To not buy new school stuff even though we could afford it

[MerryMarigold]

I was wondering today ...

DD seemed a bit down and I wasn't sure why. She's got nothing new for school this year (going to Y8) as she got a new bag during the year, her shoes still fit and aren't broken, I bought secondhand blazers from PTA, skirts and blouses and p.e kit still fit. I tend to buy new when things break or they grow out of them, and preferably secondhand when it comes to clothes as there is so much which already exists I don't like creating more manufacturing and buying new unless it's necessary.

So, AIBU? Is it nice to start the school year with new stuff? Like a new start. What do you guys get new? Is there a compromise and if so, what is it?

I only buy what they need . But both have needed all new stuff as one is going into year 9 and has had the same uniform since starting high school and my younger one is going into year 7. Unfortunately both are the same size so no hand me downs. It's a waste to buy new when they don't need it.

I breathed a sigh of relief when year-8-tomorrow DD didn't need anything new. Thanked her for not growing over the summer. 😅

YANBU for not buying anything unnecessarily, but I do agree with the stationery idea. Who doesn't love new pens and fresh notebooks?!

Yes!!! My best friend and I went to the same shop every year like a ritual.

I think it's nice to have a few things new, but obviously only if needed/old ones are on their way out. You could take her out and buy a new pencil case and any other bits she might need (if she likes shopping).
Unfortunately mine were never interested in shopping, especially for school items, and always preferred to make do even with broken zips on rucksacks.

when my kids were at school they got what they needed when they needed it, if that meant new school shirts at Easter time, that’s what they got.

Ive never understood this whole thing of buying an entire new uniform at the start of the school year whether it’s needed or not

We didn't buy much new this year - just school footwear and stationery. They are older now (years 10 and 8) and know that we just replace stuff that needs replacing rather than a whole set of things of things just for the sake of it.

I’ve had to buy new for DS2 starting high school tomorrow, but DS2 going into year 9 hasn’t had anything new, I had to replace his blazer, shoes and PE kit last term as he had a massive growth spurt.
DD starts year 11 and she’s only had some new stationary, everything else will have to do.
I don’t see the point of buying new stuff just because it’s the start of a new year when the existing stuff still fits or works, I replace equipment as it’s needed.

You are not being unreasonable but as others have said some stationary wouldn’t go amiss.

also look into the bag, I found most barely lasted a year and often the straps were fraying. Probably better to replace before it breaks

Also it’s coming Y7s have massive bags by Y8 they know what they need to lug around and if they have a small locker or not (dependant on school) so can get smaller bags and most will want a smaller bag as well

I always had everything new for the new school year, even though looking back my parents probably couldn't afford, a trip to Staples was a highlight.

When I asked DD if she wanted new things she looked at me like I had two heads and asked me why on earth she'd want new when she already had perfectly good stationery, bag etc. She did need some new uniform and shoes but that's because she had outgrown them.

I really wouldn't if I didn't have to either. Twins just starting Yr 6, grown out of everything. So needed to buy 4x sets of uniform each, PE kits, trainers and school shoes (both need Clarks as very narrow feet (D)). Thankfully their coats and bags are ok. Also need to but new dance shoes and leotard for one of them. I hate August, it is their birthday too, so literally the most expensive month of the year me. When they start secondary I plan to buy big so hopefully it lasts longer.

I only buy what’s needed. Ds only needed new shoes, everything else is usable and still fits.

Not unreasonable at all. My oldest gets new uniform (primary) and the youngest gets any bits new that weren't handed down (always trousers, my oldest goes through the knees in everything even pjs!) Mine tend to get a new bag each for Christmas every couple of years but they each still have 2 in decent condition so hopefully they will last until the end of primary (supermarket backpackss rather than branded, they are super cheap and really brill for school) but they are both still on their first lunch box. Oldest got his first pencil case but otherwise nothing new, I try not to buy unnecessary stuff and am always amazed on the first day when everyone turns up with new bags, coats etc! This is the first year Mine still fit into last year's school shoes and coats too so I just replace them as needed through the year. I do worry there will be more pressure towards consumerism in secondary?

I was really lucky to have three boys. Our eldest is waiting for a school place (asd, unfortunately his old school just didn't have the resources) so I will have to buy him all new as it Will be different uniform, he'll be going into year five. My second going into year four had one new jumper, some cheap polos, 2x trousers (all the hems came down) and shoes, but no new bag or or p.e kit. Littlest starting reception, new shoes, one new jumper, has a bag from nursery and he's got enough trousers and polo shirts to hopefully last a few years as hand me downs. Handed down p.e kit.and bag. No stationary needed.

YANBU - ridiculous to buy new uniform, bag or shoes if the old ones are ok. Stationery is a nice idea though.

This year has been an expensive one for new things for school
Dd (yr 9) needed
2 new jumpers
Pe hoody
Pe T shirt
white shirts
Trousers
Trainers
Lunch box
Pencil case and everything to go in it
Water bottle
Back pack
She could probably do with a new coat but she'll never wear it, so I might get her a new small umbrella instead.

I always got new everything every September and I buy DS new every September. Everyone I know does this, I didn't know it was unusual.

My year 9 has only had new tights, shoes and stationery. And a So body spray from superdrug which was chosen with great care.

She's happy.

This - agree with every word 👌

I only buy the bits we need. Unfortunately my kids seem to grow like weeds, so it’s quite a lot. Especially for the oldest. Youngest can use his old stuff so that helps a bit!

Thankfully some bigger items like coats will last a couple of years usually. And I do try and replace as they need throughout the year so as to spread the cost a bit!

Also my kids are lower primary age and don’t really care about brands or new stuff - I imagine that might change as they get older, although at least then they might grow a bit slower

If the only thing wrong with the trousers is that the hems had come down, couldn't you have just sewn them back up again? Or if you really can't sew there is an iron on product called Wonderweb designed specifically for this purpose.

I definitely only buy new when it's needed, never just for the sake of it. Mine have always needed something new for the start of the new school year though- always school shoes, and a few other bits.

I agree with you.

My husband is very much a ‘new stuff every year’ kind of person which infuriates me. What is the actual point of buying new blazers and trousers and shirts when everything fits?

My DS is going into 6th form and will be wearing the same trousers and shirts as last year and mainly his elder brother's old 6th form jumpers and ties - I've bought one new jumper and one new tie. His school shoes also still fit and have plenty of life left in them.
He doesn't need new stuff and I'm not wasting money or adding unnecessarily to landfill. I will replace things when they are worn out or outhrown but not before.