AIBU to be annoyed about the school's more expensive new uniform?

[Uniformfun]

To be so annoyed at DS’s school.
I currently can get his uniform for the following
jumper 5.50
tracksuit bottoms 8.50
pack of polos 10-12quid

the school have decided to look into changing the uniform and the costs are
tracksuit bottoms – from 19.50
Half-zip top – from 26.50
Printed t-shirt – from 10.95
Navy shorts – from 12.95

I currently buy and have enough (hand me downs from sibling) for him to wear fresh every day. And then I do laundry at the weekend.

I am totally against this- there’s no particular reason for the change. It’s just so so expensive imo so I would only buy one or two of said items, which means that I then will have to do laundry mid week! I work full time 😩

why would they do this! I’m so annoyed 😠

Are they expecting you to buy branded or bespoke items? If so, by law branded/bespoke items have to be capped at 3 from September.

We are not in uk so this doesn’t apply. I have no idea. The only thing that doesn’t seem to have a crest on them are the bottoms

I just don’t see the point at all tbh!! I’m Actually fuming!

Is there any guidance about uniforms in your country? It seems bonkers to increase the cost in the middle of a worldwide cost of living crisis. Have you contacted the school to share your thoughts?

You’re definitely not BU, OP.

You probably don’t want to say which country you’re in.

I went to a private school in a mysterious unnamed country 😉 and we had a uniform change at one stage. There was a lot of research, consultation, and then a two-year phase-in period. And this was a relatively affluent community (they often tend to be less wasteful IME!)

I think it’s outrageous to suddenly expect everyone to buy new uniforms and ditch the stuff they already have. Particularly in a cost of living AND environmental crisis.

Well, I messaged them because I want to see the uniform in person, my annoyance is twofold because they decided to share the uniforms with the children and get them excited first and then they sent out the message to the parents about what the thoughts were. In my opinion, they should have arranged something with the parents first.

Agreed 100%. It’s absolutely bonkers. I also think it’s completely tone deaf not to realise that not everyone has unlimited funds (not to mention that the earth doesn’t have infinite resources).

I think I’ve made my feelings clear enough on this thread! I would be pushing back on this OP, if I had the energy. It’s completely unreasonable to do this in the times we’re living in.

I’ve asked a few other parents so far and they all like it…ffs like wtf!

Sadly a lot of people are really wasteful, and inconsiderate of others 🤷‍♀️

When my DC's school changed the uniform, they allowed children to wear the old uniform as so many people handed stuff down. Maybe confirm with the school that they won't punish kids for wearing the old uniform? That at least would solve it in the short term, and then get items of the new uniform second hand from other families over time?

When my school did this we had a year or two where both uniforms were fine. So we didn't have to waste anything that still fit. Have they confirmed all old uniform can't be worn immediately?

I’d pay if it was better quality and everyone looked smarter. My dc only had track suits for sport, so an extra cost anyway. Your first costs are very low and if there’s no restriction on what a school can do, there isn’t snd come back. Sounds like the first set of prices is “slave Labour” rates! Maybe they are looking for ethically produced cotton and garments? I’d support that.

OP, can they not wear their existing uniform until it’s worn out/too small? Most schools, when changing uniform, have a “phasing in” period.

I’ve been at schools where they changed the uniform and there was a notice period of 2 terms and the oldest 2 years were exempt from the change. The parents in those years were asked to buy the new style if they were replacing but old style was allowed for year 5 and 6.

Those were extremely cheap to start off with.

However, it does sound like they’re trying to smarten up the uniform as well, so perhaps they’re moving to better quality too?

Our secondary uniform is similar to your proposed uniform and it's SO expensive. Even their PE socks are school branded! It's ridiculous. There have been complaints even from our MP but nothing has changed.

Tbh the quality is fine it’s like a supermarket chain but the do clothing. I get the polos from next, m&s or Asda online. Whichever has them in stock. Who’s to say that just because the other uniform is more expensive that is better quality? I’ll go mad if I end up buying it and then the crest ends up peeling off or something.

So we have branded
hoodie,
polo,
trousers,
PE socks,
PE shorts,
PE top and
PE jacket

I feel your pain

Is it just the PE uniform that is changing? If yes you should be fine with 1-2 tracksuits, 1-2 shorts, 2 tshirts and 1 jacket, no? How many days a week does he do PE?
Annoying, yes, but for the sake of 100£ a year I wouldn’t make a fuss - especially if other parents don’t care so unlikely that the school would backtrack.

No, the PE uniform is the uniform. They don’t have a smart uniform as such. It’s just a comfortable uniform, so it gets worn every day.

you should be able to wear the old logo items also?
moving forward look to ask a local charity shop to the school if they would mind being the unofficial second hand school uniform shop? Many love this idea and therefor they earn a small amount and also handle all the logistics of it all - plus are open and availabke a lot more than a PTA shop.

The current uniform has no logo at all. 😩