To assume a uniform sweater shouldn’t look like this a 6 weeks after buying it?

[ByBusyTiger]

This is from m&s, bought it about 6 weeks ago and it looks like this. I have two, both look horrific it so I’ve had to go elsewhere and buy more today because I’m not having my son wear this to school.

Socks I bought a month ago from m&s, same thing, faded, look like I’ve had them for years. Had to send wellies back today because they’re filling with water (not m&s)

Uk just a tiring joke at this point
Does anyone know where you can buy uniform that doesn’t look like it was dragged out of a recycling bin a month after purchase?

thanks guys

If you only have two, are you washing and tumble drying them multiple times a week?

UK just a tiring joke at this point

Which of the things you mentioned were manufactured in the UK?

No we have other jumpers too. I have never had this before, we do use a tumble dryer but this is a bit much

Washing things inside out really helps with bobbling. Less friction on the outside of the clothes. Also consider the temperature you at wash at and which other items of clothing you wash them with.

edited as crossed post with OP

The only way I've found to keep any uniform jumper or cardigan looking neat is to avoid tumble drying and wash only on 30. We also make sure to have at least 3 so they are only washed once a week.

M&S shouldn’t even be selling clothes of this quality.

And it’s like this across the UK now. Nothing made properly, even very expensive clothes.

Go abroad and see their quality of clothing

I will try this, thanks

Both of the companies the OP mentioned are UK based. If those companies are choosing to have their clothing manufactured in a country/factory where the quality of the clothing is poor, that is still on those UK companies.

Exactly. What a weird comment above. It’s on m&s to sell me a decently manufactured piece of clothing.

I’m only posting this so some of y’all avoid m&s for uniform and buy it in a place it lasts more than a month.

I know what these companies are doing and I know bad publicity (especially on mn) irritates them. I think it’s really low because some people can’t afford to go and buy it all again…same with school shoes.

As pp said only wash at 30 degrees, and I wouldn’t be tumble drying them if you can avoid it.

Why isn't your DC wearing the proper school jumper with the logo? You'd likely find that they are more hard wearing. My daughter's uniform lasts a good 6-8 months before it wears.

Turn inside out, lower the spin speed & drip dry instead of dryer. Also don't wash unless it needs it. I'm not suggesting re-wearing a smelly jumper, obviously! But we all know that sometimes they really don't need it after one wear (especially if good personal hygiene). Visual inspection, followed by the good old sniff test!
Ultimately though, we shouldn't need to treat school uniform like it's a precious piece of clothing and should be able to throw it in the wash many times before it begins to bobble & fade.

What detergent are you using? Also do you use fabric conditioner?

Also, if you can't buy your school's logo uniform then I highly recommend the uniform from Asda as it has 'Teflon' (?!?) in it and is extremely durable. Very highly acclaimed

Bought two wool jumpers from Uniqlo recently. I wore one JUST ONCE all day under my coat and it had bobbled so badly I couldn't believe it, it looked such a mess. I'd never even washed it. Got money back for both - I hadn't worn the second but they weren't even that cheap and there's no way I'm paying that sort of money for tosh. I expect my clothes to last years. Still jumperless, the ones in M&S don't fill me with confidence tbh..

The school jumpers are paper thin, they feel like plastic too, still better than this though 😁

I think it should be the hardiest of clothing, you’re right. Thank you for the tips, I’ll try that

Fairy detergent and conditioner

I have heard people mention Asda now you say it, I’ll have a look

@VegTrug maybe her child's school doesn't have a branded jumper. Not all schools do. The branded ones are not always better - they are frequently the same mediocre quality clothing, with a school badge embroidered on by someone linked to the school who owns a workwear company.

It is ridiculous how quickly school uniform looks battered. Supermarket uniform can be more robust than M&S, in my experience.

Didn't have an issue with M&S uniform - it lasted till outgrown every time.

It’s really bad right now, isn’t it? We gotta talk about it because I can’t be the only frustrated person and these companies will continue unless we walk.

I can’t even recommend a company here, only a French brand sadly

Asda uniform has worn well for us (young child though).

Stop using fabric conditioner for a start. It is really bad for clothing. It may make it feel soft in the short term but it will shorten the life of the clothes, especially if there is any microfibre in them.

Quality has declined though. I have an M & S t short bought about 12 years ago. It still looks great. A t shirt I bought more recently is of much poorer quality.

Incidentally my kids went to a school with prescribed logo uniform and the first jumpers I bought from there faded on the very first wash so that's no guarantee.

I’ll be trying them next, thank you!

Feel I’m on a monthly uniform subscription here. Last year we went through three pairs of school shoes 😏 Geoxx had a zip that stopped working, Nike had literal holes in them after a couple months. Hush puppy have always been brilliant so I’m sticking with them forever more if anyone’s looking for a rec on shoes.

How many times has it been washed and tumbled? jumpers don't need washed after every wear, I don't tumble them, air dried on my pulley