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.

I only buy what's needed. Why waste money and send more stuff to landfill. At that age I doubt her or her friends will notice who has new and who doesn't.

New shoes every year, but they will last the year (even if barely).

An additional polo shirt or two, an additional jumper or two - the old ones still get worn, but some are now a size, say, 5-6 and some a size 4-5 - the new ones might be a bit bigger and the old ones a bit smaller, but they all generally fit. Only stuff that's obviously too small gets thrown out.

But it's not as easy as just buying a new generic polo shirt set here. All bear a logo and are therefore around £8 each, jumpers even more expensive.

I buy what they need when they need it.
DD2 is wearing the same polo shirts she wore 2 years ago. Her sister wore them for 2 years before that.

I saw a mum I vaguely know, she was on her way into town to finish the uniform shopping. She said she'd spent £600 so far! I don't know what she's buying. She has two DC in Primary and one in Secondary.

I have always bought new every school year, however, unless outgrown I won’t buy anything throughout the school year. This will be the first time my 14 year old will not have new eagles for the school year as I had to replace them a month or so just before they broke up & other than the crease across the toe they’re fine to wear.

I think each to their own, my parents always bought me everything new every school year so I suppose I’ve just followed suit. However I wouldn’t think twice about anyone child rewearing uniform, you get plenty of parents who will hold onto old jumpers to pass on to the younger siblings ect.

I appreciate I’m lucky to be in the financial position to afford this, but yes I do buy my DD new uniform and rucksack/lunchbag/water bottle for the start of each new school year. For a start she normally has outgrown various uniform bits and/or they look discoloured and shabby. As far as the rucksack etc is concerned it’s exciting to start a new academic year with new stuff and she has SEN so I figure any way I can help her fit in/be accepted….

In short, if you can afford it I don’t see the issue in buying new things - if you can’t, then don’t.

I don't think it's necessarily always a question of being able to afford it. (That would give the impression children with well-off parents are always the ones in all new uniform.) DS attends an independent school and most kids at his school won't start with all new stuff. We have a used uniform sale just before the summer holidays, which lots of parents go to to get their children's uniform in the next size up, ready for the new school year. Bags don't tend to get replaced here (they cost £300 when bought new,...DS got a used one for £60 and that'll last him until the end of primary). It's just an unnecessary expense. Considering how the bags, water bottles, lunchboxes and the uniform get treated, they just have to be long-lasting and sturdy. DS has a metal lunchbox and water bottle, both of which weren't cheap but last quite a while. They take them outside to the playground during breaks, where they often get kicked/stumbled over accidentally or knocked over by flying footballs at times.
Uniform gets replaced when needed. His school jumpers cost £45 each, while his PE top is £30. Most of the parents I know try to buy second hand.

This year I've bought new shoes for both, shirts for DC1 and cardigans for DC2. That's it.
DC1 could do with new trousers (current ones still just fit) but getting the right size has been tricky so I'll try again in a few weeks once the rush is over.
DC2 is wearing last year's stuff plus stuff kept from DC1. DC2 in Yr6 so I've said I'm not buying any more uniform for that school, it'll have to last the year! (Shoes excepted obviously)

We get new lunch boxes, shoes and polo shirts every year but everything else is reused if it's in good condition

My parents used to buy everything new in September, no idea why because they didn't have a huge amount of disposable income and it must have cost a fortune but trips to BHS and Staples was a yearly thing.

I wonder if it's because uniform is available all year around in supermarkets and at the push of a button online nowadays. The younger generations are more mindful of waste so want it less. I think generally most people use last years bits apart from maybe a refresh where necessary and probably afresh jumper for the 'essential' by the front door back to school photo.

I used to get DD new things as she needed them and often she grew in summer. She's at high school now and thinks the idea of getting new stuff just because there was a 6 week holiday is ludicrous after I offered to buy her a new pencil case.

I would just get her feet measured to make sure she is still the same size in school shoes

I would do similar to you if my DD went to a private school but the costs are just not comparable to state - I thought I was splurging on her school bag (Smiggle) and it was about £30, not £300!!! 😱 If I had the sort of expenses you have listed I would definitely look to buy secondhand if at all (ie if old items could be reused, uniform still fitted etc).

This year all 3 of mine needed new shirts/polos, one needed trousers, 2 needed shoes/trainers. None needed bags, lunchbox etc

I do wonder when people say they buy "everything". Do they mean the PE jumper thats barely worn, or the expensive blazer... or is it just shirts, trousers etc?
Our school skirts ate £30 fir example.

Have you had her feet measured? You’ve mentioned black trainers, what about her school shoes?

We have to buy new unbranded polo shirts every year as they are stained from sun cream etc. School shoes usually need replacing as their feet have grown in a year.

My DD is at an independent school, and we have just done the 'trying on' session. Blouses are 'new' to her this term, but handed down from DD1. Blazer - still fits, same one as the last 2 yrs. skirts - same as last yr, and also handed down. Bag - still fine, same as last 2 yrs. PE kit - all handed down from DD1. Shoes are new, to be fair, she had outgrown the last pair, and they have very different shaped feet, but I would absolutely hand them down if I could.

For me it's not a question of affordability, it's about sustainability, reducing waste, and nobody worth worrying about cares or even notices (least of all the other kids).

Year 2 they are developing their interest. My GC have had pokemon and a Barbie. Then something else and a heart/flower kath kidston. They've also personalised via clip on charms etc. It's cinnamoroll and hello kitty this term. Was DH's school bag army and navy etc? That and the LK Bennett dress is a different matter, it's an expensive dress so would last that long. Your budget might be a lot higher than most people's for backpacks, because most don't stand up to the slinging about and being left outside etc. If people don't donate to charity shops there'll be nothing to buy, so you could consider it.

Who is posting that shit on Facebook???

I guess so. DH's is an Eastpack, so looking at it and the basic equivalent is £35-50 now. And given that I'm skeptical about quality today Vs 30 years ago it probably wouldn't last 3 decades anymore...but still, I bet it would last a while. I'd be interested on the maths of one backpack for 30 years Vs a new one every year to match changing tastes. I guess you choose your path! I'd go for more environmentally friendly, and cheaper in the long run.

No. I haven't. I bought her a pair of school shoes last year however they were covered in scuffs and scratches after the first week so had to be binned.

It's mostly people I went to school with.

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to post. 💐
I don't feel so bad now.😅

Definitely don’t buy anything new unless it’s really needed. They don’t have pencil cases or get a choice of backpack anyway and I don’t want to give any more money than I have to the awful school uniform shop! So absolutely DS wears his sister’s faded polos- they cost £17 so unless they’re holey or outgrown they will be reworn because I feel mugged off enough for a £140 blazer for a 7 year old…

She's only moving up a year. If there's nothing wrong with her old ones, I wouldn't be buying a new one.

I can understand wanting all nice new stuff to start a new school but TBH my son is starting secondary school on Tuesday and I haven't got him a new bag either 😄he likes his old one and it's fine, so why would I?

Don't get guilted or sucked in, OP, you know what your child needs!

£140 for a blazer for a 7 year old??

I am shocked at both the price and the fact that 7 year olds are in blazers!

My 11 year old is going to be wearing a blazer going into secondary school and his was only £38!!

Where is the school and what the bloody hell are these blazers made from? spun gold?