo and then just pick up polos shirts/summer dresses etc from wherever. They are not in them for long before you are buying more. Go with whichever shops fits best and still have the size you need in stock! High school is a whole different ball game due to the crazy rules!

@schooliscoming

Thank you everyone!!!!!!!

I will keep this info stored it's been so helpful

I've got a girl and I had thought pinafores may be better but she hates tights, literally has never got on with them but I don't know yet if girls are allowed trousers? Or is this now acceptable in all schools?

No idea what a jersey skirt is- I'm off to look!

Thanks for the shoes info too- I was going with Clark's but now I'm debating M&S shoes.

Socks... shit forgot about white socks- looks like a new pair every day her feet always get filthy

Jersey = stretchy and comfy

And mine wear navy socks (with navy pinafores). But would go grey if that was the colour. Hate white, they’re grubby in the first 5 seconds…

And they’d happily wear socks all year round!

I've found Asda uniform to be the best and I've tried everywhere!

Over the years I’ve had stuff from jl, Debenhams, m&s, school shop and supermarkets. There’s nothing wrong with supermarket uniform. I predominantly bought from Sainsburys in the end as the quality was good. Although asda is great for stocking uniform all year round in lots of sizes.

Oh and Clarke’s shoes usually lasted the whole year unless they were outgrown.