To not buy DD new school uniform, shoes, bag etc.

[MG92]

Hi everyone.
I've seen numerous posts (mostly pictures) on Facebook from parents buying their kids new school uniform, shoes, bag etc. And wondered if I am being unreasonable for not buying DD who's going into year 2 tomorrow anything new as I feel it's a waste of money and I have nowhere to put her 'old' stuff.
I tend to get her a new pair of black trainers and a cardigan every few months, with the most recent purchase being in May. Both items are holding up pretty well..
I'm concerned she'd feel upset if all her friends have new stuff and she doesn't.

If she doesn't need it don't buy it. My DD needed a new bag this year as her old one was fairly battered, but her shoes and uniform were all fine so I didn't need to buy any.

There's absolutely no reason to buy new if she doesn't need it. She won't feel left out, no one will notice who's got new and who hasn't.

IME, no one ever bought new unless old stuff was worn out or out grown.

I always got DD's feet measured every half term and bought new if she'd gone up a size. Other than that, I'd get my money's worth out of her clothes.

But I'm surprised you need to buy new trainers and cardigan every few months. Is that because she's growing quickly at the moment?

I'm concerned she'd feel upset if all her friends have new stuff and she doesn't.

She'll get over it. All children need to learn that you cant just get something because someone else has it. It's not needed. You've no room for more stuff so that's thats.

If her things look to be in good condition, there is absolutely no need.

My daughter is also going into Year 2 and she has outgrown literally all of her clothes apparently over summer. So I had to buy a few extras and chuck away the small ones but I still kept a few that fit. She interswitches water bottles all the time but she has lots so didn't need a new one. And she was a desperate for a new bag so I relented and bought her one but she didn't need it. She needed new school shoes and plimsols as they were battered so I did buy those. But my daughter is very messy and rough play so her things do get ruined after a year.

For my 14 year old, when she was little, I rarely had to replace things over Summer and would do it throughout the year.

I don't know anyone who buys new stuff unless old stuff is outgrown or too grubby.

Well obviously you only buy what is needed - why would you do otherwise?

I understand where you're coming from but I think it can be nice to have some fresh, new bits for the start of the term. Just shirts/polos maybe a cardigan and the can get washed out or look tired compared to new. Don't replace the bag and hoes if they fit and are in good condition.

Thank you. This is reassuring. I was concerned she'd feel left out.
She lost 3 cardigans last year. I don't know what she does to the trainers but they wear out pretty quickly. One lost the insoles and the other one, the scratch fastening (sorry if this is the wrong term) became very loose.

YABU for getting sucked into FB and letting these ridiculous show off posts upset you. Why on gods green earth are people posting this? Maybe I'm being harsh and they aren't showing off just excited. Who knows. But if it's upsetting you deactivate FB and you'll be none the wiser. Only buy what you need and nothing wrong with getting good quality second hand stuff. At year 2 this type of stuff won't even cross their minds unless adults have made a big song and dance about how important it is to have new things.
I'm dismayed at how materialistic and consumerist the world is. Bring on frugal minimalism! For the planet, our wallets and our mental health x

Loads of people but new every school year. Like new bag, new pencil case, new stationery etc

Madness to me.

My kids are at a state primary that has optional logo stuff. I usually buy them one new branded polo shirt for the first day photos and school photo, plus new shoes.

The rest of the uniform (generic items) is replaced when needed - usually in Spring rather than September.

She's going into y2. They won't talk about who is wearing new clothes and who isn't. I can't understand anyone who would buy new uniform for the sake of it.

What trainers are you buying her that wear out so quickly?

My dd is going into year 3. She has mostly new uniform as her old stuff had been outgrown but some is her sisters old stuff like cardigans that wash well and she’s had new school shoes and trainers as her feet have gone up a size since we bought her last set. She’s kept her bag and packed lunch box from last year and her old water bottles as they’re all fine still. You only need to buy new if you need to replace the old or the old stuff due it to being worn out or if it has been outgrown, no one needs a brand new set of everything every year, it’s wasteful.

But why? If the old ones fit fine? It's literally just a waste of money.

For my secondary school daughter, she is going into Year 11. So she did a stationary shop but it was only things she needed that had become lost over the year and she just brought a plain clear pencil case. No uniform at all as she we bought quite a lot last year and she's only got 1 more year left of school and a shorter one too. Also secondary uniform is much more expensive.

I never bought new stuff if their existing things were still in good condition and not outgrown. Why throw money in the bin like that?

Shoes tend to need replacing every few weeks or months in very young children because they are growing quite fast and their feet shouldn't end up cramped.

I bet you won't be the only one only buying new as really needed.

We’ve got my DSS new polo shirts (mainly because I’m sure he rolls in dirt in them so they’re battered 🤣) and new shorts and shoes as they were too small. He’s had nothing else new as his jumpers still fit him and nothing wrong with his bag or PE stuff. We’re only going to buy them when they become super battered or stuff no longer fits. Most of my friends with school age kids have done the same so please don’t worry!

Sketchers Uno Lite and Zara.

I never bought DS a whole fresh set. If it still fitted he wore it. He had the same lunchbag the whole way through PS.

This year he moved up to high school and he got everything new. It was a shock to the wallet but also him as he couldn't believe it was all brand new. I am the lucky position to afford it. But absolutely this will all not be replaced until he has grown out of it or it becomes unusable.

I'll also hand it in to be reused by the school or to a swop shop. Uniform prices are disgraceful and its best for children to be aware that clothes should be worn out not constantly replaced when there is nothing wrong with them.

Obviously if money is very tight I wouldn't prioritise this, but it's like £3 for a pack of polos and they'll be fresh white for the first day, giving a bit of self-esteem and confidence for the new school year.
Even if the old stuff still fits fine it feels good to have some new for the first day, makes kids feel good about themselves and creates a good mindset for going back. I can spot an old white polo shirt a mile away compared to the crisp new ones and that can't make children feel good.

I genuinely can’t think of a single child who would be unkind, or even comment on, a child not having new things for September. They do get excited showing off their new bags, water bottles etc though, but it’s very briefly. You know how your child may feel in that situation and how you wish to navigate that. That is not to say you should buy new (unless you wish to), more just how you support your child with those feelings.

My daughter always gets a new backpack and lunch box every September as she absolutely trashes them over the year and they are just about hanging in there by July. Uniform and shoes are bought as she grows out of them or if they get ruined. So I bought 2 jumpers this summer as she had grown out of 2 of hers and some new black leggings. That's all.

Your decision is to be applauded and I hope the start of instilling into your DD a belief in time that clothes should last.

If your DD does feel somehow left out (I hope not), then an opportunity to make start to make her aware of the number of children living in low income families in the UK. And to be considerate to any children in her school in that position.

I don't know anyone who doesn't kit their child out in new uniform for the first day back, unless last term uniform looks brand new. I've lived in a low/upper low income areas. If you are buying new every few months then their size can't be changing. So buy new for yhe first few days, then mix and match. Doesn't a 12 year old want a new backpack etc? The old one can then get used for days out. Take the lead from your DD. If school uniform prepares them for life, then the norm is to wear new or looking new clothes for the first day in a job/interview.