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?

Dd1 also going into year 8 wouldn't let me buy anything except pens.

It's logical yes,but I do think it is a bit miserly not to buy a new bag/pencil case etc if it would make her happy

Is she at the age where she might be funny about second hand etc/keeping up appearances about expensive things/ brands etc?

No point buying stuff you don't need, but maybe she can choose to spend her own pocket money on some new hair accessories or fun stationery.

My year 11 has got nothing new 🙈 my year 10 has got a new blazer and new shirts. That’s it 🙈

I don't live in England but still UK and if a kid turned up with something from the previous year they'd be teased! It's not even a consideration to use anything from last year! DD is primary school so whole new uniform, school bag, lunch bag, bottle, stationary, the lot!

Blimey, I can't even imagine this. Don't any of the parents talk sense into their kids? Most parents I know, their kids would be in big trouble for bullying peers for not buying new stuff they didnt need.

I really can’t remember what my mum did when I was at school but I’m sure I had a new bag/pencil case and stationery to start each school year.

ds2 is going into year 1 and didn’t need anything new. He’s due a growth spurt so will wait til then to buy anything.

dd2 is starting at the school nursery - uniform isn’t compulsory but most of the children wear it, so she has some new trousers and her brothers old jumpers/polos.

dd1 and ds1 are both at college and can wear what they want. They both have jobs so buy their own clothes now - I just buy bigger cost items like shoes and a decent coat (they start wearing them again in their later teens!) but neither wanted anything new.

My ds wanted new trainers ( none uniform school) his are on the small side..

He liked none at all in all the shops so he can carry on.. when they hurt his toes may focus the mind.

I bought him a top and pair of joggers. He has worn them through the holidays so nothing new at all.

Dd got an entire new school uniform and associated accessories as she's starting a new secondary school. Ds just got new jumpers, socks and shoes although I'll have tbuy new trousers now. I just checked his Yr 8 trousers and 2 are OK but 2 are small.

This 100% - always the highlight of summer holiday shopping. I was so excited when dd1 felt the same 😀

Are you joking? I bought new shoes and that’s it. They all have the same bags they got at the start of year 7 and they’ll last until they break. DD is going into year 12 and wore the same skirts (regulation kilts) for the whole 5 years. Youngest has about 15 hand me down school sweatshirts from his older siblings and the school FB page is currently crazy busy with people buying and selling second hand uniform. To be fair apart from boys trousers it’s all logo uniform so not cheap

We have peer pressure in other ways with dd but not like this. I’ve only ever bought stuff when needed. Realistically when dd was younger, that was often at the start of the autumn term and she was obsessed by water bottles. She told me she didn’t need anything - going into year 10. She bought herself a bag last year when she already had 2. I told her I would be buying her new trainers for PE though as hers are ancient and will get an extra blazer when they come back in stock as the one I bought last year is going to look terrible in 2 years’ time.

I also only buy new stuff when needed.

I always love that my children’s school change to winter uniform after Oct half term as it means we’re not part of any rush for new uniform in the summer.

I bought DS a new lunchbox. He's 8. Because he is a August born and a small child he still fits into the 7-8 clothes for school I purchased in April when he'd finally outgrown 6-7. He wore them for like 12 weeks.

I won't do another uniform shop of 8-9 till about December, and then top up in April when he seems to grow a little again.

Were always out of joint because of where his growth spurts are 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't buy anything unless I must, otherwise it's just wasteful and you are buying for the sake of buying.

I'd buy her a few new bits, whenever girls start a new school year, they show each other what new bits they have.
She will feel very left out. X

As long as her clothes/ bag don't have holes or look tatty then it's fine.

I do think some new stationary is a good idea. That was the best thing about school shopping once I hit secondary school.

My dd went shopping with her friends and bought new pens/stationery out of her pocket money. She really didn't need anything new, bur her choice!

Ha great comment

Has she actually said that's why she feels sad?

Mine only have new clothes and shoes as they need them - so 1/3 have new shoes. There are some new skirts and shorts, some second hand uniform.....I think they will need a couple of PE tshirts (you've just reminded me!), I bought the older 2 black biros to write with.....no excuses about not having pens. Nothing else was asked for. Middle daughter went to smuggle and got some pens but said they are for home (I think they are a bit babyish for school).

I think you're OK not getting her anything or at most a new pen. I can't see the point of getting a new pencil case every year if the current one is OK.

One of our kids got a pack of 4 new shirts, they both got a pack of new socks, because they need them, that’s it. 30% of clothes are binned and not even sold, good knows what’s bought and not used (enough) let’s buy as little as we can get away with and save planet and purse.

Nothing for my youngest (Year 5), we have his brothers old uniform that is still okay and he did not need new shoes. They have a school book bag, so no need for a new bag.

Eldest - Year 8, new bag and pencil case as the old ones were broken or about to break and new shoes as they had a hole forming. Didn’t replace PE shoes etc as they were fine and he is likely to grow and need news one soon.

I only buy things when we need them but my DD loves stationary so I buy new bits and pieces every year. She wanted a particular pair of boots and we went and got them yesterday as they were just after arriving into the shop
and I wanted DD to try them on rather than buy on line so I we went and got those but they are her main winter footwear so not necessarily back to school . Three year old DD started pre school so needed a new bag and lunchbox and water bottle but I'll wait a few weeks before the back to school rush calms down before I go new shopping with her

Why though?

My dd is going into Year 9. She has had the same school bag since year 5. Her skirt, blazer and shirts are from Year 7. Her shoes have a small hole in the sole and I’ve told her she needs some new ones but she won’t have it. We only buy new when we need to. Same with her siblings whose are wearing the same uniform from last year as they don’t need new.